Now that the copious, dare I say ridiculous, amount of snow we got last winter has finally melted (more or less), it is time to once again turn our eyes to a certain Spring-time right of passage. High school softball.
Yes, that’s right, I said it. Two weeks of practices, six days a week, and whose times range from 3pm-5pm or 6pm-8pm, depending upon the day practice falls on. To add spice to this already stressful time, this year is even more fun, because the snow pushed the length of the game schedule in such a way that the kids now have to play four games a week, and still squeeze a practice in somewhere.
If you are like me, you are asking yourself ‘what about homework?’. Evidently, we as parents, are not supposed to concern ourselves about such minor things. No, we are only supposed to be caught up in the fever that is Varsity/Junior Varsity softball, and fully support our child in this endeavor.
While this sounds great in theory, the practicality falls somewhat short. The coaches don’t have to deal with a zombie-like teenager who can barely drag their ass out of bed in the morning because they are exhausted from doing homework until midnight the night before. Nor do they have to address the aches and pains that accompany this level of physical activity five days a week. And don’t get me started on trying to come up with a meal-plan to accommodate such a schedule (yes, I do the majority of the cooking in my household).
Then there is all of the driving that needs to be done. Take the child to school in the morning. Pick her up, go home for an hour and a half, then take her back. Or, alternatively, pick her up after the game/practice. Not to mention the games themselves…half of which are scattered at fields all over the city. Last year I had to draw the line at going to games at Mt. Spokane, it’s too far out, and the traffic blows, especially during rush-hour. Other than that though, Dad will be there.
Don’t get me wrong, I like watching her play, I do. It’s just that this one, single activity dominates everything else and has to be worked around to the exclusion of everything else. It’s not so bad now, but practices started whilst the snow was still flurrying, and my Mustang stays parked during that timeframe. This leaves us with one car…my wife’s Subaru.
This means that I drive the wife to work, drop the kid at school, then, depending upon the practice schedule have to decide who I will pick up first. The logistics are somewhat tiring, but one does what one has to, I suppose.
Regardless, daddy-Uber duties aside, I’m really hoping that the weather cooperates this year. Conditions were so bad at several games last year that I found myself retreating to my car, just to stay warm. Unfortunately, not every field has parking that allows a good view of the game.
Its funny, I don’t remember my parents having to be this involved when I was playing sports. Is this the new reality? I wonder. Anyway, for the other parents out there experiencing the same issues I am…I feel your pain. And for anyone who doesn’t have kids in sports, count yourself lucky.
