Being A Soccer Mom

I'm a soccer Mom. I've been a hockey Mom, a cross country Mom, and a combination of all three, but now I'm just a soccer Mom. All three involve giving rides home to several boys, body odor, laundry and a lot of baking. Boys smell and they are always hungry.

Ben plays for the Modified team (junior high), the City Rec program and soon the City Travel program. He plays center defense for the Modified team, any position for the Rec team, and right wing for the Travel team. Three coaches, three opinions on how best to use Ben's skill and speed. He doesn't care, he justs wants to play. One coach can't remember his name, even though he is a captain, the Rec coach loves him except when he's flirting with his daughter Sophia, and the third coach thinks he's a quiet, polite kid. Go figure! All three teams have slightly different blue uniforms and soccer socks. It is not unusual to have three different variations of three different uniforms on several boys at each different game. All the kids play for the same three leagues.

I love watching them play. Seventh and eighth grade boys are so silly. The ball hits someone in the crotch and they all stop and laugh. In Rec soccer they play with the girls and it's fun to watch as they harrass each other, flirt with the girls, and on occassion take it seriously and make a good play. They are just starting find their competitive, aggressive side and really take it seriously. The Modified coach, who's from Ecuador, when I can understand him, is not impressed with them, even though they are league champions. "It means nothing. The other side should not have the ball more than 2 minutes!". The players roll their eyes. The last game is Wednesday. They are wondering if I am going to make brownies.

I love being a soccer Mom, and with Sam at College, I'm not torn as to which event to go to. I love making the goodies and giving kids rides. I hate the cold and rain, but I've learned to keep warm stuff in the car. I hate the laundry, but I've learned to wash stuff immediately for best results. And I've learned that Ben doesn't really care about how clean it is or if it smells bad. I've learned that a group hug from a bunch of smelly boys because I brought goodies, is awesome. And I'm really trying to learn to stay out of all the crappy parental, coach and soccer board politics and just let Ben play.