Grasshopper New Media Presents...

I’m a Soccer Mom.

(And I really mean that)

Not only am I a player, I am a coach. Coaching is something I take very seriously and enjoy very much.

A few years ago, when I made the decision to coach one of my daughter’s teams, I was terrified. Despite playing soccer myself for as long as I could remember, I had never taken the initiative to share my love for the game with children. Eventually, I got over my fear and realized that the reasons I am a strong player also made me a strong coach. Dedication to the sport and wanting others to experience it allowed me to relax the pressure I put on myself. It really is just about teaching the game and how fun it is.

This past summer, my daughter’s ten year-old team won the end-of-year championship tournament. The moment the final whistle blew and we knew we had won, I looked across the field and right into Kristyn’s eyes. We ran to each other and I scooped her up. The entire team surrounded us. We were crying. We were laughing. We were so proud. Two moments I will never forget about being her parent will be seeing her for the first time, and remembering her face on that championship day. I was so proud of her, her friends and myself.

Coaching a team sport hasn’t only made me a better player, it’s made me a better parent.

1. One-on-one time with one of my children. When you’re the Mom to many (or any), you can’t put a price on that.

2. Witnessing my child with her peers. I didn’t realize how cool my daughter is until I saw how cool others clearly think she is.

3. More exercise. I spend a lot of time being active, going to the gym, running. By not only calling out a specific skill, but also by leading and participating, I gained that much more time working out. Meaning less time in the gym!

4. Getting the chance to see how proud your team members make their own parents. You really see the best of parents as they watch their children work hard and have fun. They glow with pride.

5. Being a part of a female team, you get to see “girl power” in action - and promote women in sport. This one is huge for me!

6. Teaching your child how to be a gracious winner. When you win, shake hands with the other team and show sincerity. Those ten or so tiny eyes will be on you. They’re watching your cues on how to behave as a victor. Showing them it’s okay to celebrate, but still be respecting their friends, is a life-lesson that will last forever.

7. Teaching your child how to be a gracious loser (and loser is a term I wish we could find another word for). I know it sounds clichè, but trying hard and having fun really is all that matters. I’ve coached games where ten year-old girls were having so much fun, they had no idea what the score was.

8. Making new friends in other parents. If you’re a respectful coach who listens to parents concerns and ideas, you have nowhere to go but up. The parents of the children I’ve coached are now people I consider friends.

9. Setting an example by giving of yourself. Children learn what they live. Parents who volunteer their time have children who become parents and volunteer their time.

10. Confidence building. Not only theirs - yours. When you’ve caught the attention and inspiration of ten or so young kids and watched them implement your plans and ideas, you feel amazing. Knowing that these kids trusted me and were inspired by me made me feel more confident than any new haircut or great pair of shoes.

[tags]soccer, mom, dad, coach, confidence, friends, parents, daughters, sons, ball, teaching[/tags]

Thanks to rgusick from Flickr, for the photo, used under a Creative Commons License.