Soccer done?

I'm still amazed when I come home after work and stay home all evening. That wasn't the case a few weeks ago. We were running four nights a week to different soccer pitches throughout Mill Woods. I'm sure Daniel, who we invited to join us, thought we were either crazy or was pleasantly pleased to have run of the house every Monday to Thursday evening throughout May and June.

We should have changed the message on our phone, "You've reached the Taylor household but we won't be home again until after soccer season thanks to two boys on two separate schedules." Last February, I thought I was being especially smart when I signed the boys up for soccer on separate nights (Sean on Mondays and Wednesdays and Connor on Tuesdays and Thursdays). It was to cut down on the running around I witnessed other soccer families experience with having to drop one child off and then race to another field to drop off the second child. They could only chat for a few minutes before tearing off to the first field to pick up a child in hopes or returning in time to pick up the second child. They didn't get to sit down for a single game all season.

Even without coaching or managing either of the boys' soccer teams this year, it was hectic to get everyone fed, dressed, arrive at the field (almost never on time), go home, prepare the boys for bed and then make lunches, reload school bags before falling exhausted into bed as well.

So why put ourselves through this annual ordeal? I'd like to say its because I have a budding Beckham, but my kids were more likely to score on the wrong goal or get too physical with the other players. No, I'd say we do it because the boys look forward to it and I enjoy the skills sports teach children - cooperation, sportsmanship, friendship, camraderie. I recently found a quote I love: "Sports do not build character... they reveal it." - John Wooden

I'm not bent on the boys going into soccer next year. In fact, I won't be surprised when Sean or Connor choose another sport as I noticed Sean's U8 league was more competitive. That will naturally cull a lot of children who aren't future soccer stars, but it gave them a chance to try it before tackling something else,... after we all take a break this summer.