A House Divided

Sibling Rivalry Over Sports Activities

Editorial by Kelsey Lawless

   The beginning of the school year is always hectic. Students are making the transition from summer break to school all day, and it’s tougher for some families. Activities start up too, such as volleyball, cross country, and football, and every year they overlap each other. It’s a mess and it’s even worse for families like mine.

My brother, Brennan, is a cross country runner while my sister, Cayla, and I are in volleyball. Every year my parents and grandparents have to decide who goes to what event. It’s terrible! This year was the first year my mom has been to a sub-state volleyball tournament and my dad has never been and probably won’t ever go. This happens all season long too, but it never really upsets Cayla and I until sub-state rolls around. My dad couldn’t be there to watch Cayla stuff-block a future K-State player this year, and he didn’t get to watch me start in my first varsity game as setter in last year’s sub-state match. Even my Grandma, Sharon, has the same dilemma, only her’s is a lot worse because she has other grandchildren to support too. It would be so much easier if the schools could just put each event on a different day.  It would save a lot of arguing and a lot of disappointment from families in these situations.

We aren’t the only family that goes through this. Many families in Osage and across the state have to deal with this, and it’s a hard decision for parents to make.  It’s even harder for us kids because we always want everyone there to see us, but it just doesn’t work out that way. We always seem to be running around from sport to sport, but we love it. It’s something that just makes us as unique as other families.