So.. are you one of those parents that park themselves on the 50 and shout out instructions to your kids while they are in the middle of the game? Or, are you one of those parents who quietly lurk near the corner flag and take it all in? Me… well… I’ve had many years of standing in the rain, blazing sun, and even snow watching my kids tough it out against their opponents. In the early days when the kids swarmed the field like a beehive it was all smiles and positive reinforcement- ‘ Go Muffin Go’ !!! Then later on as they got older and the level of play increased, my sideline coaching has turned into whispered direction with an occasional outburst of praise or disgust. I used to sit by the midline watching the game like a tennis match but that all changed after sitting too close to parents who thought their kid was playing in the World Cup. I’ve heard some true nastiness and have been mortified by some of the parental behavior I’ve witnessed. I now sit midway between the 50 and the corner flag with parents who understand the game and respect the coaches abilities. No, I’m not the perfect sideline parent…I definitely have my moments. Between poor reffing practices (a topic for another discussion), great saves, awkward moments or the thrill of victory, I’ve learned a lot about the game through the years. I’m a seasoned soccer mom and can now sit back in my chair (unless its a nail biter), drink my coffee and enjoy the fact that my kids absolutely love being on the field. And I’m happy enough just to watch. And you?

-Guest blogger, Marcia Griffith

Tags: blog, games, Marcia Griffith, mom, parent, parenting, Soccer, sports