I must admit that I am a relatively new parent in the world of organized sports for children, but in the last two years since my son began playing sports, I have noticed a few patterns emerging among the mothers. It's all these different personalities and styles that allow our kids to have great experiences out on the sports field. Mothers are vital and integral and amazing. What kind of sports mom are you?
The Chatter: This Mom can often be heard saying things like, "Oh no! I missed it! Did you see it? What happened?" She is a social creature who loves small talk and getting to know the other parents and families. She spends most practices and games chatting with her old and new friends on the team. By the end of the season, she knows every child, their families and their business because she has a way with words that allows everyone to open up to her. If you need to know anything about anyone on the team, you can go to "The Chatter". You may notice another Mom, "The Quiet Observer", looking around to spot "The Chatter" before choosing a seat as far away as possible from her.
The Quiet Observer: That's because this Mom just wants to watch the game. There is a strong possibility that she is an introvert or works in the education field or perhaps she has a strong sports background herself. The last thing she wants to do is wrangle children for another two hours a day or she knows if anyone learns about her sports knowledge, she may find herself coaching next season. If you watch this Mom carefully however, you may witness her quietly reinforcing the coaches requests of players in just the right way to get through to that particular child or giving a calm, quiet word of encouragement to the player who needs it most as they pass her by. Sometimes, despite "The Quiet Observer's" best efforts, "The Chatter" can break "The Quiet Observer" down with her exceptional social skills and the two form an unbreakable bond that follows them beyond the day they send their children off to college.
The Organizer: "The Quiet Observer" is eternally grateful for this Mom. Without "The Organizer", who often takes on the role of team manager, there would be no team. This Mom happily spends hours after her children fall asleep ordering team hoodies and sending out endless emails and schedules. At practices and games, she willingly hops up to help the coach before she or he can finish the sentence, "I need someone to ____". She will even occasionally show up at the field with her barbecue, hot dog buns and a package of wieners in tow, so that the players can have a meal together after practice. This Mom bravely approaches "The Quiet Observer" to make sure she is kept in the loop of information and often finds herself regularly listening to the gripes of the other parents, especially those of "The Competitor".
The Competitor: This Mom strongly believes that the children should be pushed harder, even though they are eight years old. She knows of many other teams who practice twice as much and the coach runs the kids twice as hard. Her child can often be seen changing into another uniform for another sport before leaving a practice or a game. "The Competitor" means well. She wants the children to learn the many life lessons that sports can offer RIGHT NOW. She wants them to learn to work hard, be fit, work as a team and follow instructions. She may also believe that her child is going to make it to the pros and unfortunately, that belief occasionally leads her to be especially hard on her child but thankfully, "The Encourager" is there to balance the negativity out a bit.
The Encourager: This Mom is a shining source of positivity. She knows nothing about the sport but man, is she positive. Because she knows little or nothing about sports, this Mom can often be heard yelling exactly what the Coach yelled out, right after he yelled it out. An echo of sorts! You may also hear some generic phrases of encouragement she has learned over the course of the season such as, "Pay attention out there! Ready position! C'mon fill in team colour here!" This is also the angelic Mom who greets each child as they come off the field or court with a "Good job! or Good game!".
The Drop Off Mom: Similar to "The Quiet Observer", you may not get to know this Mom through the season. That is because for whatever reason, she doesn't stay at most practices or games. Maybe she works three jobs to support her family and has to drop her child off at the field on her lunch break, or maybe she has two other older children who also play sports and needs to also take them to a practice or a game. Often you will see "The Organizer" step in to help this Mom out through the season with rides home or assisting "The Drop-Off Mom's" child with equipment during the game when their Mom can't be there.
The Toddler Mom: If you need her, this Mom is usually found across the field or outside at the playground with her other child, the toddler. Occasionally she carries the screaming younger sibling back to the game for a few minutes but still doesn't get to watch the game because "The Chatter" catches her on her way and gives her an update on all the plays she herself missed, as the toddler tries to wriggle out of "The Toddler Mom's" tired arms. Eventually "The Toddler Mom" realizes she was actually able to watch more of the game from the playground and she puts the toddler back down just to follow them back across the field or out the door, as she gives her player a thumbs up and a wave to let them know she is still watching.
I began writing what was intended to be a funny, lighthearted look at the different personalities of Moms at the game, but it very quickly morphed into a piece that explores the importance of these different personalities. Without all of these Moms on one team, our children would not be having such a rich and well-rounded experience playing sports. We all have different strengths and different qualities to offer, which enrich our children's lives. We all seem to accept each other, step up to fulfill our roles and help each other out when needed.
As "The Quiet Observer" myself, I have grown to appreciate all of these other Moms. If it weren't for them and of course the wonderful parents who volunteer their time to coach and coordinate sports teams for kids, my son may not be learning all of the amazing life lessons that organized sports offer. So kudos to you, "The Chatter","The Quiet Observer", "The Organizer", "The Competitor", "The Drop Off Mom", and "The Toddler Mom". I am so thankful for all of you!
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