[usehackernews]

It depends.

My dad pushed me to play a sport I despised. Hated it from when I was young all the way to my last games.

But thank god he did. Changed my life completely. As a mediocre student, I could pick any school I wanted.

Love my dad, and he knew what was best. Even if I hated playing, it was all worth it.

Parents should set their kids up for success, and parents do know best - even if that means upsetting your child.

There’s a difference between what someone wants and what’s best for someone - and during my teens, I had that mixed up.

[RyanOD]

Have you ever considered where you would be if all the hours you channeled into the sport you hated had been channeled into something you loved? Maybe you could have had the best of both worlds? Who knows...

But I totally understand what you're saying, I can't say I ever (EVER!) enjoyed going to practice, but I stuck it out and ended up making it to the Big Ten level as a walk-on. I'm very proud of that accomplishment.

[Apocryphon]

It sounds like you had innate talent or aptitude that could be honed and take you places. Not all kids have that though, and can probably take it easy with sports and focus on growing other strengths.

[RyanOD]

It was less about having talent and more about developing in a great program - and that was just dumb luck.

I grew up in a midwest farm town that just happened to have a couple incredible coaches that ran exceptional sports programs. I also had older brothers who were better than me that I learned from.

I was less good and more tough in that I was pretty much the slowest guy on the team in college, but I could absolutely hold my own in practice. Unfortunately, due to the recent NCAA roster limits, there doesn't seem to be a place for athletes like me in college anymore.