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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 5:06pm | IP Logged
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Anyone have ideas for alternatives to organized sports, especially for sons who need to get out that energy. I know my older brother was one who *needed* to do things and *loved* football. Actually I love it, too, and alll sports, but since realizing that not all sports are modest, I'm looking for alternatives that you or your kids enjoy to get out energy and enjoy running around that are more modest.
The main reason do not do organized sports because of all the exposure to the "ick" of the world at practices, games, events, competitions. We don't go out to a lot of places or things (esp. in Summer) because of how surrounded one is not only by immodesty , but all the way people act (swearing, innuendo, etc.), there is so much that our kids as homeschoolers are not exposed to, this is the main reason for homescholing, and so we choose to avoid exposure to the same by being careful what we attend, as well. It is not only for their sake, but our own, when one backs away from the world to a degree one gains an eye-opening look at how bad things are out there, and we want to guard our souls, as well. I don't believe we are unhealthily extreme, and I don't want to open up a huge discussion or attack on our decisions, merely to state a bit of our reason for asking this question. WE have been reading some of the saints lately and they, in their day, spoke often of not going out to many of the public events of their times, fairs, etc. If they condemned such things then, I'm sure they would say the same, if not even more now. One quote says if you desire to preserve chastity,love your own fireside. "If the candle is to kept alight, it must be put into a lantern; so if you desire to live chastely, bware of going too much abroad" - St. Thomas Aquinas
I would love some ideas of alternatives, especially that you may enjoy as a family, or that can be done by only a couple of boys. One son in particualr is very athletic and active at 13 mo, and I believe he will need these types of outlets. And I'm looking for good alternatives for myslef, I love sports and miss them sometimes. Any other tomboyish yet feminine Moms out there with ideas? Or ideas for sons from those who also choose to avoid organized sports or such?
Oh, and we have plenty of room for them to run on 20 acres, so that is not an issue when it comes to ideas.
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JodieLyn
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Hiking is a lovely thing to do.. difficult to get to often.. but is such a fun family thing to do.. parents and teens can carry the littlest ones in backpacks or other carriers, mid-sized kids can pack along water and snacks. littles that are big enough to walk the whole way are in charge of keeping up with everyone else without adding a load 
Do you or could you have a garden? or at least flower beds that could be worked by hand.. turning soil with a shovel for instance.. mowing/weeding/raking can be done for the family or as a business and/or as a service to others who may not be able to easily do that on their own.
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guitarnan
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 5:19pm | IP Logged
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I think you stated your decision-making process well. I appreciate that you respect the decisions of other families, too.
Do you have other neighbors/homeschoolers who enjoy sports? With so much land, you could start a backyard badminton tournament or something like that. Our neighborhood basketball hoop is popular whenever the temperature is over 40 degrees...
I remember LOVING my backyard tetherball as a kid. Everyone at school played tetherball at recess and we all had the "home game" as well. (It's great - you can punch the ball without harming anything. And you can play alone for practice, too.)
While it doesn't burn off much energy, archery can be very good for kids. Both of mine really enjoy this sport; it encourages concentration and form. Again, with so much land, you could easily create a safe archery range.
We've done organized sports in the past (and enjoyed them - mainly on military bases where civility is encouraged) but now we're down to archery, cycling (there are trails here) and, of course, Irish dance. (By the way, dance burns off energy, too - although it can be expensive. You have to choose your studio carefully, but family-friendly studios that emphasize modesty and team spirit really do exist.)
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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LeeAnn
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 5:24pm | IP Logged
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So with 20 acres are you farming? Do you have animals? Are there improvements that need to be made to the property--like fence building or building a shed? Does your house need painting or the siding need scrubbing or sanding? Then there's the venerable activity of chopping firewood.  I would think this would provide plenty of opportunities for physical exertion. Otherwise, you could also invest in some home gym type equipment or a pool for lap swimming. There is also hiking with the family or with others--it is an activity that is not usually laden with the same kinds of distractions as organized sports.
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Maddie
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 5:36pm | IP Logged
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Pilgrim wrote:
there is so much that our kids as homeschoolers are not exposed to, this is the main reason for homescholing, and so we choose to avoid exposure to the same by being careful what we attend, as well. It is not only for their sake, but our own, when one backs away from the world to a degree one gains an eye-opening look at how bad things are out there, and we want to guard our souls, as well. I don't believe we are unhealthily extreme, and I don't want to open up a huge discussion or attack on our decisions, merely to state a bit of our reason for asking this question. WE have been reading some of the saints lately and they, in their day, spoke often of not going out to many of the public events of their times, fairs, etc. If they condemned such things then, I'm sure they would say the same, if not even more now. One quote says if you desire to preserve chastity,love your own fireside. "If the candle is to kept alight, it must be put into a lantern; so if you desire to live chastely, bware of going too much abroad" - St. Thomas Aquinas
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We decided early on that we would also stay close to our own hearth, especially in the early years. We know it is impossible to keep all the ick out and eventually they WILL have to deal with it but we hoped that when they were older they would be repulsed by what they saw and learned from the world because they experienced a beautiful culture within the home. We wanted them to know that a holy Catholic life is possible, despite what the world will tell them later.
