What Every Sports Parent Should Have In The Back Of Their Car

I recently was at a soccer game in the middle of a tobacco field when I was in need of a bathroom.  If you are not from North Carolina, you might think it is odd to have a soccer game in the middle of a tobacco field.  Actually, if you are from North Carolina, you might think it is odd!  Yes, it is quite an experience to get a whiff of tobacco (I felt like I should be in a barn)  while watching your child play.  Of course when you are playing out in the middle of no where, you are excited when you see a porta-pottie in the distance.   One has to be in a personal crisis to enter one, but desperate times call for desperate measures.   Upon leaving the porta-pottie, I suddenly realized I did not have hand sanitizer in my game day travel bag.  Yuck!  

So here is my updated list of things that every parent need to have in the back of their car for game day.  I have scoured the internet and consulted with my mom friends to make an inclusive list. No matter what the sport we all should be prepared.  This list does not include the sports uniform or equipment that your child needs to have in his/her sports bag.  It is a list of items you can leave in your car to be used during the season as needed.  Or in some cases, all year long.

Feel free to comment and I will add items if we need.www.kimewilliamslcsw.com 

*Blanket and Towel- can be used to sit on during a game; wrap in when it is freezing outside; lay down in the car to protect interiors when your player is covered in mud; and stinky, wet uniforms can be wrapped in and separated from other items.

* Umbrella- can be used rain or shine.

* Folding chairs/seat cushions- can be used if the field does not have bleachers, or if you want to be comfy during the game.     

* Bottles of water- kids need to stay hydrated when playing any sport.  I keep a few bottles in my tote bag in case of emergency (forgetting water or running out).  

* Health snack- crackers or other snacks that can be stored in the back of the car are helpful to have on hand.  When kids are little most coaches have parents bring a half-time and after game snack.  This does change when children get older and it is a good thing to have snacks on hand.  Kids are starving once they end play and sometimes cannot even make it a mile down the road without needing some fuel.  

* Sun screen and bug spray

*First aid kit- band aids, Neosporin; Tylenol/Advil; ChapStick; hydrocortisone cream; Benadryl; tape; gauze; instant ice pack (for bruises or aches and pains)

* Hand sanitizer, wet wipes, tissues-  good for boys who immediately grab something to eat after pulling their hands out of disgusting hockey or goalie gloves!

* Lysol spray- for the smelly cleats, pads, gloves, etc. which will smell up you entire car. 

* Mom supplies- extra hair ties, sun glasses, lip balm

* Trash bags and Ziploc bags

* Sharpie Marker

* Deodorant, Shampoo, Body Wash

Welcome to Rocks and Smelly Socks

This week while driving my son from a school soccer game straight to a club soccer practice, I started laughing out loud as I was struck by how funny and busy life is with a child in middle school. Here I was driving down the road with my middle school boy literally changing his clothes in the front seat. As he was changing from one soccer uniform to another, the most repugnant odor of smelly soccer socks permeated through the car.  My stomach did a flip flop and my head began to ache as the smell almost knocked me out.  I tried to discretely roll down the window as to not hurt his feelings.  My attempt was not successful.  I have thought often thought of writing a blog about parenting boys on and off throughout the years, but never seem to get around to it.  I have thought about how hysterical life is with boys in the house and how there has not been a dull moment since my oldest entered my life twelve years ago.  I think that a blog would be helpful to write for my own personal sanity and to maybe help others as they parent their boys.  I know that we at least will get a good laugh.  I know that raising girls is equally as difficult, but I do not have any.  If I did, I would blog about them!

P.S.
Feel free to comment and give tips along the way.  Looking forward to a new blogging adventure!