I see this metaphor come up a lot in youth sports these days:
“Iron sharpens iron.”
Be careful with that. Adults assume that kids are the “iron”. They are not. No kids are finished, well defined, well molded, well experienced finished products. Exposing them to adult emotions, adult workout regimes, adult compensations, adult schedules and an adult amount of games is “professionalizing” these kids.
I just saw a stat that says 2 in 5 collegiate athletes have contemplated suicide. Gee I wonder why? Because we’re not letting kids develop at THEIR pace. We want it at a faster adult pace.
Remember….please… GOD HAS A PLAN. Be a parent, not an agent.