Sports Mom Life: It’s busy and the best!
I thought when I reached adulthood I would leave stereotypes and superlatives to high schoolers, but even in motherhood, they persist! There are “crunchy moms”, “tiger moms”, “corporate moms”, and “PTA moms” just to name a few. I’m in my “Sports Mom” era and it’s a world of its own. Sports moms can be found cheering from the sidelines, helping in the dugout, or providing snacks after a game. Being a sports mom is filled with fun and excitement, but it also can be time consuming and stretches me as a parent. In this post, I’m sharing some thoughts on the ups and downs of sports mom life, and some helpful tips I’ve learned on the journey.
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What is a Sports Mom?
If you find yourself at a youth soccer game, track meet, lacrosse practice, or dance studio more than once a week- welcome to the Sports Mom Club! A sports mom is one who supports her child’s athletic endeavors. This can range from attending practices and games to being involved in coaching or team management. Sports moms are often the unsung heroes of youth sports! They frequently act as Team Parents or helping with youth sports in communities in countless other ways.
Being a sports mom is often about gear and schedule management, but there is a lot more to it! Sports moms are a source of encouragement and strength to young athletes. Sports moms care for their own children as well as support other kids on the team and in the community. You are the one who helps your child develop not just as an athlete, but as a person.
Parenting a Young Athlete
There are so many benefits of kids participating in youth sports! Parenting in America today, it is difficult to escape the negative impact of screens and a sedentary lifestyle. Sports offers screen-free physical play and social interactions that are important for mental and physical health.
While kids learn in different ways, youth sports can be an excellent vehicle for character and personal development in young people. Skills of teamwork, physical and emotional regulation, sportsmanship, respect, dedication, resilience, and responsibility are addressed daily in the world of sports! Young athletes get the invaluable experience practicing these skills regularly. As a parent in the world of youth sports, you get a front-row seat to this development.
Parenting a young athlete comes with its own set of unique challenges. Did you know that according to the NCAA only about 5% of high school athletes will play a college sport? Even more staggering is that only 2% of college athletes will play their sport professionally.
This begs the question, what about the other 95% or 98%?
The answer…they do something else! If you are a sports parent, your child will hopefully do that “something else” with all the physical, emotional, and mental skills they learned playing sports. Finding the balance between supporting and challenging a child can be difficult. While you want to motivate your child to do their best, you never want to damage the relationship or their love for the sport.
The Joy of Being a Sports Mom
Despite the challenges, the joy of being a sports mom is well worth it! There’s something magical about watching your child excel in a sport they love. Seeing their pride when they score a goal, make a great play, or give their all on the field is a joy to watch.
You get a front-row seat to witness their growth, not only in their athletic skills but also in their personal development. Watching them learn to set goals, overcome obstacles, and work as part of a team is incredible.
Moreover, the friendships formed through youth sports are invaluable. Whether it’s bonding with fellow parents during weekends at tournaments or connecting with your child’s teammates, the camaraderie adds a special touch to the sports mom experience. You create lasting memories together, building a community that supports each other on and off the field.
Lessons I’ve learned as a Sports Mom
Navigating the world of youth sports can be challenging! It is easy to feel overwhelmed at times! Here are some helpful tips for sports moms to make the journey a little smoother:
- Stay Organized: Staying organized as a sports mom is essential! Keep a family calendar that includes all practices, games, and events. This can help you manage your time better and reduce stress.
- Make a Sports Mom Friend: An experienced parent on the team is an invaluable resource! In sports, as in life, sometimes there are unwritten rules. It may be that “practice starts at 5” actually means to be there at 4:30! Then there are the last minute questions about gear (such as What to Pack for a Swim Meet?) and the best place to park at an away game. Experienced sports parents on your team can also prove support and camaraderie. The sports parent friendship is a special bond for sure.
- Come Prepared: It is not uncommon to hear parents complain about their kids’ sports and activities. Sports can be time consuming and expensive! If sports participation is important to your family, there are ways to make it more enjoyable for everyone! I think that coming prepared to games and practices makes the biggest difference! Having snacks, comfortable seating, and a portable phone charger so I can catch up on emails or put in a grocery order makes a huge difference!
- Communicate Openly: Keep the lines of communication open with your child and the coaches.. All kids will go through training plateaus and breakthroughs. All kids will also have days where they just don’t feel like going to practice! Sports parents have to learn when to encourage their child to push through, knowing their child will thank them in the end and when to reevaluate participation in a certain activity.
Having our children participate in sports has been a huge blessing for our family. We love when our kids are playing outside, moving their bodies, and spending time with teammates and trusted coaches. Youth sports have allowed our family to spend time together, support each other, and be part of a special youth sports community in our town.