Whether your kids are into hockey, football or cheerleading like mine, it’s the season for much sports and athletics. Between driving your athlete to endless practices, organizing fundraisers, meetings, games or competitions, and maintaining the sporting gear, there’s no denying that being a parent is a busy but rewarding job.
I may complain about the hectic cheer schedule from time to time for my 3 competitive cheerleaders, but really, I absolutely love it. My girls are doing what they wholeheartedly love and gaining so much from the sport. The team camaraderie is infectious and seeing kids determination and go-get-em attitude is priceless.
Here are some ways to prepare for activity seasons worst, to ensure it’s the best:
1) Develop a routine: Because the athletic activity season is so busy, establishing a scheduled routine is key. This includes making time for homework between school and practice, ensuring the gear is packed ahead of time and coordinating carpool schedules. Pro tip: create a check-list for your child to follow so they can learn to manage their own time and ensure they’re well prepared for each event or activity.
2) Banish smelly gear: It’s always surprising how such a big smell can come from a small kid! Sporting gear is bound to collect sweat when your kid is working their heart out, so make sure you stop odours before they start. First, air it all out after each use {phew, those shoes take a smelly beating!}. Do not – I repeat, do not – leave everything in a zipped up bag! Second, regularly wash items that can be machine washed. Pro tip: Use a detergent that’s up to the challenge such as OxiCleanTM HD Liquid Laundry Detergent and Arm & HammerTM Plus OxiCleanTM Cold Water Power Paks – they are my go-to favourites!
3) Maintain a positive attitude: The number one goal (pun intended!) for your child during activity season should be to have fun. Whether it’s a “win” or “lose” in the end, each practice, game or event teaches your child how to work as a team and participate in friendly competition. These important life values are the true prize at the end of the season!
4) Get to know the fellow parents: Creating a network of other parents can add a fun social element to the experience for you. Plus, it’s a great way to stay connected and easily be able to coordinate carpools and call-in a last minute favour if you can’t make it one day.
5) Make some memories: The time that the kids are enthralled in sporting activities are the stuff memories are made of. Take photos, discuss events, and commemorate the time well – they’ll look back with great memories, which also include you!
What are your tips for surviving the kids activity season?
Disclosure: This is a compensated post, yet as always, all opinions are my own.
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Anne Taylor says
10/13/2016 at 2:17 pmMy grandson just started his first swimming lessons on Tuesday and he loves it!
Elaine G says
10/13/2016 at 3:37 pmmy niece and nephew are in gymnastics.
Tara Betterley says
10/13/2016 at 4:14 pmMy two kids both play Hockey. My son Midget AA and my daughter plays HL.
Wanda Tracey says
10/13/2016 at 5:30 pmThree of my grandsons play hockey and my granddaughter rides horses English
style and is also in ballet.
Tanis says
10/13/2016 at 11:25 pmJust swimming right now for my son. We will put him into “learning to skate”!
Jessica Bleasdale says
10/13/2016 at 11:44 pmWhere to begin? Lol. My kids have football, dance, hockey, swimming, running, skating, obstacle racing, soccer
Florence C says
10/14/2016 at 6:41 amThe grandchildren are into skating, swimming and volleyball.
Stephanie LaPlante says
10/14/2016 at 8:07 amMy little cousins are into football, hockey and gymnastics.
Luisa M. says
10/14/2016 at 8:31 amMy grand kids are in soccer now and finishing up Fall Baseball!!
Jonnie says
10/14/2016 at 8:48 amMy kids are in volleyball, lacrosse, swimming and track & field. They also play pond hockey with a group of friends.
Laurie P says
10/14/2016 at 9:30 amMy girl hasn’t started yet, but dance is coming up soon!
Melinda says
10/14/2016 at 10:03 amGetting to know fellow parents is a great tip! We often carpool and take turns driving children to events.
Karla Sceviour says
10/14/2016 at 1:23 pmMy son is in hockey,,and he has been for the last 13 years!
Rosanne Robinson says
10/14/2016 at 1:43 pmRight now my grandson is in hockey & swimming lessons and will be back in skiing lessons in January.
Robyn Bellefleur says
10/14/2016 at 2:05 pmMy daughter likes gymnastics and football.
Amy C says
10/14/2016 at 5:06 pmMy kids are in soccer.
Erinn Lishman says
10/14/2016 at 6:37 pmMy girls are just about to start Monkeynastiqs and I’d like to start them in swimming asap as well!
Judy Cowan says
10/15/2016 at 12:14 pmI don’t think my nieces/nephews are in any activities right now, they seem to do more spring/summer ones.
Judy Cowan says
10/15/2016 at 12:20 pmMy nieces/nephews are into more spring/summer activities so I don’t think they are into anything at the moment.
LisaM says
10/16/2016 at 5:34 amThis year Q has swimming lessons, ballet and gymnastics. Oh and choir and piano lessons! Whew.
angela m says
10/17/2016 at 10:15 amMy girls are in swimming lessons and gymnastics.
Amy Heffernan says
10/17/2016 at 1:59 pmMy son is in Beavers!
Christine Murray says
10/17/2016 at 3:58 pmArt lessons and Guitar lessons.
Wendy hutton says
10/17/2016 at 7:35 pmmy niece is taking swimming lessons and ballet classes
Elva Roberts says
10/18/2016 at 9:52 amMy great grandkids are in soccer, Music, hockey and swimming. My ‘kids’ and grandkids mostly run them to their activities. One grandchild(youngest) is in Elite Soccer, Jazz and Middle School(French Immersion) My son and his wife drive her.
The rest of my grandchildren are in college, or graduated or working.
Lots of news to share with all this family with this much activity going on.
Melinda Jana says
10/18/2016 at 5:34 pmhe loves soccer and karate
Jenny Major says
10/18/2016 at 5:44 pmmy kids love gymnastics
lori butler says
10/19/2016 at 7:51 amarchery and roller skating
Juliee Fitze says
10/19/2016 at 9:05 amMy grandkids play hockey and do swimming lessons.
Betty S says
10/19/2016 at 2:56 pmWE are a soccer family both indoor and out
ivy pluchinsky says
10/19/2016 at 7:54 pmMy niece is in gymnastics
Victoria Ess says
10/20/2016 at 7:59 amShe’s in swimming and skating!
Janet M says
10/29/2016 at 12:24 pmThanks for tips. I try to keep organized.
kathy downey says
11/22/2016 at 12:34 pmMy granddaughter does Hockey,karate