When did childhood become a job?

When we were on our way back from a hockey tournament this weekend, my husband mentioned that some people take hockey (or any sport) too seriously.  It is like a job.  It got me thinking.  When did childhood become a job?  I remember being in elementary school.  It was fun.  We didn't have homework unless it was a special project (and the projects were usually interesting and fun).  We ran out the door right when we threw our backpacks down to play outside with friends.  We played on sport's teams... but they did not consume our whole life.  Are the children of today more educated than 30 years ago?  I don't think so.  Do more kids make it into professional sports than 30 years ago?  No.  Why do we put so much pressure on ourselves and our kids? 


Our kids play on a travel hockey team.  Does it take up free time?  Yes ... but we love it.  It doesn't matter what level team they play on.  They just want to play hockey (a game they love) with friends.  We don't want to move them from team to team based on which one will have the best record or highest level.  We just want them to have fun and make great childhood friends and memories. 


I am not saying that my kids don't work hard.  They work very hard at playing hockey but it is because they are passionate about it.  They love it.  That is what I pray will happen with homeschool.  It will take time but I pray that they will work hard at learning because they want to learn.  Not because it is a job and they have to do it.


By the way, the boys got second place at the tournament.  More importantly, they had a blast doing it.