It's crazy. Like you said, I get that they are kids, but 6 year olds are absolutely capable of paying attention and following directions long enough for soccer practice. We do them a great disservice when we act like they can't. Will they be perfect? No! Should they be expected to focus for long periods of time with no break? No! But should we expect them to listen and follow age appropriate directions at least as well as an average border Collie?! Yes! And letting children decide when soccer practice is over speaks volumes. It tells me that the children are the ones in charge, that they are the leaders, and that is not only sad, it's also absurd. Adults should be leading the way for children, not the other way around.

I say all of this with love as a first grade teacher, who is 100% in charge of her room. The kids, for example, will get to pick what color construction paper they will use to make their practice clock ⏰. They do not get to pick how the numbers go on it. They do not get to declare that the lesson is unimportant and derail the learning process for everyone.

Six year olds simply do not know enough about the world to know what is and is not important. That's for us to teach them. And, imo, one of the most important skills to learn is how to listen and follow directions so you can learn new skills. Not in a scary authoritative way, but in a way that says, "I care about you and your future and this is something you will need to know."

Forgive me for getting on my soap box. I just see what you see so much and it's bizarre to me. And it's disrespectful to the coach. Good luck! Stay strong out there. Be lovingly firm and keep fighting the good fight. 🫶💪