I’m Living The Soccer Mom Dream

I’m Living The Soccer Mom Dream

My husband has been playing soccer since he was about 4 years old. He is now 35, and he still plays pickup games from time to time. I played soccer from about age 9 to 27 and haven’t touched a ball since. 

Soccer was a big deal for both of us. We grew up playing recreationally, in high school, and my husband even played in college for a year. 

Needless to say, when we got married and had kids, we hoped they would be interested in the game. Our oldest is 4 and is at the perfect age to start dabbling in sports. She is in a gymnastics class, but her spirit came alive when we put her in soccer this season.

As parents, we want her to learn how to play in a team environment, recreate, and spend some great time outside. As soccer fans, we wanted her to love the game as much as we did. I think both our wishes are coming true.

From the time she put on her pink cleats and grabbed her ladybug soccer ball, our daughter was hooked.

I’m Living The Soccer Mom Dream

It helps that the objective is clear: score a goal. She asked for some small goals for the backyard so she could “practice scoring goals.” Though this is her favorite part, I’ve most enjoyed seeing her encounter challenges and learn how to deal with losing. 

 

I’m Living The Soccer Mom Dream

Whenever she loses the ball in a game, or the other team scores, or she scores, she turns to me on the sideline and gives me a little thumbs up. There is no pouting or over celebration. She even high fives the girls on the other team when they score. Needless to say, my soccer-mom heart is melting. 

Can sports be time consuming? Yes.

Can they sometimes be over-prioritized? Also yes.

But for our daughter, it’s been an incredible gift. She is quickly learning about sportsmanship, giving max effort, giving yourself grace when you mess up and trying hard the next time, kindness and fellowship with teammates, and the most important lesson of just having fun.

While the competitor in me might feel the tug tell her to to hustle or pick up her head or hit the ball with her laces, the mom in me is loving that her daughter is having fun.

I’m Living The Soccer Mom DreamI’m Living The Soccer Mom Dream

 

Jessica Hauerwas
Jessica is a nonprofit leader who loves bopping around Lafayette for the best burgers or bands in town. She is the Executive Director of Downtown Lafayette Unlimited where she runs the day-to-day nonprofit. She and her husband Chris have three littles at home (Jane, Clark, and Louise) where there is lots of giggling and always a cup of coffee brewing. Jessica is passionate about community-building and empowering working mothers. Jessica also volunteers for various organizations, is a member of the Lafayette Re-Entry Coalition, a graduate of Leadership Lafayette, and a survivor of being a mother of three under 4.

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