Is it a good thing to force a child to play sports or ride a bike if

[Zyzzyx]

Let's suppose you have a better idea. Wouldn't that put you in the same position relative to her as she is to her son?

[letterstoheather]

so the mother is over-compensating because the boy doesn't have a dad.

i have a son whose father wasn't in the picture, either, and i let him do what he found interesting. he was a good wrestler. he tried baseball but didn't like it, and was never interested in football at all. i never tried to push him into doing things he wasn't interested in.

I don't think it's a good idea to force a child into activities if they don't find it fun... sports are supposed to be fun and enjoyable and something we do voluntarily. at least, that's my view.

[Leta]

you should never force a child into anything let them be there self they need freedom let them have fun let them try it if they hated it let them stop

[Kat]

Physical activity is good for kids but it doesn't have to be sports teams or karate classes just because they're trendy. Maybe she should get him into something he actually likes so he doesn't end up resenting it. Too many parents read those formulaic parenting books suggesting that these activities are necessary for kids - but most kids just don't fit the formula.