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7 things I learned in my first week of being a soccer mom

September 23, 2016 by Jill 5 Comments

When I’d been a soccer mom for little more than a week, I naturally came to the conclusion I knew every ever loving thing about being a soccer mom.  Ahem. Not quite. Here are 7 things I learned in my first week of being a soccer mom.

I urged my husband to sign our kids up for soccer when they were  six because I thought it was important for them to learn the basics of playing sports and most importantly, how to be members of a team. I didn’t expect to be the one who learned stuff but color me surprised.

I learned stuff.

Table of Contents

  • Things I learned in my first week of being a soccer mom
    • 1. Leave extra early
    • 2. It’s all about the chair
    • 3. Shut up and clap
    • 4. There’s a lot of stuff
    • 5. Say “thank you” and “what can I do?”

Things I learned in my first week of being a soccer mom

I’ve never seen a child attack a sport with such joy.

1. Leave extra early

If you’re perpetually late for every other thing in your life, make sure your kids get to their games and practices on time. The coach is (most likely) a working parent who is juggling his or her schedule to be available for your kids. Do them the courtesy of getting your small human to where they’re supposed to be on time.Confession: we were late to our kids’ first soccer game. Actually we were right on time but the coach’s instructions at the first practice were “be 15 minutes early.” See also follow the coach’s instructions.

The kids need to arrive early to their game to receive the coach’s instructions and go through their warm up drills. You also do not need to stress the coach out by making them worry that they won’t have enough players because your kid prances onto the field at the eleventh hour.

Not cool. Lesson learned.

2. It’s all about the chair

Getting a soccer mom chair is a rite of passage. And yes, eyeing the other soccer moms’ chairs and comparing them to your soccer mom chair is totally normal.

Invest a few bucks in a good chair. We have a “loveseat” style chair with attached umbrellas and drink holders. And yes, we’re totally okay with being a suburban cliché.

7-things-i-learned-during-my-first-week-as-a-soccer-mom

3. Shut up and clap

I absolutely LOVE this 2-minute drill video clip with Jason Taylor:

I love this guy. Sorry Jason, we root for the Detroit Lions in this house but I’ll still shut up and clap for you.

I watched this video right before my kids’ first game and “shut up and clap” is the best mother fluffing advice for sports parents ever. Seriously, moms and dads. Shut up and clap. Shut. Up. And. Clap.

4. There’s a lot of stuff

Chairs, coolers, balls, extra clothes, bug spray, sunscreen…okay it might not sound like a lot of stuff but it is a lot of stuff. 

You want to be the mom that has all the stuff. First aid kit? Extra water? Insect repellent? Baby wipes? Bandaids?
There is something rewarding in being that mom who anticipates every possible scenario. It’s also worthwhile to make new friends with people who will see you as someone they want to be aligned with in the event of a zombie apocalypse. Ha ha – kidding…but carry some extra waters and slap a good first aid kit in your glove box. At some point you’re going to be the mom in need so making an effort to be that well-stocked mom will tip the karmic scale in your favor.

5. Say “thank you” and “what can I do?”

Your kid’s soccer coach is a volunteer. They have a job and a family and a bazillion other things they want to and need to be doing besides teaching your little snowflake the basics of a sport. Tell them thank you after every practice and every game. They are giving their time and talents to your child and the least you can do is show them a little gratitude.

Ask what you can do every now and then. It might be as simple as sending an email or buying a case of water for the team. Your offer of help might be met with a “thanks, I’ve got it.” But always offer. It means more than you think.

6. It’s all about the snacks

If it’s your turn to bring the snack, make it your mission in life not to forget. See also, make said snack awesome.

Check out Pinterest to give you some ideas for soccer snacks but you don’t have to go crafty mama crazy to be an awesome snack mom. Our most recent team snack was sliced green apples and chunks of cheddar cheese and the kids loved it. We also skewered orange slices and grapes on cake pop sticks from the cake decorating aisle at Walmart. But whatever you do, don’t forget the snacks.

