Is Your Family Over Invested in Youth Hockey

Youth hockey is an amazing sport, one that can provide many long-term benefits to your child. However, there is such a thing as being too invested in the sport. If you feel that your child and/or your whole family may be a little too into the game, consider the red flags of an over-investment in the sport.

You’re Going Broke   

It’s no secret that youth hockey is expensive. Between the coaching costs, the uniforms, and the equipment, even casual athletes and their families will invest a lot.

However, consider your own finances carefully. Are you struggling to pay bills because you’re devoting too much money to extra ice time? Are your other children going without so the “hockey star” in the family can continue to play?

If the financial demands of hockey are causing other responsibilities to suffer, it’s probably time to take a step back. This isn’t to say that you have to give up the sport, but you may want to be more careful with your money and spend on the sport more carefully.

You Don’t Miss a Game or Practice for Anything

What if your child came to you, feeling incredibly sick, on the day of a major game?

Would you tell the child to go back to bed and call the doctor? Or, would you force the child to play and save the doctor’s visit for later?

If you answered the latter, you may need to reevaluate your devotion to the sport. When you start to put getting to games and practices in front of everything else, like a sick child or a family emergency, you’re probably too invested.

Hockey truly is a wonderful sport. But, the most wonderful thing of all is your child and your relationship with him or her. If the balance starts to get a bit uneven and you’re caring about the sport more than what matters most, it’s time to do some thinking and make some changes.