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I suppose the incentive starts young. Notice how the girls are beginning to join in the action. When I was young we usually sat in the air raid shelter and sang songs.
posted by
C_C_T
on February 21, 2026 at 11:47 AM
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I have seen that happen many times in youth sports where the fun is taken out of it. The parents are trying to live through the kids. In those extreme examples, you'll have parents physically fighting one another or with the coaches or officials.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on February 21, 2026 at 10:27 AM
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My kids grew up before social media was a thing. They were out of the house and onto the ball diamond - up the block from us - riding bikes, exploring the woods, coming home for meals and the rule was they had to be in the yard when the street lights came on. I agree with you that Norway has the right idea.
posted by
Pat_B
on February 21, 2026 at 6:16 AM
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Some kids are just clumsy but if it is just fun then it doesn't matter and they aren't classed as losers.Some of those youngsters can be entirely different when they grow up, and then they are ready for the competition of adult life where you learn to lose some and win others.
posted by
Kabu
on February 20, 2026 at 7:15 PM
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I like the idea of playing for fun. We have our adult lives to be competitive so childhood should be anxiety free and doing things for one's own satisfaction. Norway is headed to win their 11th winter Olympics. When my kids were young and playing sports so many parents thought their kid was the next major league baseball player or basketball or football, etc. I would just say to myself, look at the numbers 53 players on pro football team (1,696 for the league), 13 for basketball (390 players for league) and 25 for baseball (750 for the league). The odds are not in their favor!!!! Norway has it right, life long exercise because it started out as a fun thing to do!
posted by
sam444
on February 20, 2026 at 7:00 PM
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Good Evening
BearcatMike, I like the idea of having fun, which leads to success. It puts the emphasis on enjoying what they are doing instead of just competition. I'm so happy to know that this is what they are doing in Norway. I wish we would do that here.
posted by
Goldiec
on February 20, 2026 at 5:17 PM
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