I'm writing this at 2pm on what I think is likely the last Christmas that my kids will believe in Santa.
This morning was magical. And not because of what they got - my wife and I don't go overboard on presents for them - but because of how excited they were to leave cookies and milk for Santa, how excited they were to write their wish lists, and how excited they were to wake up this morning to see what was under the tree.
Their innocence and childhood joy, amplified by Christmas and the anticipation leading up to it, was on one hand so much fun for my wife and I to watch, but on the other, a little sad because I think that it will be the last time that they truly will feel this way.
Times like these are precious and fleeting, and I'll be forever grateful to have enjoyed these last few years of Christmases with our little ones.
After soaking in the joy of this morning, both theirs and ours, I couldn't help but think of the similarity between the finite amount of time that all kids get to find true joy in Christmas, and the finite amount of time that kids get to find true joy in playing sports.
Unfortunately, 70% of all kids who play youth sports will quit before they turn 12, which means that most of you reading this only have a few years left of going to the field to watch your kids play sports!
Only a few more years to have a burger with them at the snack shack after a game.
Only a few more years to hang out in the stands with other parents, some of whom I'm sure are becoming lifelong friends.
And while I've made it my mission in life to help keep kids playing baseball (and sports in general) as long as possible, the statistics don't lie. And even for those of you with kids who will make it to high school sports or beyond, it will never be as much fun for them, or you, as it is when they're kids.
So just like the "Christmas Window" of childhood joy closes quickly, so too will the "Sports Window" of youth sports joy and I think it's incredibly important for all us parents and coaches to remember that fact, and to above all else, make sure that we are doing everything we can to help our kids enjoy every moment, while we also do the same.
Soon, whether it's when they are 12 or a few years later, your son's sports career will end and when you look back on these years, what a shame it will be if you realize, once it's too late, that you spent your time detracting from their joy by putting too much pressure on them or by burning them out or yelling at them from the stands or by emphasizing winning too much.
What a shame it will be if you realize, once it's too late, that you spent too much time worrying about playing time or what position they were playing or which club team they played on or whether or not they won a meaningless tournament in December instead of finding the joy of just watching them compete, watching them challenge themselves, and watching them find the joy in playing sports with their friends.
Here's the good news though: if your son is still playing sports, it's NOT too late to change your priorities or alter your perspective!
It's not too late to sit in the stands at the next game (no matter what sport it is) and think, "Wow, am I lucky to watch my son play!" instead of "Why is THAT kid starting and not mine?!?" or "Can you believe how bad that ref was?!?"
It's not too late to experience youth sports the same way you experienced Christmas morning; with incredible gratitude that you get to watch your son experience childhood joy.
Sadly, just like Christmas, that joy that won't last forever, but if your son is playing sports right now, or is signed up for Little League (I hope they are!), you can choose to start experiencing youth sports the exact same way...and you can start immediately at their next game!
Because as I'm starting to realize as my own kids get older...blink and you'll miss it.
Happy Holidays, and remember to always Play Hard, and HAVE FUN!