The Kids and Their Game

A few years ago, I was a member of a mission group that traveled to Nuevo Progresso, Mexico. The purpose of our trip was to build homes for a Mexican family. Included in our group were two pre-teens and two teens.

As we worked, some of the kids in the neighborhood came over to watch what we were doing and they and our kids got together in that very natural way that kids do things. They talked and got acquainted; the difference in language was not a barrier.

But they simply had to do more than talk with each other. Kids are designed for playing games. Soon there appeared an old but serviceable soccer ball (football) and the games began. They played hard. They had a lot of fun. They laughed a lot. Nobody kept score. The lineups were different every time they played. If someone scored a goal, the other “team” took the ball and came right back. We adults didn’t participate in any way; we just enjoyed watching them. We didn’t take over and give them rules or do any “coaching.” They were kids playing a kids’ game and enjoying the game and enjoying each other.

Now let’s take a look at what we’re doing. We have our kids playing kids’ games, such as Soccer, in organized teams and leagues. We have put them into uniforms and given them names so as to establish an identity for the team. We have formalized the rules, the playing field, the length of time to be played. We have determined that in each event, there is to be a winner and a loser. We have brought in or designated coaches to help the kids improve their performance. We have made it possible for parents and other spectators to watch them play their game by having the games played in the evenings and weekends. We have built playing fields with lights and we have provided seats for the spectators.

Within those constraints, it is essential that we keep all of the positive features of the game in perspective. Furthermore, and perhaps above all, we must not replace the joy of playing the game for the kids with the needs and goals of Coaches and Parents. If we adults are to participate, we must do so by becoming responsible members of the team and we must share, with our kids, all of the joys and pains that are the natural elements of the venture.

Are the kids on your team, in your league, in your home, having as much fun playing their game as did our kids and the kids in Nuevo Progresso? If not, why not? What has gotten in the way? I believe that kids can have as much fun in an organized league, with uniforms, with rules, with coaching, with spectators, with winning and success, and yes, even with losing, but it's going to take a lot of hard work, right thinking, and right action by those of us who have leadership responsibility.

Before we left Nuevo Progresso, our group bought some gifts to leave with our new friends. Among the gifts were two new ‘footballs’ for the kids.