I played youth sports. My daughters were/are cheerleaders. I don't think my wife nor I ever missed a game. But that's all WE ever did. WE did not go to every practice. We did not enroll them in cheer/gym classes to which we had to take them constantly. THEY were cheerleaders, not us.
I also played youth sports and my dad wasn't able to attend many of my games due to working shift work. I now know how it made him feel when he would miss a game...I hate missing out on anything my girls do.
My 8th grade daughter is a high school softball player (JV and was just asked to play with the varsity in some upcoming tournaments), volleyball player, basketball player, scholar's bowl participant, SGA president, PSAT (Principal-Student Advisory Team) member, President of the NJHS, has won or placed in the top 3 in the county wide spelling bee since she was in 4th grade, was 2nd in the county wide speech contest last year, and puts in numerous volunteer hours. My 8 year old is just now getting into playing sports, but previously took gymnastics, tap, ballet, and acrobats. I worked shift work since before my oldest was born and missed out on a LOT of her activities. I am now working 4 days a week and attend everything I am able to attend. Do I miss out on doing stuff I want to do? Absolutely, and I wouldn't trade it for the world. You only have so much time with your kids before they are grown.
