I will be your biggest fan

Children find interests in recreational activities at an early age. Most activities at this age are soccer, softball, cheerleading, and dance. Other activities exist, but these seem to be the most popular sports between the ages of 5 and 7. There are several organizations that offer these sports, but most parents register their children for the nearest league, and the one where most other classmates/neighbors go. There are many reasons for choosing a specific program, but the major decision is price and convenience.
I am not opposed to my children joining a team. I find it to be very beneficial to a child's upbringing, that they learn collaboration. Team spirit, a joint force, and a fortress of spirit. Stand tall, stand proud, and do your best. It is not always about winning, but rather the success you feel in the action. Practices join together these young individuals, and these little ones form a friendship, a unity. When it is game day, they feed off of each others energies, and desires. Their weekly practices have gotten them thus far. Far enough to put them on a calendar against an opposing team. Usually the next town over, when young.
My issue, as a parent, is not the children, nor is it the money involved. It is rather the parents acting like a child. I am of no innocence to the realities of this. I had never been exposed to organizations as a child, I did most sports through my church. As a parent, these church sports do not exist for my children, and I am inclined to give nearly all of MY paycheck up for a Summer of early mornings, tight up-do's, and my kids now fighting me for their sleep! "Mommy don't play that!" You wanted this, GET THE HELL UP! Four nights a week of practice at nearly three hours per night for my daughter, and two nights for my little man. These sports entail so much time from the children at the end of their Summer, that it is truly agonizing to a parent who dedicates his or her time to get their child there, but some even dedicate their time to the team. I was an assistant coach, and can tell you that the amount of time spent at practices was rewarding in the end, but hard on me during that time. I worked, came home, made a quick dinner, and off I went. My daughter loved having me there, but I have to admit, that coaching your own child is challenging. As a parent, you seem to focus more on your own child at practices, then the others. You role your eyes, hold your breath, and once in the car? You release on to your child! So, in the interim of it all, I questioned myself. "Self, are you doing this for her, or for you?" I have yet to answer that question. I believe that I did it for her, and for me. I wanted to show her my support, and learn the sport and all it entails. I gained a knowledge and a whole new respect for cheerleaders. It is a sport. It is physical, and it does take courage.
What path my children decide to venture on next, is a path unknown to me. Their minds have changed. My daughters is so diverse. Her interest are from dance to Basketball! Suddenly my girly-girl is not so girl afterall. My son? All karate. All that I can do, and my husband, is support their ideas, wants, and interests. Provide them with the encouragement needed from a parent, and participate in their interests 100%
I will support the likes of my children, and do my hardest to assist them in these aspirations. I will encourage their dreams, be on the sidelines cheering them on, and be their biggest fan.