How we do sports in our family....

I always assumed that we would be like most other families in the world who taxi their kids from sporting event to sporting event and whose lives are ruled by the sport seasons. That was sort of what I was planning on.

Then I had two boys signed up for soccer one season and I quickly realized that that was not going to work for me. I did not have the energy or desire to spend every afternoon/evening in the car or watching a practice or game, or trying to get my babies to take naps in cars or on the sidelines. And I could not figure out how to be in two places at once. There's a secret to that, and I don't know it.

After trying to do the two kids in sports thing, I came to the conclusion and told my family that it was not going to work for us. If they wanted a sane mother, we were going to have to do it a bit differently.

We decided that as each sport/season came around, one child would be allowed to participate and the rest of the family would support that child for that season. Then, when the next season came around, a different child would get the opportunity to participate and the whole family would support that child. And so on.

That worked pretty well for a while. I did feel guilty, like I was depriving my kids of something they should have had, but I knew my limits. Then, I felt completely vindicated when Elder Oaks gave his Good, Better, Best talk in General Conference that touched on this topic. I knew I did not need to feel guilty any longer and I haven't.

At one point we actually decided to not enroll the kids in any sporting seasons and to take the money we would have spent on that and buy a pass to the Provo Rec Center instead. That way we could all go swimming as a family unlimited times and it would be a recreational activity for the whole family. We did that for a year or two.

When we moved to Monticello and enrolled the kids back in public schools, I knew they would want to participate in school sports. The first spring we were here, Cambria was invited to play Spring Volleyball, which is pretty much club volleyball. There was a lot of driving to neighboring towns for weekly tournaments and again I realized that it was more than I was up for. Particularly with a young, nursing baby. I told her that I was not sure I wanted her to do it the following year, and thankfully she didn't really want to be in it again.

But we have had kids in Cross Country, Football, Track & Field, Basketball and Drama, Band, and Choir at MHS.

There are people/parents in town who follow their children to every game all over the area as well as the state. With a family as large as ours, we have not been able to do that. Even if we wanted to. So again, we modify our expectations and it works for our family. I tell my kids that if their meet, game or event takes place within an hour of our home, I will most likely come watch, unless there is something pressing at home. I have, at times, gotten to go to State competitions, but its not expected so it's always a nice surprise for the kids if I do go.

Cambria and I were talking one time about it and she said she was fine with me not being at every event and that it made it a bit more special when I was able to go.

As a coach for Track, Curtis has been able to be at all the T&F meets with the kids through the years.

So between the two of us, we do the best we can to support our kids in their athletic/music endeavors as they explore their talents and interests. We are thankful for the opportunities they have had to try things to see what they are interested in or what they might be good at, as well as what they do not like.