How to be intentional about sports as a dad

Sports! Now there’s something we can sink our teeth into! I mean, who doesn’t like to watch and talk about sports? Yes, I understand there are some guys who just aren’t into sports at all. That’s cool. But for the rest of us: SPORTS! Whether it’s football, baseball, basketball, soccer, tennis, or golf—and then any of the other number of professional or college sports—there are plenty of things to watch. But have you thought about how you can be more intentional with your kids when it comes to sports? In this post, we explore how the godly dad can get intentional about sports.

I recently wrote how the godly father can be intentional about education and health. Don’t miss those posts. As father and husband, your family needs you to be the leader in your home—in every area. It’s why Manhood Journey published their Field Guides.

If you have developed a love for sports, what are you doing to intentionally keep some sort of balance related to sports? Yes. We all know some guys (and you may be one of them) who will spend an entire day or weekend watching sports on TV—to the exclusion of everything and anyone else.

First of all, that’s not healthy for your relationships with your wife and kids. Second, sitting and watching sports is great, but what about getting out and playing some. While most dads love sports, many dads, when it comes to their kids, can become crushed by the weight of all that comes with sports for their kids. It can be a life-changing schedule that’s tough to keep up with the long term.

Priorities

Whether it’s basketball, football, baseball, tennis, disc golf, or any number of adult recreation leagues, playing sports is one way to be intentional with your time. However, just as with watching sports on television, make sure to guard your time to ensure sports don’t take over your family time.

While sports may be at the top of your list of things to do, you have to make sure you are still making time for your family and for your work. So, does that mean sports can’t be a part of your free time? Not at all. The key is balance, intentionality, and inclusion.

“The focused father is intentional about sports.”

The focused father is intentional about sports.

When it comes to sports and family, there are plenty of opportunities to teach your kids a love for sports and to participate with them—with balance. But, let me be clear, the unfocused father doesn’t see sports as a personal connecting point between he and his child. The unfocused father is basically doing the league minimum when it comes to intentionality and sports.

If little Johnny plays baseball. Great, but instead of coaching or getting to know the coaches—or even connecting relationally with the other parents on the child’s team—the unfocused dad is the guy who may attend a game here or there and yell “swing batta batta!” but not redeem the time spent on the field as a way of connecting with his child.

Here are some ideas to move from being an unfocused father to being a focused father when comes to sports:

Use walking, jogging, and running together as training and preparation for a 5K, 10K, or marathon together. This provides a lot of quality time for conversation and relationship building.
Find a sport you can play together such as golf, tennis or racquetball. Some sports are harder to hold a conversation and compete in — but you get the idea. Do something together.
Take your kids to sporting events and teach them to have a love for the game. Explain what is happening, explain the rules, and enjoy cheering together. Tell your child stories of your favorite teams and players as you grew up. Your child may hate this—but you’ll have fun! No, seriously, if your child doesn’t appreciate it now, he or she will later.
Pick favorite teams in different sports and watch the games together on television. The key is being intentional in watching together. Talk between plays and timeouts. Enjoy each others’ company while doing this activity.
Volunteer as a youth coach. This gives you a lot of time with your kids as well as allowing you to enjoy teaching and demonstrating a sport to your kids.

Question: Are you winning or losing with how you spend your evenings and weekends—watching sports, playing sports, or attending sporting activities for your kids? Tell us in the comments below, tweet @manhoodjourney or email us.

Feel unfocused at home and in life?

You can be more intentional. Focused Father helps you get the focus you need to thrive where it matters most.

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