Soccer

[Guest guest]

Hi everyone,

 

My son Owen is 7 and in second grade. He largely does very well in school, has a few friends and minimal issues with behavior, etc. My husband is a big soccer fan and was a player in HS, and decided this year that Owen should experience team sports, so we put him on the under 8 team in our town. My husband signed up to be the assistant coach of the team so they could spend time together, and so he could keep an eye on Owen.

 

We are now three weeks into the twice weekly soccer season, and it isn't going well. Owen goes to the practice and the games without complaint, but once he gets there he barely pays attention. He skips after the other boys instead of running, seems mildly afraid of the ball and politely steps back so the other boys can kick it when it comes close to him. Personally this doesn't bother me that much - so long as he's not complaining I think it's good for him to be outside, getting exercise and interacting with other boys. My husband, on the other hand, is getting very depressed about it, and I fear, just now coming to grips with the fact that our son has a disability.

 

Owen was diagnosed when he was 3 so we've had plenty of time to get used to this, but we've been able to overcome a lot of his issues through hard work, tutors, constant redirection and lots of love and affection. Owen is a wonderful, funny, caring and incredibly artistic little boy - and not particularly interested in sports.

 

His younger brother, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. My husband is coaching his under 6 team as well, and Jake (4.5 years old) is the star player.

 

Again, I don't relaly care if Owen ever plays pro soccer, I just want him to be healthy and happy. I know my husband wants the same things for him, but I worry that this experience will change the way he looks at his son. Any advice?