5 Things You Should Know About Being A Soccer Mom!

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/POWERADE.

Growing up, I was never really the athletic type nor was I really that into watching sports. Where I grew up in the Midwest (for the later part of my youth), Soccer was not all that common and never in a million years did I ever think one of mine would be a soccer athlete. However, my son Micheal is quite the soccer athlete — and he’s really amazing at it as well! But, seriously, no one ever prepared me for to be a soccer mom!

5 Things You Should Know About Being A Soccer Mom

Your Life Revolves Around Soccer

Seriously. They tried to warn me, but you will have practices, games, soccer tournaments, and clinics almost all year round. I love every minute of it and so does Michael, but I have a feeling his sisters aren’t as excited about the schedule.

The Team Becomes Family

It is amazing how fast young athletes form together to make friendships, how the moms bond on the sideline, and how other siblings are quick to make friends with each other. Cookouts happen at soccer tournaments and moms work together to make sure all the athletes make practices and games. Plus you save each other when one athlete forget his socks (because, of course, you packed an extra pair!).

Your Family Vehicle Becomes A Soccer Mobile

When we upgraded our mini-van this past November, the first thing out of Michael’s mouth was “Look at all that room for my soccer gear.” The girls’ concern was if there would be DVD players for watching movies at practices and during road trips to games! We live in our van some weeks because of the schedule and there are constantly soccer balls, ice packs, food, and cleats tossed around in the van.

The Laundry

You would think this would be a complete duh moment, but, really, I hadn’t done the math before he started playing. He can’t re-wear practice clothes when they are soaked in mud and rain (thank you Washington!) and same goes with game day clothes. With the level he plays at, there is a uniform for practice and a uniform for the games, plus two sets different colors he has to have at each game. I really underestimated the power of a stain treatment and amount of clothes a boy can go through.

You Realize You Are *That* Mom

You are that mom that never stops talking about her soccer athlete’s accomplishments, finding new places for him to play, training with him for the upcoming game, and the one cheering on him and his whole team every game! And of course, *that* mom is always prepared. She is always hauling around gear and extras (ice packs to snacks and drinks for the team).

 I love that my soccer athlete is dreaming big and I know he will follow through on what he wants in life. He has his whole career planned out and I can’t wait to be there for him to support his dreams and watch them come true. I love that POWERADE recognizes the potential of young athletes and has started the new “Just A Kid” program! 

What do you do to encourage your athlete? Anything you wish you had known before becoming a soccer parent?