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Always #LikeAGirl Wants Our Daughters To Keep Playing

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We never shy away from a good game!

But that wasn’t always the case and you know what? It was my fault. I was raised to believe that girls shouldn’t play sports. I was raised in a town where sports teams were reserved for boys. That’s what I knew. I did gymnastics because… that was the “girl” sport. So, when I became a mom, it took me some time to crack that shell. And thank goodness I did. My daughter is as happy as can be hopping from one sports team to the next. She plays soccer and lacrosse, gymnastics and swimming. She even wants to start softball! A far cry from her mom. Thank goodness for that!!

We have to change the perception that people have about women in sports. And that starts at the very beginning. That starts when they are in school. That starts NOW. It starts with you and with me. I don’t just tell my son to go outside and shoot some hoops. I tell both my son and my daughter to play together. Why wouldn’t I?

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Always research found that 7 out of 10 girls feel they do not belong in sports, so it’s no wonder half of them quit playing by age 17, at the end of puberty.

  • 7 out of 10 girls ages 16-24 felt they did not belong in sports, especially during puberty
  • 67% of girls feel that society does not encourage them to play sports
  • By age 17, at the end of puberty, more than half of girls (51%) will have quit sports
  • Girls have limited role models to inspire them to play sports – 7 in 10 girls say there aren’t enough role models in sports today

Doesn’t this make complete sense? Think about how many male sports games play on the TV. Now think about ones highlighting women. Girls just don’t see role models on a regular basis doing these activities. Thank goodness for the Olympics! Thank goodness that we get to highlight such amazing women athletes during those seasons. But we need to see them year long.

Always wants to encourage girls all over the world to stay in sports and Keep Playing #LikeAGirl because sports help girls build and maintain confidence. My daughter just turned 11. We are right in the middle of puberty. You know and I know what that felt like. She doesn’t like the hair on her legs. She doesn’t like her body (already). She thinks she needs braces. She isn’t tall enough. Her hair is always knotty.

I hear it all the time. I try my hardest to combat these negative thoughts. I try my hardest to tell her to focus on what’s on the inside and to remind her that her outside is completely PERFECT, but women are wired to dissect.

Did you know that two-thirds of girls agree that sports bring them increased confidence? BOOM! Always wants to help stop the drop in confidence girls experience at puberty by helping girls to keep playing!!!

They’ve enrolled the International Olympic Committee, National Olympic Committees, Olympic athletes and other elite athletes from all over the world to help them champion girls’ participation in sports and I LOVE IT!!! My daughter and every other girl in the world need to see these women and they need to hear their stories.

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Natalie is someone who is willing to try anything but who really is hard on herself when she doesn’t do her best. I love that she is so committed to excellence but it is still a test for me as her mother to remind her that is is also about having fun and enjoying the moment. If you don’t get a goal this week, it was still a great game as long as you gave it your all and had fun while you did. That’s the message we are trying to instill in her.

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I asked Natalie how she will “Keep Playing #LikeAGirl” and she told me that she will “continue being awesome and being the best with all my friends on the field.” Her next goal? To zip line! And I can’t wait to watch her soar!!! I just love being her mom

What was that I was saying about confidence? LOL!

*this is a sponsored post

Chubskulit Rose

Sunday 28th of August 2016

I do the same for my kids as well. They don't do much sports but even just one will do. MY son play football and my daughter play volleybal and then we play tennis as a family.

CourtneyLynne

Thursday 25th of August 2016

My parents had me in every sport imaginable. Unfortunately for Them I was as girly girl, I don't want to get dirty as they get. Now my sister, she ended up being the athlete they were dreaming of lol

Amanda Love

Thursday 25th of August 2016

By far, Natalie's quote is one of the best I've heard from kids her age. Sports do really boost confidence and motivation in general.

Bites for Foodies

Thursday 25th of August 2016

I was not very sporty growing up, but by choice. I chose the arts instead. My husband was a semi-professional volleyball player so he is more inclined to encourage the kids to do sports. We have a good combination at home!

Liz Mays

Wednesday 24th of August 2016

I do think doing sports and athletics has some awesome benefits for girls. I know I loved playing basketball!

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