Agony Aunt letters: Is it ok to insist my son attends football when he appears to hate it? (From Bucks Free Press)

Agony Aunt letters: Is it ok to insist my son attends football when he appears to hate it?

2:10pm Tuesday 19th February 2013 in Freetime

KAYE Townsend is a qualified, BACP registered, person-centred counsellor with a private practice in Flackwell Heath, Bucks.

She is currently writing a self-help book, write articles for various publications & work as a volunteer counsellor for a local charity.

Here she answers letters in her Bucks Free Press agony aunt column. To contact her, email kayebt@sky.com

Dear Kaye,

Most of my son’s friends, who are 9 years old, have joined a local football team. They all seem to enjoy it but my son really hates it. I make him go for training once a week & then they usually have a match at the weekend. I feel terrible making him go but I feel it’s good for him to be involved in group activities.

Leah, 33, High Wycombe

Dear Leah,

You say it’s good for him, why? He doesn’t enjoy it. What are your honest reasons for making him go? I’d suggest you have a little chat with him & find out what his interests are & then help him apply his talents & enthusiasm to the activities that he enjoys. Then you will both be happy.

Good luck, Kaye.