What I learned my first week as a soccer mom|Ripped Jeans and Bifocals

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5 Comments

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Comments

  1. Jrseygirl in VA says

    September 25, 2016 at 2:03 pm

    I have been a soccer Mom for 6 years now and this advice is great but I can think of some more. Cheer for the other team too Always cheer no matter what the kids do on the field.
    Play to the referee. They are always right (even when they are wrong) and never argue with them to tell them to make a play. Most of them (at least for us) are young teenagers and still learning the rules. Treat them as if it is your teenager out there. I cannot tell you how many parents and even coaches will go out and yell and argue with a referee who is 14!!!!!
    Soccer(or any sport) should be fun, if the kids had fun playing (even if they are just playing in the mud puddles during the game) then it was a good game no matter what the score is.
    There are many more that I have learned over the years but these are the most important.

    Reply
    • Jill says

      September 25, 2016 at 4:28 pm

      Clapping for the other team – YES! Our games are reffed by the coaches but the last league we played in had teens reffing. I cannot even imagine someone yelling at them.

      Reply
  2. Tiffany says

    October 3, 2016 at 6:42 pm

    Congrats on being part of the soccer mom club!! You must have much nicer weather than we do – we’re already in our winter coats here! ha! Great advice all around – you must be a quick learner 😉

    Reply
  3. Krystal Miller says

    October 3, 2016 at 10:51 pm

    We always leave extra early for everything! And, it is definitely about the snacks!

    Reply
  4. Moha says

    January 10, 2017 at 2:04 am

    Excellent tips Jill,

    Attending kids Game can be fun and also tense but following those tips will make it more fun.

    Reply

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All About Jill

I'm a digital content creator and essayist who copes with parenting and most other situations with humor and snark. Just so you know, if this weren't the internet, I'd be smiling awkwardly and answering simple questions like "How are you today" with gems like "I like pockets."

I really do love pockets, though.

I spent 26 years in the USAF, which went by really, really fast. I'm very proud of my service but I'm loving my second act even more. Writing gives me the opportunity to flex my creative muscles and that's what makes me happy. Welcome.

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Jill Robbins
Here’s something you’ve probably never seen be Here’s something you’ve probably never seen before: my bottom teeth.
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Little things can really be big - do you agree? M Little things can really be big - do you agree?

My husband gets up with our kids twice a week and does their breakfast and morning routine and takes them to school so I can sleep in. I don't laze away the morning in bed - it usually amounts to about an extra hour of sleep for me and a little more peace and quiet as I start my day. 

This probably seems like a little thing but this is huge for me. The mental benefits of not having to set my alarm on a schoolday is truly my love language. I would rather have sleep than flowers or presents. 

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My husband isn't "doing me a favor" by taking care of our kids. When I talked about being stressed and tired during an argument last year, he offered to take some things off my plate and giving me two mornings where I don't have to set an alarm was one of his ideas. It's part of the give and take of marriage and even though it makes me clench a little when I see spilled milk or stuff that hasn't put away, I appreciate having a partner who shares the load with me. 

My marriage definitely is not perfect and I'm in no position to give relationship advice. But for us, this one little thing is a really big deal. 

And, as I've recently discovered, a cereal box can sit on the counter for several days and the world doesn't explode. Who knew.

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Anyone else having massive “This time last year” moments?
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We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the We got our first Raddish Kids box right before the holidays and finally dug into it this weekend. Our box had a cold-weather theme which was perfect for this cold weather we're having (flurries in San Antonio can you believe it?!)

Each box contains three recipe cards, a culinary tool, an iron-on patch and Table Talk conversation starter cards. A shopping list is included and also emailed to you in advance in case you want to be ready to cook as soon as your box arrives. You buy all the groceries yourself. 

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I think today would be better if I could hang out I think today would be better if I could hang out with donkeys all day. 

There's a reason animals are used in therapy - they are both comforting and fun. This picture was from our October outing to Wassermann's Wranch outside of Alpine (in West Texas.) I love my beautiful state and the landscape of West Texas fascinates me because it's so different than what I see every day here near San Antonio.

Wassermann's Wranch is located just a few miles outside the city. It's a private hobby farm that sees visitors by reservation. It's absolutely worth planning your day around and you can check out more in my blog post linked in my bio.

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