For our family, we have invested a lot of time in reenacting and learning old trades. My oldest, 19, is an apprentice to a tinsmith and is presently making me a chandelier for candles, and my 15 yo son is apprenticed to a blacksmith and is building his own forge in the barn. Not exactly athletic, but very manly in their own right. My budding blacksmith comes home exhausted after pounding with that hammer all day.
The children love to dress in period clothing! Depending on the period you choose, your kids could take up reenacting battles and learning history besides!
My boys and girls have been in a gun club, (my 17 yo daughter can out shoot her brothers) and have taken archery, both are things they can continue on their own on our property. We decided we wanted them to acquire hobbies that they could continue in to adulthood that didn't require a team to accomplish it.
The children also took clogging and performed for several years, dancing takes a lot of energy! And it is something you can do as a family. My older two also took some ballroom dancing classes.
I know a family that does a lot of walking for good causes, the crowds there are usually pretty family friendly too (such as a CPC fundraiser). They are in great shape too.
These are some things that our family has done and it has worked well for us. 
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guitarnan
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 6:28pm | IP Logged
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Clogging is mega-cool and so fun to watch!
And isn't there a Catholic college that offers ballroom dancing as a PE activity?
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Helen
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Just this week I was wondering if I could set up an informal tennis court in my yard. I haven't tried it so I don't know if it would work.
I think I would need a net and a few racquets. My parents used to have a hand push lawn cutter. It had many blades and you pushed it. I thought with something like that they could keep the lawn short. A little lyme or spray paint could mark the lines.
A friend suggested looking for a high school student to give the children a few lessons.
I probably should stick to badminton. That would work!
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 6:46pm | IP Logged
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Gotta answer this quick, I'm getting ready to make supper. The idea of work and livestock care is good. Yes we do farm after a fashion, growing a number of the seeds we carry for our heirloom seed business. We love gardening as a family. we want to have livestock, we just can't do justice to it right now with 3 in diapers and a new home business. We love walks and hiking, too. Tetherball and volleyball we do have here, thanks for the reminder.
Looking forward to continued ideas, esp. in the sports we can do together as a family, or outdoor games you all enjoy together. I just sometimes need a refresher on ideas KWIM?
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guitarnan
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 7:02pm | IP Logged
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Good old-fashioned kickball is still popular - our homeschool co-op kids really enjoy playing it on park days.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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Maddie
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Oh.  I misunderstood what you were looking for, you want something sporty not just physical.
Croquet? We play that a lot as a family.
Hope you find the activity you're looking for!
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Pilgrim
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 8:49pm | IP Logged
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Oh no, Maddie, I liked all the ideas! I just was speed reading before supper and somehow missed yours. All of these have been wonderful ideas.
I love the apprentice ideas. My dh best friend built his own forge when he was young, too. I think that is so cool.
We like croquet too, I forgot about it! I'll have to keep my eyes out for a set.
Oh, and badminton, we could easily get the stuff for that, we already have the volleyball net, and you can play badminton with less people.
Yes, chopping wood is great. 2 yo ds already *loves* hauling wood, he almost seems like he's going to loose it, he gets so excited over such "guy" things. Actually I like hauling wood too, I'm the one always trying to get dh out to cut wood!
Actually I love ballroom dancing, but don't think dh would. Maybe...someday. I took a private class with my best friend in highschool.....I had to do the guy parts. It was so fun! I've always thought clogging was cool but don't think I could do it... but maybe dc would get into it someday.
Thanks for the ideas everybody.
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SeaStar
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I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about these, and there is a safety concern.... but a trampoline? If you have a net around it and enforce a one at a time rule, it is safer that way and a great way to burn off energy.
We take an old fashioned family walk every night after dinner (when weather permits). My kids love this.... especially in the winter when we go by flashlight. It is fun to see all the seasonal changes and look for animals/birds.
I always loved lawn darts as a kid, as well as just playing all those old games... red light/green light. mother may I, freeze tag, etc.
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guitarnan
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Oh, darts! Fun!
Bocce ball is fun as well. (AKA petanque, if you speak French.)
Navy folks love playing horseshoes, too. (I can hear the clank sounds now, in my mind!)
Butterfly nets...all that running around...so many butterflies, so few actual captures...
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JodieLyn
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| Posted: April 09 2010 at 10:03pm | IP Logged
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some summer ideas
running in the sprinkler.. even the grown ups.. at least once.. it feels so good on a hot day.
flash light tag if you're up late enough for it to be dark.. you tag with the light.
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guitarnan
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Just look for gopher holes during daylight hours.
Ask my dd. She fell into a (known!) gopher hole during flashlight tag last year. It took weeks for the scrapes to heal up.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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JodieLyn
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oh yes nancy.. I'm so glad your dd only got scrapes though.. I've know people to break bones like that.
Definately use some of the energy into make a safe "playing field"
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Helen
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My son mentioned frisbee golf.
I looked it up on the internet. It's a game played in a park or large yard. The players agree on certain landmarks like a tree or light post to be the "holes." Keep track of how many throws of the frisbee it takes to hit the mark.
I think it sounds like a lot of fun!
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It is fun...it's also called "disc golf." There are competitive leagues for this sport.
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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SeaStar
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Do you have a space to set up a basketball hoop? That is a lot of fun.
Also- designing and building obstacle courses is fun for kids... then, of course, running them....
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jumpropes! individual ones.. and a couple of long ones so they can jump with two turners.. single rope and maybe even double dutch.
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: Alternatives to organized sports?
