Originally Posted by ultramarina
DS is actually naturally athletic so in his case, it's not an thing where he should so sports to be, you know, sort of humbled. (I don't mean to sound flippant. I get it.)

Our DD doesn't need to be humbled, quite the opposite, as she's her own worst critic. Sports is an avenue for her to build her self-esteem, because she is good at athletics, and she's hearing encouragement from people who aren't her parents. She thinks we can't be objective about her, so she tunes us out.

It's also good for her to learn that other people are good at things, too, because she may make a great play on the soccer field, only to be stopped by someone who also made one.