You know that mom that won't stop talking about how superior their child is to all others? And the mom that complains relentlessly about the coach, the other players, the club, the uniforms, the weather, the refs...you name it. Oh and the mom that won't mingle with anyone whose kids "lost the game" or are not as good as their own? Then there are the dads that think each game or competition is an Olympic trial. And tthe coaches that teach their players how to foul without getting caught.
You need to vent, you need support, you need proven tips for coping, proof that you are still sane and have what it takes to survive without ever becoming "that mom." Yet you have no one to turn to that is not on your team or nearing the threshod of "friend fatigue" from listening to your war stories a bit too much?
Now you do. This site is the venting post for all sports moms who need help, want to help, are searching for advice to help themselves and their athletes, and just want to mingle online with like-minded souls that get their world. Join now and spread the word so we can get as many good ideas that work as possible from like-minded moms around the country.The purpose of this blog is to help us all know we are normal (to be debated in some cases I know) and that we are not alone! Each week I plan to post tips from parents, coaches, even athletes about key issues and dilemmas facing Sports Moms of all sports.
Here's just some of the themes I plan to cover along with topics you post and ask about:
- Bullying among team members, from other teams, and how to fix it
- Dealing with coaches that ruin the fun with extreme behavior and coaching practices
- When kids lose interest: Is it real or just a sign that something is not right with the team
- Bully moms and dads: how to keep them from ruining it for everyone
- How to deal in a world where Youth Sports are about Adults' Careers
- Budgeting: At what point do you get real?
- Scholarships and how to find them...what sports, what colleges, what gives?
- Abuse issue; How to report and resolve physical, sexual or emotional abuse from adult leaders
- Laws governing adults in youth sports: what are your rights, your kids' rights and more
I'm a mom of three alpine ski racers, club soccer players and married to a US Hall of Famer for the US Ski Team so I am smack dab in the middle of this world whether I want to be or not. And like psychologists who go into the profession to help themeselves, I guess I am selfishly doing the same! So here's the plan: I'll do the research to share what "experts" are saying about many real and actionable topics such as those listed above and you provide the examples of how you've coped in your life and the questions we other moms can help answer for you. And spread the word so we can get as many perspectives as possible, whether our kids' passions are soccer, football, baseball, volleyball, dance, biking, swimming, lacrosse, rugby, tennis, gymnastics, and more.
Join the conversation and learn how to enjoy youth sports as much as your kids do once again or forever more.
Jeanette McMurtry
