After the Regional semi’s. Grateful they’re still smiling.
Basketball season ended last week for us, after a hard defeat in the Regional semi-finals. It was the final game for my graduating senior and a break from 19 straight months of one sport or another for my 10th grader.
As I drove the 3 hours home, Matt and Annalise asleep on their pillows in the backseat of the van and Seth and Zach on the team bus, I reflected on the season. The flurry of practices and games was now over. And we were all disappointed that the team wouldn’t advance.
Yet my heart was full from all that the season had given us. There are many reasons why I love having my kids in sports. The daily workouts that drain the raging testosterone desperately needing an outlet (hooray for worn-out teen boys!), the good competition that pushes them a bit further each day, the need to work with teammates and coaches.
But, personally, one of the things I love most about having my kids in sports is that I get to be the cheerleader.
Cheering on #3 during the regular season.
I’ve loved cheering this one on for 12 years.
That’s a healthy role for a mom of teens. In the day-to-day of chores and school work and living under the same roof, I don’t always get to cheerlead. More often, I need to correct or enforce or remind or admonish. And though these boys bring lots of laughter and smiles into my days, there are plenty of times I have to be the alarm clock, the reminder, the cattle goad and the strong spine.
But with sports, I’m the cheerleader. That’s it. There are others who will teach them and motivate them, pull them out when necessary or call the violations. My job is to applaud and whoop and holler. And I’m pretty good at that when they’re on the court.
2 points!
Shooting from the outside at the Regional semi’s.
Plus I get to root them on in other ways throughout the season. I get to work the mom magic, taking that pair of mud-caked dingy-gray practice pants my son hands me and give them back all clean and white.
I get to heap their plates with a carbelicious pre-game meal and then heap it a bit more with post-game eggs and hasbrowns. I get to treat them to a steady supply of Gatorade during basketball and Snickers during track and once when they needed to be really fast, a hand-crafted beet smoothie. Maybe it did or didn’t make them faster, but there was a lot of love served up with it and I like to think it gave them a mental edge.
I love being in the stands at the far away games, even when they say, “It’s a long way mom; you don’t have to come.” In the years to come, I want them to remember that as much as we were able, we were in the stands cheering for them. And win or lose, hearing the words “I love watching you play” as they give that big, sweaty hug after the game.
This boy. The toughest of seasons but we cheered all the way through it!
Sweaty hugs after senior night!
Parenting teens is not easy. It will bring the best of parents to their knees. And for moms and sons, as special as that relationship is, the teen years can get strained.
As my sons get into their late teen years, it’s harder and harder to parent them the way I did when they were 8 or 12. While teen boys clearly need parenting and limits, it’s hard for a 5’ 4” mom to boss a 6’ 3” son. It was much easier to hand those moments over to my own 6’ 3” husband.
Being a cheerleader, rather than overseer, strengthens the relationship. It’s a shift that will happen more and more as these sons grow into men. And so for all the driving and washing and evenings home late, sports has been good for us. We’ll sit out a self-imposed margin for several weeks so that we have time and room for other things that need attention. But after that, I plan to be back at it for spring football.
*This post was teen boy approved before I hit publish. 😉
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Yes Lisa!!!
I too have LOVED cheering my kids on in sports. Now that we have moved we are in different circumstances. Even though I don’t get the opportunity to cheer my son on in sports, I cheer him on in his work. His school work and his job. He is a dependable/hard worker at his job and he is responsible in keeping up with his school work. So even though I miss cheering him on from the stands… I’m enjoying “cheering” him on as he becoming a hard working, responsible man. Oh how the years have flown by. My heart is happy and sad.
Rene’
It feels good to move to position as cheerleader doesn’t it! Yes, always mixed feelings as they grow up. xoxo friend!
What a great post – supporting your children in their sports is something they will always remember! Your husband would be SO proud of you.
That made me catch my breath a little Monique, not in a sad way, but in thankfulness for your atta girl. Thanks so much. 🙂
Lisa, Thanks so much for sharing that. It was beautifully worded! I needed encouragement to be my childrens’ cheerleader! As I read I thought, “yes! That’s what I’m missing! I love opportunities to be their cheerleader!” So, my new goal is to be their biggest fan…in schooling, in chores, in sports! Thanks for the reminder. Love your sweet family!
Carol, it’s such sweet relief for kids and mom in the teen years. Good to hear from you! xo
Beautifully written, Lisa. We are in the same boat–with the teens and the sports. 🙂 And it’s a good one to be in.
Many blessings.
It is a good one, Susan! I wouldn’t trade it!
This is so sweet! I’m the oldest of six, and although I never played sports, 3 of my younger siblings did (1 still does). My other 2 siblings and I did academics, theater, and band though. We each had our own “thing.” And our parents were/are the best cheerleaders for all 6 of us! I saw their example – exactly how you described how you are with your sons – and what a shining example of love it is! Sounds like your sons have a fabulous mom! Thanks for sharing this! -Jess
Sweet Little Ones
P.S. We have a link up every Tuesday morning – you should join us! Your posts would be perfect! Tuesday Talk at 8am EST 🙂
Jess, I love to hear experiences from kids in big families! I will mark that and hop over there on Tuesday. Thank you!
This post brings back many happy memories of sports with our boys. Such happy times. I’m glad you’re enjoying your boys. Great post!
What a great post! My oldest is a 6th grader so I have many more months of games and practices ahead of us but this is a good reminder even as a mom of younger kids of how fast the time goes and really to sit down, enjoy, and relish in the moment! Thank you for linking up at Women With Intention Wednesdays! I look forward to seeing what you share with us this week!
Lisa,
What a Great tribute to a life well lived. Your Dan, our Friend lived CHRIST before all of us that were blessed to know him. He has invested more in Matt, Annalise, Ben, Rachael, Nick, Seth, and Zack than most men having twice his years. Matt’s prayers are a testament to that. I quickly learned of Dan’s commitment to his family and to Christ, as the three of us presented God’s word to the 6th. graders at FBC each week. He was a man among men and I will always be thankful for the years we had teaching God’s word together. We pray for all of you and now have sweet Elizabeth on our list as well. Nahum 1:7
You are always so affirming. I appreciate you and Jade!