Moms of fall!!

THE MOMS OF FALL!!

Every Sunday from September until November ish, I wake early to make sure all their pads are on jerseys, the water bottles are full, mouth guards, rib protectors and socks are all out.

I’m packing the backpack full of snacks, drinks, supplies, extra everything!! The boys first game is at 11:30 AM (arrival 10:15). We go, JV 11/12 year olds, Varsity 13/14 year olds 1:00 PM and Pee Wee 9 & 10 year olds at 2:30.

 It doesn't sound like a long day but for a mama it’s a long day!

The intensity of the games, constant excitement but also the all consuming worry. The every breath that’s held before a hit, after a hit, flag thrown, player down and on their knees.

It took me years to allow them to play tackle. After years of sports seeing many injuries, broken bones, concussions and worse I agreed! Yes they are protected well, but those three humans are literally the reason I breathe and you do not know what to expect from the opposing teams, some are ruthless, playing dirty and s*** talking and the referees often turn a blind eye.

  My oldest is on Varsity this year (not high school yet, 8th grade for the town). He’s been playing sports with his best friend (who feels like my 4th son) for almost 10 years. They are both fearless, they can read each other’s minds. These two boys pretty call the plays on offense and defense. They live and breathe this game for 4-5 months.

  Our league does not require EMS/EMT on the sides line. Our board members took a CPR with AED course but as a registered nurse and mama of ferocious boys that does nothing to make me feel better. So this mama went and demanded team mom status again this year, way back in the early spring.

 I pack my goody bag every game day with saline, non adherence gauze, rolled gauze, sports tape, a pen light (concussion), bacitracin, butterfly Band-Aids, ibuprofen, finger splints, turf tape and more. You name it I have it. Our league has ice packs, sports tape and woven gauze. I learned the hard way I needed to pack my own medical bag. Luckily 13 year’s as a skilled home care nurse, I have an insane amount of wound supplies.

  Many of these 30 hormonal, football loving boys wouldn’t come off that field unless dragged. My son and his BFF play both sides all almost all game long. I’m always watching for signs from my these boys, & asking coaches to pull them out to tape them up, assess them and send them back to trenches, or running during a time out to throw them what they need quickly. I'm also the mama running to the other team as soon as asked, when one of their player goes down! 

  I am a lucky mama though, out of 30 players I’ve known at least 20 of them since Kindergarten, from school or other in town sports. Some I met at the pool club this year and a few I’ve just met. These boys trust me, they trust my son as a captain of their team, therefore they trust me, (plus I am a pretty cool mom)😁

  Team mom is no joke, respect your team moms. I’m constantly assessing, bandaging, having players sit against their will lol just to regain some hydration and composure.

I’m also asking for and donations (always) to team baskets coach gifts, half time fruit and more. I am an RN but no Pinterest mom so some of these tasks are carefully thought out but never turn as originally planned and to be honest completely torturous lol.

  The constant begging of parents/guardians to sign up for concessions and chains. Football is a whole different beast compared to soccer, baseball or basketball.

 Team moms are chasing for report cards, birth certificates and physicals from June-September.

Team moms are the ones that get ALL the questions especially from new football parents, and believe me, we do not have all of these answers.

We have a great coach but at times needs to be reminded of the ages and different abilities to ensure safety, for their focus is on winning and watching the plays.

My other two boys, their team moms are great don’t get me wrong, but they’re not ME!! They are not medical professionals and yes again not me lol.

  They don’t LOVE my boys (trust me I know, not all team moms are cut from my cloth lol).

  I feel I can’t fully enjoy the games due to the constant worry. Yes I get overjoyed when one makes a run; a sac or tackle or maybe even a TD!! Also holding her breath while he’s making the run just awaiting that crash as he get smashed on all sides by the opposing team trying to stop him, kid put on your fastest wheels before I have a heart attack!!

 I’m the mom not in the stands very often. I’m the one pacing up and down the sideline of the field (when not on the field with my oldest) of the field to watch their every move.

 I can’t sit and chit chat meaningless conversations while my heart is literally on the field for over 3 hours every Sunday!!

  So yes Sundays are for football, the boys of fall, but don’t forget the mama’s especially your team mama’s, and all the mama’s with their hearts on that field.

Share with your families or friends that may or MAY not understand why you're the way you are this time of year!!