By OkayGoal 
Before the official soccer season begins, there’s a lot of preseason prepping to do as a parent to get your child ready. There are parent meetings to attend and maybe a few light conditioning sessions. Then, once the season kicks off, it can feel like an overload of responsibility piling on you. Because truth be told, soccer season is a very busy time. But to get through it, there are a few things you should know that can help you be prepared and survive it.
Keeping your schedule organized is key to surviving soccer season as a parent
Credit: UnsplashThere are many calendar options to help you stay organized during the soccer season, you just need to find the one that works best for you. Whether it’s a physical planner or the calendar app, make sure to jot down dates for the following (plus any other important events) so you’re prepared for the busy days ahead:
- weekly practices
- game days (be sure to note which are home and which are away)
- team meetings
- parent meetings
- carpool schedules (if you and another parent plan to share rides)
- tournament travel dates
- picture day
- fundraisers
- volunteer sign-ups or team events
It’s also a good idea to color-code these events and even include other activities for your kids if they’re involved in extracurriculars. This way, you’ll know at a glance who needs to be where, and when, so nothing slips through the cracks.
Budget for expenses
Credit: UnsplashSoccer season can cost anywhere from around $250 to over $3,000 per season. This typically covers uniforms, registration fees and game-day costs, according to parents who’ve shared on Facebook, what they spend each year. Knowing how much you’ll need to pay (and when) is key to keeping your child in the game while still keeping up with your other financial obligations.
Your best bet is to work these costs into your budget ahead of time so you’re fully prepared. You may also want to set aside a little extra for new cleats or replacement gear. As you may already know, your child’s gear may wear out or they may outgrow it.
Prepare yourself mentally
Budgeting and scheduling are key to surviving soccer season as a parent. But it’s just as important to prepare yourself mentally for what’s ahead. That starts with not becoming the over achieving or overly critical soccer parent. Of course, you want your kids to win and to give them every opportunity to succeed. However, you don’t want to burn yourself out, or worse, burn them out in the process. You also don’t want to push them away, especially when they’re still young and learning what it means to be dedicated, competitive, and active.
According to Jonathan Carone, creator of the podcast Healthy Sports Parents, which helps parents navigate youth sports, “Don’t push them too far, too fast.” He adds, “If we can let the kid lead, then we’re more likely going to not burn them out, not push them too far, too fast. And we’re going to let them have ownership of this journey as opposed to trying to micromanage it because of some type of unrealistic expectation we have.”
Adopt a Soccer-Friendly Diet
Soccer season is just as intense for you as it is for your kids. And you want them to be physically and mentally ready for it. According to the University of Chicago Medicine, young athletes should eat meals rich in protein and carbohydrates with a low glycemic index to help maintain energy levels.
To make things easier, preplan meals and healthy soccer snacks so your child is getting the right fuel, and you’re not struggling to throw something together at the last minute.
And with that, here’s to a smooth and successful soccer season!