Is It Ever OK to Quit?

February 17, 2020

Do you have a room full of instruments, sports gear, and art supplies that are collecting dust? If so, you're not alone. Millions of kids join teams or clubs every year. But many wind up quitting those activities . . . and starting new ones.

Some people say it’s OK to quit an activity that makes you unhappy. They argue that the whole point of these activities is to have fun. Some experts also say bowing out of a sport or club allows kids to check out new things and find something they really love to do.

But others think kids should learn the value of sticking with something, even if it’s hard. They also argue that ditching a team lets down coaches and teammates. And some parents pay a lot of money for uniforms and equipment. Many of them say they don’t want it to go to waste if their kid quits

Here’s what two of our readers think.

I recently quit my baseball team. Time is limited during the school week. My practices ran long, so I didn’t have time to do my homework. I was staying up late and not getting enough sleep. This made me very anxious.

It’s OK to quit an activity that you don’t enjoy. There are so many other things to try. Why waste your time on something that doesn’t make you happy?

I always promise myself to stick with new things, even if it’s difficult. It helps me learn how to overcome challenges. You never know what you’re missing out on if you quit.

Last summer, my mom enrolled me in a summer camp. I had a hard time getting to know the other kids. After the first few days, I didn’t want to go back. But I wound up making new friends and having a great time!