In the final guest post of 2011 Gretchen Rose shares with a family member some lessons she’s learnt.

As you read her guest post, I invite you to consider the lessons you would share for someone else just starting out. If you are a coach who has a “niche”, what would you share especially with your niche? Even if you haven’t got a “niche”, what would you share about having a better 2012?

I suspect that even though, for reasons I’ll let her explain in a moment, Gretchen has written for a specific situation, that there are many things on her list that can be transferable to other situations and scenarios.

Feel free to share anything you would add and how you’d word your list in the comment section below.

Happy New Year!

by Gretchen Rose

We have a new baby in our family, William. He is my baby cousin’s baby! Her precious little girl is almost 3. So fun to reflect back on when my children were that little and sweet.

Our kids are now 16 and 11. I remember when the days were long, but oh how the years are short. I feel the sand draining out of the hour- glass at a rapid rate with our 16 year old daughter. We have much more time with our 11 year old son, but it is speeding up as well.

So much” intel” to share with my cousin. But like any great book, I don’t want to spoil the plot. It is better for her to “read” her own book in her own time. I love the picture of baby William with his dad, both dressed in dad’s college colors. They are not MY college colors, but I appreciated the sentiment all the same.

They are at the beginning of the Sports parent journey. In their honor this is a reflection on New Year’s resolution for ALL Sports parents to re-evaluate our New Year and new season of play and reminisce on seasons past and lessons learned.

1. Remember your family is your team. And sometimes your team can become your family! There are so many people to meet along the sports journey. Always block out time for family interest, activities and vacation. Some of coaches, players and parents will stick with you for a lifetime.
2. Invest in a cushy portable chair and a stadium seat with arm rests. Always keep it in your car. On second thought, you now know what you are getting for your birthday!
3. Yell good things for your kid with wild abandon. Apparently it is the only thing they will remember. It does not embarrass them nearly as much as they say it does.
4. Drop everything you are doing for a chance to play catch, kick the can, or hoola hoop. The shelf life on this form of communication is brief!
5. If possible, volunteer to coach, even if it is not your sport. Be the team mom. It might seem like a time suck in the moment, but the benefit happens in 10+ years when a player from that team of yesteryear is a moody teenager. You may get a head nod, a small wave or even a smile of acknowledgement in public. PRICELESS!
6. Always let the team decide their name, colors and uniforms. No one will ever defeat the Power Puff Girls, Stomping Unicorns, Screaming Daisies, Purple Scorpions (in blue uniforms) or Salty Dogs!
7. Always travel with a first aid kit in the car. This is MUST with boys. You will need it more than you think. Other parents will be impressed, too! Just tell them it will not sting and remember fish hooks go out the same way they go in!
8. If you are not up before dawn driving to _______________ ( fill in blank with tournament, game, competition, ) you are officially late. For some reason the gods that form these competitions try to ring every minute of every weekend to make it a worth -while experience. You can catch up on the rest later!
9. You can never have enough pictures! Team pictures, individual pictures and action shots. Please share with your cousins!
10. Do not let child get ears pierced 3 days prior to weekend tournament. Players cannot play in jewelry and you can be re-piercing ears ( see first aid kit above) in the dawn’s early light and after every game!!!
11. When buying shoes for the “season”, if possible, buy a back up in a half size larger. This will keep you from being embarrassed when your kid comes off the field with a big toe popping through the top of a shoe! Seriously these feet grow over night!
12. Be proud of every milestone and every accomplishment! You are not bragging! Tell everyone who will listen. ( Especially your cousin!)
13. Share your favorite team with your child – Professional or college or local. This is a great way to share knowledge, form a mutual interest and fodder for gifts for a lifetime! Travel to a game together.
14. Don’t yell at referees or officials even they made a HUGE mistake. If the official is a non -adult, remember they are some one’s kid, too. Be an example of good citizenship.
15. Don’t over structure. Kids love free time. Sports and teams are meant to be a treat to look forward to, not a job that must be done! ( For parents, too!)
16. Sports and teams can teach life lessons. Make sure they are the good lessons. Become a good and encouraging team member, try your best, sometimes you do not win but you try again next week, and respect everyone. You know-There is no “I” in Team!

I think this will get my cousins on course for a few years of an amazing journey. Hopefully I can still add updates as I discover them!

Have a happy and safe New Year and new season to everyone.

About the Author/Further Resources

I am a wife and mom of two athletic and active children in Dallas, Texas. In my spare time, I am the inventor and founder of KidzMat – the premier organizational equipment for youth sports.

I also own and operate a catering company and am an avid runner with my two dogs! I love to write about my experiences as a sports mom. My web site is www.kidzmat.com!

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