Soccer Mom

So, now I'm a soccer mom. I don't feel like one. I don't know what they need. I don't know how to put those weird socks on or how to fasten their shin guards so they don't fall off. I couldn't even figure out how to sign them up. My husband had to do it. He was here for their first practices and we made a family thing out of it. I chatted with other moms from town that I knew.

Now, my husband is gone. Practice is tomorrow night. I hope I don't make a fool out of myself and my child by showing up with all kinds of things going wrong and without a clue. I can ask the other mothers, I suppose. They always seem to have things straight and to know exactly what's what.

At my son's first practice over the weekend, one of the other Soccer Moms that I don't know came over to chat me up and frankly she scared me. I couldn't tell you what she was talking about. It had to do with soccer and the game and it was all manner of seriousness and in the end, she dragged her son out of the practice in a huff over the other players (all pre-school/ Kindergarten-aged) being too small or not experienced enough or something to the effect of them not being tough enough to handle her son playing soccer with them. Whoa. Ok. Originally she offered us one of her child's old jerseys and my husband was all concerned that now, we weren't going to get it because who knows if she is coming back. Now, I'm just a novice here and the only Soccer Moms that I have to compare to my reality are fictional and end up in fist fights with other moms and the refs and coaches and that's all fake, right? This is JUST a game for KIDS, right? I mean, I'd love for my kids to become little soccer gods and end up with scholarships, but that's in a perfect world. For now, I'm just hoping they burn off some energy, have a good time and learn to be good sports while learning skills of team-manship. Win, lose or draw, I could care less about anything else. Maybe it's because I didn't do sports growing up. Maybe it's because at heart, I am a peace-loving semi-hippy-ish person who truly believes it's how you play the game and knowing you are having fun and doing your best. Sure, who doesn't love to win, but this isn't the Olympics.

This is the first time in my life to have all kids of crazy plates spinning balanced on sticks that I'm holding. I mean, you think it's busy and it's summer and keeping kids busy is crazy, but putting them in scheduled activities and keeping them busy is just as crazy and hard. Huh. Getting everyone to school and it starts before that even, getting up at the crack of dawn to get everyone READY and then to take them and then rush-rush-rush-rush to get whatever you can done and the little one taken care of and then dinner and then activity and then ready for other things and ready for tomorrow and bed again... Whew. All in all, this past week has been a whirlwind of beginnings and we are gaining our bearings and soccer is the new thing for us and frankly, if it tires them out and they enjoy doing it and make friends, then I will feel like being a Soccer Mom is worth it's weight in gold.

Keeping the crazy coming until next time...