Missing Games Teaches Kids the Importance of Commitment

In my eyes, that commitment means being a coach when I can, even if my own son isn’t playing for any reason.

Sometimes we have to miss youth sports games – whether it’s a child not playing or a parent not watching. Unless illness or injury is involved, the missed game is usually due to another commitment.

The commitments might be important birthday parties, a school dance or any of a number of other personal, family or social reasons. And sometimes, those commitments teach a child just that – the importance of honoring a commitment. Last week my son had two games scheduled to tip off at the same time – the only time it happened the entire season. For a variety of good reasons, he chose to play for the team on which I wasn’t the assistant coach. While he tipped off in one gym, I sat on the team bench in another.