<p>pizzagirl, that’s exactly the concern that the head of our high school’s phys ed department expressed to me. I contacted her a couple of years ago to suggest that they consider adding dance as a choice in phys ed, or as an alternate to it. She said she’d love to if they had a qualified teacher and space. She said she wanted to teach things that kids could enjoy their entire lives, and that weren’t so “competitive.” But it’s not easy to do, we don’t have hiking trails, or a pool in the building, etc. They did try teaching yoga. But since then, budget cuts have virtually eliminated Phys Ed as a class.<br>
The powers-that-be keep pointing fingers at the food in the cafeteria, but one person pointed out “If the kids had phys ed, it wouldn’t matter so much if they ate a french fry!”</p>
<p>Some folks are never team sports people. Some are for awhile and then grow down different paths. As long as the offspring is a reasonable weight for height, then parents need to MYOB. </p>
<p>One thing that can help is the location of the dorm. The dorm that is a hike to the cafeteria but right next door to the gym tends to be a healthier choice than the dorm with the bakery in the basement. </p>
<p>Parents can also reasonably inform offspring that the first few days of campus life are hectic and it can be easy to load up on carbs to cope – thus setting eating patterns for the semester (and that freshman 10 that these days can be the freshman 20). Better to endorse eating light for the first couple of weeks – which is also a good idea for travelers. </p>
<p>There are so many positive ways a parent can support the next phase of life: being willing to finance the welcome freshman backpacking trip, offering snowboard lessons for a birthday, lugging a bike to campus, asking if kiddo would like parent to shop summer garage sales for disc golfing equipment or golf gear. Any of these would be better than saying “gee, I’m disappointed you quit XC.” </p>
<p>My kids sometimes complain that I blast past their good points and turn my steely eyed laser focus on their few little pimples. Suddenly, after reading this thread, I see their point! Go, kids! Have a great life!</p>
<p>Let it go. Do it for yourself or do it for your son but just let it go. </p>
<p>One of the most physically fit people I know is my sister, who has never participated in a sport ever. But she loves to walks and hates driving. She chose a walkable campus and for the last twenty years has always lived within walking distance of groceries, library, etc. That’s it, she walks everywhere or rides her bike. She got superfit during the years she was also wearing her babies in slings! </p>
<p>My point is that you, like all of us, have no idea what the future holds for your kid. Stop worrying and let life unfold.</p>
<p>My dorm had seven squash courts in the basement. I learned how to play squash!</p>
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<p>I have one kid who also didn’t do school sports. BUT in college, he did a lot of ultimate frisbee for fun and took up yoga. </p>
<p>I don’t think you have to do high school sports to be healthy OR to get accepted at college…or to have a successful life.</p>
<p>My kid was physically lazy in high school, but now that he’s in college, he definitely wants to look good for the ladies. He’s improved his fashion sense, he’s started going to the gym five days a week, he runs, he is looking REALLY good. It’s amazing. I think it’s because he took his life into his own hands. In other words, anything you say right now is going to sound like “Blah blah blahblahblah.” So, I wouldn’t worry too much.</p>
<p>I don’t think DH and I ever encouraged our kids to play sports because of how it might/might not help their college applications. We just thought it was important to make them active kids. Our rule was that they had to play one sport each season–didn’t matter if it was varsity level or rec Y-ball. We only have one in college so far, but I’m delighted at how physically active he is. And I can tell you that this was a kid who had a tendency toward couch potatohood. He also was never a skinny kid. Not overweight, but I can easily imagine a physically different 19-year-old if he didn’t keep active outside of class.</p>
<p>I think it’s one of the best presents DH and I have given our kids.</p>
<p>Olymom, maybe it’s a GOOD thing that S has been placed in the River for two years! 
All that walking…</p>
<p>If his friends in college are active, then he probably will be, too. About all you can do is praise any signs of activity.</p>
<p>Bird Rock - try and interest him in getting in shape for local road races. Start with 5k races. </p>
<p>Offer to pay for a few entry fees (a nice gesture). </p>
<p>He will likely often be at the top (nothing better than being a strong 18 year old against weekend runners) of many of the small races, and they are great social outings (yes, it is a way to find dates, too). </p>
<p>Most Division 1 programs are very competitive. They typically require at least a 4:20 mile time (or better) just to walk on, and it is too much of a distraction for a serious student. But the road racing is ideal - it motivates for fitness, and is a lot of fun with no real pressure.</p>