According to the American Psychological Association, two in five youngsters drop out of a sports program. The reasons voiced most often include:
conflicts with the coach
lack of enjoyment
loss of interest in the sport
insufficient playing time
would rather play another sport
too much else to do
an overly competitive atmosphere
too much stress and pressure
not performing up to the standards they’ve set for themselves
It is a child’s right to share in the decision to end involvement in a sport. If your child comes to you with a desire to quit an athletic program, gather as many facts as you can. Listen to and discuss her reasons. If there is a way to rectify the situation, perhaps by speaking to the coach, offer to do so. However, while we don’t want to see children fall into a pattern of avoiding difficult situations, sometimes dropping out is the most reasonable course of action.