To throw a little support behind Chaim and add to ToxicMunkee's and safeinsane's story as well...


My dad never forced me to play any sport. He never told me what he did so as not to influence my decisions in what I wanted to do. When I came to him and said, "Hey dad, I kind of want to try this" - he would dedicate his time in getting me involved and would always make sure he drove me to practice/games/meets etc.

Only after I was involved in something did he tell me whether or not he had experience with it. Weirdly enough, I mirrored my dad almost perfectly in everything we did.

When middle/high school rolled around he never really came to my events. He was busy and I often got ride with friends or he would drop me off and then pick me up. This never bothered me because I was there because I loved the sport and for no other reason.

I got involved with track and field eventually and after showing a few years of interest my dad informed me that he too did track and actually was on the Russian Olympic team (how's that for dropping bombs on your kids :p). He had never told me this before and he never pressured me into doing anything. When I asked for his help, he gave it, when I told him to let me figure it out and do it my way, he backed off.

I ended up graduating ranked top 10 in the country in the hammer throw. I was a USA Track and Field Junior Olympic Regional champion, and ended up taking 4th at Nationals to end my high school career.

Now I'm at Stanford, the most dominant athletic school in the country, still doing track because I love it. My dad hasn't been to a meet yet and I have no problem with it, because I still call him after practice everyday and talk about what I did. He gives me his support and advice when I ask for it and doesn't impose anything else on me.

Let kids do it because they enjoy it. If they ask for your help, give it, but if they are well-adjusted enough to do it on their own, let them.

My dad is the best dad in the whole world and I wouldn't trade him for anything. I remember feeling left out when I was young and all the kids had their dad's at all their games yelling advice, etc but now I truly understand and appreciate what my dad did for me - he let me foster my own love for sport rather than force his love onto me.

Thanks Dad!