It’s not easy being a varsity mom.
I can’t count the number of times I’ve lugged around folding chairs, sat in the sweltering sun after spraying copious amounts of sunblock on my sons, walked in the rain oblivious to the water dripping off my eyebrows and lashes, sat in traffic traveling to tournaments on the other side of the city before sunrise, and then sat in even more horrendous traffic traveling back home at dusk.
I can’t count the number of bottles of water and Gatorade my boys have guzzled, nor the boxes of pizza wolfed down in seconds by a bunch of training-weary, tired boys. Can’t count the number of late nights spent reviewing for tests and doing homework because training sessions took away the best of daylight hours.
So why do I continue to take my sons to their football training week after week and to their tournaments month after month? Here’s a reason that counts: Football (or any other sport, for that matter) teaches children a good number of infinitely valuable life lessons that are best learned, not so much within the four walls of the classroom or between the pages of a textbook but out on the field in the heat of the sun.
Lesson 1: Being Part of a Team
When your kid plays team sports, he quickly realizes that he’s not The One and Only, he’s just one of many. When that football zooms into the goal, he’s not alone on the field claiming victory; there are 10 other guys whooping and doing high fives along with him because they’re equally responsible for scoring that win. And when the attempt fails? Your kid knows he’s not alone in the throes of defeat either. (An added bonus: You know how teenagers have a tendency to think that the world revolves around them? There’s no better way to get that illusion debunked than team sports). Being on a team teaches our kids the twin values of unity and selflessness. They learn to move the “I” behind so that the “We” can move forward.
Lesson 2: Losing and Winning with Grace
When your kid plays sports, he quickly learns that every game must have a winner and a loser. He learns that it’s not just about losing graciously; it’s also about winning gracefully. A true sportsman knows that both are equally important. Your kid learns to shake his opponent’s hand with as much zest and goodwill, whether he’s on the giving or receiving end of congratulations.
Lesson 3: Pain and Perseverance
Some days they win, some days they lose. And some days, that loss can be painful – physically and emotionally. They get battered shins and cleat-engraved toes. They learn that no matter how hard they try, sometimes they just don’t make the win. But they learn that that’s part of The Game. And they learn that, no matter the suffering, they can’t give up, because that would be the biggest loss of all. They learn to pick themselves up and keep plodding on. Because when the going gets tough, the tough keep going.
Lesson 4: Control
Sometimes a referee won’t call a shot. Sometimes your kid gets elbowed in his face and nobody pulls out a yellow card. Sometimes the team sweats buckets and tries its best, but they still lose. Sports teach our kids that not everything is within their control. But they can control how they react. They can control their choices. And they learn that being a gentleman who reacts graciously and chooses properly is just as important as being a victorious sportsman.
Lesson 5: Eye on the Goal
The ball zooms across the field and changes play: your kid knows he can’t stand and stare into space; he’s got to keep his feet on the move and his eye on the goal if he wants to score a win. Today the goal is a white net on green grass; tomorrow it’s his dream job or the girl he wants to marry or the house he wants to buy. But the lesson is the same: Keep working hard and never lose sight of the goal, and you’ll get it for sure.
Lesson 6: Sacrifice and Discipline
When there’s a weekend tournament, your kid learns to say goodbye to mornings spent lounging in bed, playdates, and gadget games. He learns that even when he doesn’t feel like it, he has to show up for hours and hours of training, sweating it out and working those muscles. He learns that relying on his talent isn’t enough; he’s got to work – and work hard – at getting better and better. And he learns that sacrifice and discipline pay off big time in the end.
Lesson 7: Commitment
It’s not about feelings, because those change every day. So sometimes your kid will feel like kicking a few, and some days he’d rather not. But he’ll still have to tie on his cleats and kick those balls because that’s what being committed is all about. He’s in for the long haul, come what may. And that sense of loyalty, of staying true to one’s pledge, and of resisting the temptation to walk away when things don’t turn out wonderfully – all these transform that kid into someone who knows the true meaning of commitment.
Lesson 8: Every single one is a blessing
Being one of a united number teaches our children that there is something unique in everyone, something amazing and valuable to the whole team. Each player has something to bring to the game, and the whole beauty of teamwork lies in recognizing each one’s unique gifts and combining them so that the entire team works together toward victory. Now show me a world that is run by leaders that recognize the value of each and every individual in society, and we’ll find a world that is blessed with peace and unity and progress.
So yes, I’ve declared that it isn’t easy being a mom of kids involved in sports. But then nobody ever said that the things worth having in life would come easy. We’re talking about building character here, and which parent would not want to have an awesome kid? If you’re a parent of a sports freak, you know what I’m talking about. If you’re not, allow me to drag you and your son and daughter to the nearest sports center so you can sign them up on a team or two. Because, I guarantee you, the invaluable life lessons that kids pick up from sports are more than worthwhile. And that’s a promise you can definitely count on.
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