We are a busy family. We are busy adults who raised busy children, and all of us like to fit as many things into one day/week/month/season as possible.
I’m not sure if it’s a fear of missing out or the wise words of my grandmother, “The devil can’t get ya if he can’t catch ya,” but we thrive on our ability to never stop.
The fall sports season happens to be when we run the most, with children in athletic activities just about every evening. We haven’t had a family meal together since July, and if you haven’t either, you, too, just might be a Fall Sports Parent.
More:Karrie McAllister: Amazing mom feats of heat
If the trunk of your vehicle is filled with folding chairs, rain gear, extra blankets, padded bleacher seat cushion, partially wet towels and a can of air freshener, you might be a Fall Sports Parent.
The hot dog test
If you’ve eaten a hot dog for dinner that was prepared by a band parent and wrapped in foil at least twice this week, you might be a Fall Sports Parent. Even more so, if you know which local schools serve the best hot dogs with sauerkraut and plan your weekly meals around where your child’s team is playing, you might be the Fall Sports Parent of a Senior. (You know who you are, and we thank you!)
If your autumn wardrobe consists 98% of your child’s school colors and your laundry schedule is based around which uniform needs to be clean by which day, you might be a Fall Sports Parent. For bonus points, you may find yourself wearing a spirited T-shirt covered by a long sleeve, with a hoodie and a raincoat in tow because the weather could go from 85 to 50 by the time the game finishes.
More:‘ I don’t want anyone to go through what I went through’ – COVID survivor urges vaccine
Raspy voice is a sure giveaway
If people ask you if you are ill, have severe allergies or were a chain smoker for 45 years when they hear you talk, and you reply back to them with hoarse whispers and mediocre sign language that there was a big game/meet/match yesterday, you might be a Fall Sports Parent.
If you sit down at the kitchen table on Sunday evening with a dozen schedules and a color-coded calendar with sticky notes and have to give yourself random pep talks of encouragement and text at least three people asking if they can take your kid home from practice, you might be a Fall Sports Parent.
If at the end of the day, you plop on the couch, digesting your hotdog and bundled up in your spirit wear and think to yourself, “I’m so lucky to be able to watch my kids do amazing things because they are growing up so very fast,” you’re more than just a Fall Sports Parent.
You’re absolutely right.
