For the last week I played the role of a ‘soccer mom’ for my grandchildren as my daughter-in-law was at an educators’ conference for a week and my son had to work 11–7 or 9pm each day. Now that I am home, I can offer some thoughts on this unique experience. I am using the term ‘soccer mom’ to describe a unique role in life, not just a mom whose children play soccer.

First, most ‘soccer moms’ are moms, but some are grandparents, like me, or dads of children. Also ‘soccer moms’ do not just drive children back and forth to soccer games and practices but also to swimming lessons, summer school, baseball, basketball and football games, practices and camps, 4-H and Girl and Boy scout meetings and activities, music and dance lessons and a whole host of other children’s experiences.

A soccer mom keeps track of all the children’s schedules, which can be quite complicated if they have three or four children with each in two or three activities at one time.

A ‘soccer mom’ must motivate the children to do the sports or activities they are scheduled to do. Kids tend to like unscheduled time.

A soccer mom is responsible for the eating schedule of children and needs to balance healthy eating with quick food at uneven times.

Many soccer moms have jobs or other activities they must balance with kids’ schedules, not to mention their spouses’ schedules.

Children that are kept active and busy often seek down time, just to play video games or watch TV. A soccer mom must be aware of this need but keep it in control.

Good soccer moms need help. I was glad when my son was home to give me a break by putting children to bed, getting them up early in the morning or doing household chores.

Soccer moms do not have much time for watching TV, reading the newspaper or keeping up on the news. Their role is very demanding and does not leave much time for news and awareness of the world.

Soccer moms get to know each other at sports games or waiting for their children. They are supportive of each other and share rides for their children when conflicts come up with schedules.

‘Soccer moms’, especially in a rural area, need to drive a lot. A good car that holds a number of children is essential.

Coaches of sports are also taking more and more of time from children. For example, football for 5th graders now starts in late July or early August and many sports games are scheduled for Sunday morning, which is good for many coaches but not for families that want to go to Church together. ‘Soccer moms’ have a duty to keep coaches aware of family considerations.

It is not cheap to be a ‘soccer mom’. Everything — sports, summer school, dance lessons etc. — costs time, money and talent.

‘Soccer moms’ know well the old adage of any good worker: “The better you do your job the more there is to do in the same amount of time.”

I could go on with my reflections. But now I need to go to sleep, since being a ‘soccer mom’, if only for a week, has made me very tired. God bless ‘soccer moms’, but for me I am glad to get back to my regular job of cooking, driving people, education and nonviolent action and, naturally, gardening.

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