by Pria Pondering

Created on: August 17, 2009   Last Updated: August 18, 2009

Tennis Parents are what my husband and I are becoming. My husband loves tennis. He has grown up playing it and has taken lots of lessons. He watches the Tennis Channel every chance he gets, and plays at least twice a week. I have been intrigued with tennis at least since 10th grade, when my psychology teacher in high school mentioned playing it and regretted that her husband didn't play with her, which seemed to contribute to their divorce. Some of my friends played it and I knew I wanted to eventually play. In the past few years, I've taken a few lessons and played in a beginner's league. At the same time, I was trying to care for an infant and pre-teen.

My husband and I have been trying to influence my pre-teen son, Colin, to take an interest in tennis the past few years. He had been resistant, even crying at the suggestion and request to take lessons. Earlier this year, when planning his summer camps and activities, I pulled out the big gun and told him to take tennis lessons, because I was his mom and I said so. I tried to soften the command by reminding him how fun it would be to play together as a family, how it was a way to connect with his step-dad. Also, I told him that his infant sister, Maya, would be taking lessons much earlier than him. The propaganda was laid thick. Then there was silence. Eventually, I moved on to other topics and my husband proceeded to sign him up for lessons.

Imagine my surprise when Colin started sounding and acting enthusiastic about the upcoming lessons. We had given up trying to push him the past two years and here he was, looking forward to the lessons and playing with us. We were very pleased and I felt validated for my approach. I felt that I could have pulled out the Mommy card much earlier, when the resistance first began. One of my goals in raising Colin has been to expose him to a myriad of activities and sports to broaden his horizons, and for him to decide what he feels most comfortable with and passionate about as time and experience go by.

Colin took the tennis lessons and has continued to express interest. I didn't hear the frustration I heard at times regarding soccer and basketball. He may have also accepted that he has tennis parents, and to try to fit in to being part of a tennis family. We have labeled ourselves accordingly and have made jokes around this. We have debated whether we should be the tennis family with a certain forehand or backhand.

People have asked whether my husband has created a custom baby racket for our infant daughter. I know my husband can barely wait for the day when he can get a racket into Maya's hand and introduce her into the wonderful world of tennis. Tennis is becoming a bonding activity for my family without any drawbacks. It is a sport that will stay with us through old age and be a way to connect with each other while staying fit, another important value to us.

My husband and I are proud to be tennis parents, and to encourage our kids to appreciate a sport that is about self-improvement, working together, and fitness.

Learn more about this author, Pria Pondering.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.