By Kakie Fitzsimmons, Vice President and founding partner, Farmer’s Hat Productions co-author Bur Bur and Friends book series

When we chose to become authors of Bur Bur and Friends, multicultural children’s books that educate kids about sports, outdoor exploration and active play, it did not occur to us that it would change how we watch these activities.

Now, I find myself taking mental notes and paying closer attention as I watch how the kids play together. It is exciting to see them catching on as they learn more about the sport and teamwork. It has become more intriguing to watch the different ways a coach interacts with the kids and encourages their growth.

As parents, we wander around trying to figure out the whole balancing act thing. How do we define balance? What is it supposed to look like? Is there any one right way? Something happened to me the other night that I think many of you can relate to if your kids are in sports… I felt compelled to share it. Below is an hour and ten minutes in the life of a soccer mom:

5:00 Pick up my son from school. He dawdles behind me as I charge quickly to the car because I know we are on a tight schedule today. “Hurry up honey,” I say with encouragement. He gets in the car as I continue: “Close the door please” I proceed to buckle him in and take off in a flash.
5:10 Arrive home to get dressed for soccer. Tears – can’t find his shin guards or soccer shorts. (he is hungry and about to have a meltdown.) Begin searching the entire house frantically because I know if we don’t get food quick he will fall apart more.
5:15 Finally – Found what we need. Now he needs help putting his socks and gear on so I sit on the floor to comply.
5:24 Out the door for the 6:00 game, but we have to go to a McD’s for a meal.
5:35 My phone rings, it’s one of my business partners. We think it is going to be one of those quick discussions. (yeah - right)
5:37 While holding the phone with my left hand, I tell my phone call to hold on, place the order while trying to reach in my purse to find my credit card with the other hand. (The ultimate multi-task)
5:42 Pull up to the first window after still searching for the card. Finally find it and hand it to the attendant. (still talking)
5:43 Pull up to the second window and gather the drinks and food
5:48 Pull away from the drive-through, still chatting with my ear holding the phone to my right shoulder. “Hold on.” I pass the Happy Meal back to him while driving. I then proceed to continue the phone conversation.
5:51 Very loud wailing from the back seat with tears, while I am on the phone. “I don’t have any ketchup for my fries!” DRAMA!
5:53 Tell phone call I need to go and my mind is reeling like crazy trying to balance being on time for the game, being a business owner who has a full time job outside of my business, writer, single mom, soccer mom, etc.
5:57 Arrive to the field.
6:00 Open my trunk, pull out my fold-up chair, carrying my purse, book bag, his soccer ball, bottle of water and my drink from the fast food place. Then try to figure out which field we are on. Of course, no one is there yet, even though it starts at 6:00.
6:05 Finally coach shows up and points us in the right direction.
6:10 FINALLY - I get to sit down and breathe!!!

Is this schedule chaos or comedy? Let me know what you think or if you have similar experiences or perspective that you’d like to share!

I know there is going to be a day when I will miss moments (or hours) of chaos that some of this brings. I know there will be times I will look back and laugh hysterically. It is fun to see him running around the field and suddenly I get a moment and remember, this is what it is all really about. Sometimes I cheer on the kids on the other team so he can see me demonstrating good sportsmanship. It is about being there for him, encouraging his participation and routing for him the whole time. I am the one person in his life that will always be in his corner and that is all that matters. I hope he remembers it someday and smiles too.

Book Covers from the award winning Bur Bur and Friend’s children’s book series: Bur Bur and Friends is a cast of multicultural characters who educate kids about self-esteem, sports, outdoor exploration and active play though their experiences.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 at 12:05 pm and is filed under Community Board. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.