Confessions of a Soccer Mom

This year, my eight-year-old decided he wanted to play soccer. (Because he'd read about a boy on a soccer team in a book--but that's another story.) 
Did I know anything about soccer? Mostly just that it was played with a ball on a field and you weren't supposed to use your hands. That was it. But we signed him up for a youth league and figured we'd all learn together.
So, while my son was running around the field, learning to kick better and maybe even a bit about teamwork, I learned a few things too. Soccer mom was never a title I expected to have, but it was a lot more fun than I expected.

So, I might not look like a typical soccer mom, but then again, maybe I do.
The very first game, it was so comfortable outside, we all went in short sleeves and then regretted a few things when we ended up sitting in the direct sunlight for an hour. Lesson learned. I now have a great soccer mom tan. Sunscreen, even when the temps are comfortable outside. The sun is still hot.
Next lesson I learned: a hat is a nice thing to have. No matter which side of the field we sat on, it seemed like the sun was right in my eyes, making it hard to see my player ... or any of the others.
We soon left our folding chairs in the back of the car. We'd just need them again the next week. Because it's no fun to sit on the wet grass for an hour. Or the itchy grass in the evenings for practice, either.
Giving up our regular schedule a couple days a week was maybe the hardest part. He had two practices in the evenings and it was right in the middle of supper time. So, our supper got moved over an hour later than normal. And he still needed a bath before bed. We learned to rearrange our regular routine to make sure it all happened and he still got to bed on time.
The season was eight weeks long, just enough to start grasping a few terms and reasons for why the refs would blow their whistles. But I still don't understand it all. And you know what? It's okay. My son's team lost every single game. And you know what? He's still wanting to play again next fall. Because even though they weren't a great team, they all grew together and had fun. Which is what it's supposed to be about.
Am I expecting great soccer scholarships in our future? Probably not. But I'm fine with him signing up for soccer again next fall. Even if it takes away eight Saturdays and my regular evening schedule.
So am I typical soccer mom? I have no idea. But I am a soccer mom, for better or worse.
​Did your kids play a sport you didn't really understand? Did you learn any fun lessons from it?