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For many families, sports play a large role in weekly activities. "Soccer Moms" spend many hours driving their kiddo's to and from practices and cheering them on. I have always wanted to be that mom. So, I signed my son up for a soccer sampler. The place is great, they have all sorts of little samplers so your kiddo can find what they enjoy the most. My son was super excited, he needed a number 3 ball, but we only had a number 4 in the house...and he kept asking to get his "number 3 ball like he is 3". So off we went, to get sneakers and a ball. He proudly carried that ball and practiced kicking it. I had such high hopes, and such wonderful visions of how my son's first experience with soccer would go. He had been talking about his "number three ball, just like he is three" for the whole week. We picked out his little outfit and then got the camera all charged up. We were both excited, and I had plans to get the kids in bed early. Plans that just didn't work since that is how things go here. So we ended up going to be bed late as it was but he stayed up even later.
But then Murphy's law decided to pay us a visit, and that night he didn't sleep well (nor did mommy). The next morning we woke to drizzle and cold. All of us were tired, and my son was a little bothered he didn't get to wear the outfit he picked. When we first got to the field, he ran around crazy with all the little kids, kicking his ball and having a great time. But then it was time to get organized. And things went downhill.
I don't know what happened, but suddenly my son didn't want to participate. He cried. He whined. He said he was scared. He said he didn't want to go, he didn't want to play. Dad was no help. I tried to be patient, I tried to be loving, I tried tried tried until I got frustrated and mad. I finally told him if he wasn't going to play, then I was going to sign up his sister rather than waste the time and money. He started crying. We hugged, we rationalized, and then ultimately we got frustrated. And a bit overwhelmed, and quite honestly a bit embarrassed. I felt like a horrible mommy. I was ready to throw in the towel and just go. I finally threw up my hands and said I was done. Outloud. Embarrassing I know. My husband sssshhhhhddd me. But I was mad. And frustrated. And the more mad I got, the more embarrassed I got. Not because of how my son was acting....he is a kid. But rather on how I was acting. I could only imagine what I would be thinking if I were one of the other parents. Probably something critical like "well, no wonder he throws tantrums, he learned them from her." Because apparently I missed June Cleaver's class of being a soccer mom and got stuck in Roseanne's instead.
photo: Luc Latulippe
But, Thank God for Coaches who know what they're doing. His coach stepped in. Knowing I was making matters worse, I just let them be. And she was wonderful. She was kind and patient, and tried different tactics until she got my little man on the field. His frown was soon full-blown giggles as he kicked his ball with the other little ones.
When my son was a teeny tiny tator tot, I remember holding him up and proudly claiming to my husband "look at that perfect little face......we haven't done anything to screw him up yet". I truly intended on keeping that perfect status......but that would consist of me living in a bubble. Just ain't going to happen.
Our "perfect" family before we damaged our son in any way!
Any little skill my son learned that day couldn't compare to what I learned. Because I watched. I watched that Coach and learned what worked for my son. A humbling experience since I should have been the one to do it, after all. This being a soccer mom isn't all it is cracked up to be.
8 of you are the "cool kids":
We all have our lack of sleep days that take a toll on the whole family. As another parent I would be feeling empathy knowing I have been there too.
It must of felt good knowing you picked a great program, that had the sense to hire a great coach. Teaching soccer to 3 years olds isn't a job for just anybody (not even for all soccer moms).
I use to coach gymnastics and I could definitely tell you horror stories of some of the parents I encountered - that were convinced their 3 year old was Olympics bound! You behaved exactly like you should have!
I get frustrated when my kids act like that, too. And I don't always handle it very well.
I think others(like coaches) are able to stay calm b/c they aren't as personally involved. There isn't all the emotion that we have.
LOL sounds so typical of a little boy. My son didn't like soccer at all, he was more interested in just running around on the field than the ball. Little boys are so cute though. They get so exicted about something even though they don't really understand what it is. I'm glad he ended up having fun though. :)
I can relate to this so much! My son is 4 and started soccer this year- luckily, he loves it! But, he is incredibly shy and reserved, so the first day was a little nerve-wracking. It's amazing the social skills they can learn from team sports like this, and coaches who are experienced with the different personalities. Good luck!!
Sports kill me. It's always a battle... we opted out of soccer this year... and baseball. WOOPS.
this is so timely, me and my soccer mom newbie status. Cute pictures, momma!
It's so hard to not do that. I try to remind myself that it's not his fault, he's two, it's not his fault, he's two. I'm sure I've screwed up my kids the moment they were born, but hopefully the counseling they need won't last that long :hehe:
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