Fun Friday – How is football related to parenting?

Do you know what season it is? There’s winter, spring, summer, fall…then there’s football season. That’s right football is a season all its own. If you have a child who is playing or has played football, you have an idea of how this season works.

You’re on the line of scrimmage in a squat position, butt in the air and fingertips planted on the turf. You’re eye to eye with the opponent. The quarterback snaps the ball. Game on.

In relationship to parenting, you’re on the kick return team. The ball (open houses, completing forms) has been kicked to you. You don’t have a playbook, but the game must go on. You huddle up with teachers to find out what is needed for a successful school year for your child.

You spend time taking kids back and forth to the field, or you find some willing parent to join your team. A carpool forms. Your team sits on the metal bleachers to discuss the plays you will run (who will pick up and drop off on which days).

Away games, home games, you’re there for them all. Until one day you look at the schedule and realize…it’s the last game of the season. The National Anthem is sung one more time. There’s a different song playing in your head (na na na na, heeeaay…goodbye).

You enjoy the season of football, but just like other seasons (and parenting), it’s ok to experience change. Long after the sports banquet and the final goodbyes, you’re still on the gridiron of parenting. You have been a diehard football fan and survived.

If you’re not sure whether you’re a diehard football parent, here are some ways to help you make the determination:

1.      You own a set of pom poms and you’re not a cheerleader.

2.      You own a stadium chair.

3.      The trunk of your car contains shoulder pads you can’t wear, girdles that aren’t yours and a mouth guard you would never put in your mouth.

4.      You request to leave work early on game days.

What do you experience during football season?