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.
I so feel your pain! As a mom of two boy that were in baseball every year, I know exactly how you feel! We homeschool our youngest and while he played baseball one year, we do not participate in any now. I can not say that I am sorry! It was hard work! The planning meals around all of it. Who was going to take who to what game or practice and never getting to see my husband. I do look back and remember those days with fondness though. They always looked so handsome in their uniforms! I think they enjoyed having us at something that was just theirs. I love being a mom! 🙂
I’d be imperfect too. I’m glad my kids don’t play sports because I’d be miffed having to drive them to practice and games all the times, plus watching sports is just not for me. We decided not to ever push kids into sports if they weren’t into it since I was miserable when my parents tried to do it to me.
However, my daughter is talking about wanting to do sports in middle school, so ugh..
But I think you sound like a great soccer mom!
I am curious why it is “required?” I completely get the benefits of sports, physical activity, self-esteem building and learning to be a team player. Just looking to hear your thoughts.
It’s just something our family decided on- not something I think everyone else needs to do. 😉 But it’s a great way to ensure my kids are being active. I have one who would live on a tablet/gaming system/tv if we allowed it. But because he chooses to be on two different sports teams right now, I’m not as concerned with him getting in his physical activity. So, it helps keep a balance without us having to set hard and fast technology time limits.
So far, it hasn’t even been an issue because they’ve all wanted to do something. One of my boys actually has to be told no to some of the things he wants to do simply because there’s not time to do it all. And other has chosen a sport that’s more individual (distance running) so they definitely have their choice in what they want to do.
I guess it’s about instilling early on the importance of being active. Other families might choose to do this in different ways, but this is what works for us!
Well said. My boys are young so I’m still trying to figure this all out!
I hear you on this, big time. At the end of every “season” I am so ready to be done. I have kids in sports – football, soccer, volleyball, baseball, gymnastics…all flip’n year round. There is really no such thing as a break from sports around my house. But, when a kid’s sports season ends…and there is just a little break for THAT kid’s sport games and practices, I rejoice. Once less thing on the schedule, you know? But it’s always short-lived. Many of my kids are on club teams, and that’s usually pretty much year round. I’ve had as many as six kids at a time with practices on the SAME DAY. Talk about being in my car for four hours straight! And weekends it’s back to back games, and some games will overlap and I will have to choose which kid’s game I’m going to attend. I’m just say’n, not complain’n (is what I say to my friends, because I cannot complain – I have no right since I’m the one who decided on having ten kids, LOL) But yet, it gets crazy. The thing about it is…I absolutely love watching my kids play sports. I’m a sports mom, big time. Whenever someone asks me, “What’s your favorite sport?” I always answer, “whichever one my kid is playing” and that’s the truth. I knew nothing about football (and could not have cared less about the game) until my 13 year old started playing this fall. Now I understand the game, and I actually LIKE watching it! Who knew!