To anyone who doesnt know me, I am a soccer fanatic. I played all through high school. Then, my oldest daughter started playing when she was 7. I coached through my 2nd pregnancy and even got my E license - which means I can coach Select or Competitive. I love soccer!
I looked into starting to help with the high school here in town since the head coach and I are good friends. He encouraged me to come join him and maybe someday I'd be able to coach the Girls HS Varsity team. Then... I got pregnant, again! The Lord must have other things in store for me. Coaching while pregnant was difficult with a team of 10 year olds. I couldnt imagine doing it with 15-18 year olds who take much more time than the little girls recreation team I was use to.
So, with a bit of sadness, I didnt take him up on his offer to help. My family was thrilled as they couldnt imaging me adding one more thing to my already overflowing plate. As my daughter's U11 Competitive season got underway, I too was thankful that I did not decide to coach again.
The season was rainy- which isnt too bad except my husband works Saturdays so its just me there by myself most games. The baby was NOT happy to be out in the rain cooped up in my front pack for 2 hours. When my baby bump started protruding it was too difficult to wear the front pack. So, my infant was equally as upset to be strapped in her stroller. Had it been a sunny season, she may have enjoyed crawling around on the blanket and grass while mommy screamed like a lunatic for sissy.
Funny how the screaming parents are at their kids games, huh? I admit I am one of them- I have tamed my tongue quite a bit throughout the years- after hearing what other parents sound like. But still, the coach in me sees plays and passes and openings that I cant seem to help but blurt out:
"Watch #10" "Go up line" "Call for drop" "Megan, go center"
Of course the girls cant hear me, they are too involved in their play and trained to listen to their coach. I think I do it to make myself feel better. Its like seeing a car crash about to happen and you cant help but yell, oooh watch out! Of course, to some soccer may not be as serious as a car crash... lol
As the season progressed and my eldest got seemingly more and more burnt out, I was a little heartbroke and happy to hear that she no longer wanted to play soccer. Her play level was diminishing, not because she suddenly lacked talent, but because you could tell her heart was no longer there.
I look forward to not having to bundle up two infants next year and stand in the rain for 2 hours by myself with 2 miserable cooped up babies. I look forward to not having to pack up the car with double strollers and toys and snacks that could entertain and feed an army. But mainly, I look forward to seeing what new thing my oldest daughter will get involved with. I love seeing that spark in her eye when she "gets it." Something clicks that says "I like this" and it such a joy to watch her grow into her own person. To see a child use the talents and gifts that they have been blessed with is every parents honor and hopefully a goal. And maybe, if other parents are lucky, she will choose something that I know nothing about so I dont scream on the sidelines like a maniac :)
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