I love to watch my boys play sports.
Watching them give something their all, seeing them improve over the season or over the years, having them learn important lessons through teamwork.
It’s actually a family rule around here: you have to be involved in at least one organized sport every season. A rule that none of my kids take issue with, but we have it as a “rule” so they know how important it is that they be active.
Their games and practices get written into my planner. I organize carpools. My car is basically a portable locker room: if you need extra gear because your child forgot his, we probably have it, along with an extra chair, blanket, snacks, and more. I even made a soccer mom shirt this season.
I don’t complain too much about the games and meets that require driving an hour or two or that will take up our whole weekend. The fees associated with sports can make me cringe, but we make them work because we want our kids to be able to play.
I’m not the kind of mom who oozes sunshine on the sidelines, but I am supportive of my boys, of their teams. I’m glad they found activities they enjoy. I’ll cheer them on.
But, at the end of the season…
At the end of the season, I just don’t want to do it any more.
It has nothing to do with any particular sport. I feel this way about all of them.
I don’t want to sit out in the cold rain for a soccer practice.
I don’t even want to drive in it to get to the field, even if I’m just going to sit in my car the whole time.
At the end of the season, I’m tired of the drives to games… and that includes the field that’s only 10 minutes from my house.
I don’t care where a stray shinguard has gone off to or if a pair of goggles needs replaced.
I don’t want to get up early for a swim practice when I could sleep in.
I don’t want to wait an extra 15 minutes when a practice goes longer than scheduled.
At the end of the season, I don’t want to spend another Saturday at the baseball field.
I don’t want to try to get the stains out of white uniforms. WHY are there ALWAYS white uniforms?
I don’t want to figure out how to juggle it all.
At the end of the season, I’m so done with it all.
Every single season, I feel this way.
I try really hard not to let it show. I still get my kids where they need to be and I continue to cheer them on.
But, it’s tiring.
You might be surprised to hear me admit this, considering how often I talk the importance of youth sports. But that doesn’t mean that the busy schedules don’t get old.
Then, I do get some rest and my boys are ready for a new season…
And their excitement and joy make me remember why we do this in the first place.
Just don’t expect me to always be the picture of a perfectly enthusiastic soccer mom.