Why I pay thousands of dollars every year for my kids to play sports

I spend thousands of dollars every year for my kids to play competitive sports. I was thinking about the financial burden this places on our family and the sacrifices we make in time and foregoing other financial and time bound opportunities and needs. I started to weigh the pros and cons and the cons were winning.

Then, my pros list made a comeback.
1. I get to spend hours watching them compete at high levels to be the best at what they want to do.
2. I get to teach them how to eat healthy and take care of the body physically and nutritionally to perform mentally and physically at high levels.
3. I get to see them build deep friendships with teammates and battle for their greater good.
4. I watch them battle foes with all the fierce tenacity they can muster and take a knee if an injury occurs and shake hands in victory and defeat.
5. I hear coaches rip into them, challenge them to improve and teach them top level instruction while they respond with deeper dedication and commitment to master their craft.
6. I capture hours with them to and from their activity...talking.
7. I get them out of the house doing and not sitting watching a screen.
8. I get to share the experience of traveling with them to different places.
9. I have the opportunity to include them with adults and teach them how to interact respectfully while having fun.
10. I get my ego stroked when people complement them on their performance both in and out of the competition.
11. I get to fantasize about "what if"....
12. I see them learn to win with grace and lose with pride.
13. I witness moments when they are so tired they want to quit, but don't.
14. I pay to watch them learn to be disciplined.
15. I witness them practice for hours and hours and hours for 1 moment. And, if that moment doesn't end the way it was drawn up-I watch them go back and practice more as they lern success doesn't happen over night or by accident.

I could have kept my list going, but the light came on. ITs not for everyone thats for sure. But I have found a path that my kids love and can't get enough of that provides bountiful opportunities to teach them life lessons through experiences. the funny thing is, I recently had this conversation with 2 of my boys about the resources it takes to for them to be able to do what they do. Their response wasn't about the sacrifices, hardships, loses, wins, etc...it was about the life long friendships and memories they have formed and the irony of knowing that their future holds more of both in store them. 
decision made.

My scouting life by James Anderson

I started scouting when i was 8 years old in 2008. I began in Cub Scouts in Troop 1121 in Carrollton Taxes, I did Cub Scouts for one year, Then I did the two year webelos program in one year to earn Arrow of Light. The Arrow of Light is the highest achievement you can earn in Cub Scouting. This allowed me to ''cross over'' to Boy Scouts with my brother-Wade so that we could begin our Scouting work at the same time.

This is "Arrow of Light" symbol and plaque.

Me and My Brother receiving STAR Rank

I joined Boy Scout Troop 714 in Carrolton Texas in 2013.      <  http://btbfmedia.org/troop714/ >
My oldest brother Wil earned his Eagle rank from this troop so I am so excited to follow his foot steps. I have already earned the life Scout rank which is right under eagle rank which is the highest rank in Scouting. I have already completed my Eagle project in Guatemala. I built two picnic tables for a girls home called Oasis. I only need two more merit badges to complete all of my required badge work. I plan to participate in the Eagle Court of Honor in August with my brother.

Me with my Dad and Brother at the top of Pikes Peek