A Parent's Dilemma

This week D-man started to play tackle football. Although Marshall and I were not at all excited about him playing, with our football craziness  - we love college football, cheer on the Broncos, and I'm in two fantasy leagues - it's not surprising he wants to play. Last year when we watched the Louisville Parade of Lights, he saw the Louisville Pirates' float to by and told me "I want to play for them." There was likely no going back. 

On a positive note, we got the last remaining spot on the team. On a negative note, we got the last remaining spot on the team. 

D-man is one of 3 new kids on the team so it has been rough first week. After the first practice, he stated it wasn't what he thought it would be (even though we talked to him about the drills, how hard it would be, and the likely stern coaches. 

I cried on Monday night as I worried how my gentle-souled son was going to be "coached" to be aggressive. He's already going to grow up too quickly and here we are sending him off to grow up even faster. 

It's now Saturday morning and I've already dropped off D-man at his 8:00 practice - the 4th of the week (I guess I should be happy it's not every day practice like swim team). He's pretty quiet about practice and last night couldn't get to sleep. Part of me wants him to love it because it is so hard to see your own child so dejected. But, part of me wants him to get it out of his system and move on to the next thing. 

It's only the first week so we will see what happens. In the meantime, we will support and nuture our son and hope for the best - whatever that might be.