Soccer season is taking up four nights a week for our family. Two boys playing soccer on two different teams equals four nights a week of practice.
We decided last minute to sign our boys up in our county for a SAY soccer league. As I sit at the practices and games and watch my boys play and interact, I see the benefit of being on a team.
We have fabulous coaches.
Any parent who coaches these kiddos needs a shout-out, a high five, or a tunnel to run through to show our appreciation. A few years ago, my husband coached our son in soccer and did a great job. This year due to grad school and other commitments, we are sitting on the sidelines watching and are so appreciative of all of the hard work on the coaches’ part and for the benefits we see for our boys on the teams.
My sons are growing because of the teams they are on.
I’ve been reflecting on what benefits they are getting from this experience (I think we have to do this as parents to see if the activity or opportunity will be repeated) and I am amazed.
My boys get to learn from someone other than me.
They are learning how to listen and grow from learning from someone who knows the game better than me. They learn by watching, playing, and practicing. I learn, too, and can practice at home to make them even better players.
My boys get to succeed and fail, and I get to watch and encourage them.
As a parent, this is HUGE, to see them and offer ways to help them.
My boys get to interact with friends from school and make new friends.
One of my favorite parts of the game is when the boys are not in the game and are sitting on the sidelines. Our kindergartener sits on the sideline talking and standing on one foot and playing games with his friends, while our 4th grader is watching the game and cheering on his friends.
My boys are encouraged by someone other than mom and dad.
Our coaches have been so good at verbally telling our boys what a great job they have done and encouraging them to work on certain areas for the next game.
So many things happen when you are part of a team that can help you as you grow and mature as you get older. Teams can set us up for success, even teams that aren’t so great, we can learn from those, too.
I can’t honestly tell you if the boys have won or lost any games so far this year; I have no idea, but I can tell you that they have already won in my book.
