Vintage Restyled: Team Player

Monday, May 25, 2015

Team Player

Happy Summer!

We kicked off Summer with sunny skies and perfect temperatures. Bliss

I enjoyed 3 soccer games in Erie, PA and Hubby took in 3 plus the championship game in Columbus. We enjoyed every minute of it.

Normally, I would shift gears and share a before & after, but I want to continue with the sports theme.

Both of our girls play travel soccer. It's a choice we made as a family many years ago. The girls love it, we enjoy our soccer families and have made the financial & time commitment.

It's a choice.

I feel strongly that kids should participate in a team activity. Even when my oldest swam, we encouraged a team environment as well.

This weekend I traveled with my oldest to Edinboro University for two days of games. The team had meals together, played cards in the evening and some shared rooms. It was great bonding, even with a few losses.

Teams are made through wins and losses.

Teams are made both on and off the field.

Leading up to the weekend, our goalie said she would not make the trip if she would only be in goal.

That was a tough pill to swallow. The girls felt let down by one of their own. Parents were not pleased.

It was her decision, made with her parents.

With two teenage girls, I am constantly saying, "this is a life lesson". This is certainly a teaching moment. This won't be the last time they experience something like this and this strong feeling of disappointment.

So what did I do?

I encouraged my daughter to play her best. To have fun and not to stress over it all. I told her to remember how disappointed she felt, and to not make others feel that way-either in soccer or life.

I made memories with my daughter and her teammates and bonded with the parents. I didn't cook, clean or paint. We slept in each day and ate yummy meals with friends.

Soccer is so much more than 70 minutes on the field. I think my 14 year old learned more about the meaning of being a team this weekend, than she has the last nine years.