Wear SPF and keep cheering: A Miami soccer parent’s survival guide
Kids’ soccer isn’t just a sport. It’s a lifestyle.
The parents’ job involves waking up at the crack of dawn, driving our little athletes from A to B, setting up our chairs on the sidelines, clapping like crazy, then doing it all over again. Every. Single. Weekend. For. Life. But we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Here’s a survival guide based on an informal straw poll on how the adult cheerleaders stay sane.
We got you. Thanks for the tips, parents.
Get comfortable
Invest in a good chair, one that can fold easily like an umbrella and fit in your hot mess of a trunk. For the love of all that is holy: Shell out a little extra for a chair that has the canopy attached. It’s never not going to rain and the sun will never not sear your skin.
Stay charged
Since you will be nowhere near a wall socket for hours, a portable charger is your BFF.
Don’t burn
Protect your rapidly aging skin with SPF of at least 1000. We prefer ones with a little bug repellent — and concealer. Yassss.
App up
So you were born before 1980 and your technology skills aren’t exactly on point. Have your 10 year old show you how to download apps. You’ll need Waze for oh so crucial directions to fields in the middle of nowhere; TeamSnap to scout the competition; and WhatsApp for ranting to other parents about biased refs (and share heartwarming, inspirational moments).
Know the lingo
If you don’t know such crucial terms as “off sides,” “yellow card” and “corner kick,” then you will be an outcast. Try volleyball. We hear there’s air conditioning.
Look cute
Just kidding. You are going to be outside all day. You will look busted. Find a pair of shades that covers your entire face, a hat and some athleisure so you can look like you plan to do yoga later.
This story was originally published October 23, 2019 at 11:07 AM.
