Happy Thursday Girls!
I have been waiting for today to get here......
We are so excited for Football Season over here!!!
Speaking of football, my Thursday Thoughts today are about my feelings on after game snacks for the kiddos!
Before I even go any further, please know these are just my thoughts and opinions, I don't expect everyone to agree with me!
I have been involved in organized sports for years now, and I love being involved in these things with my children. I have been "team mom" more times than I can even count, I have organized snack schedules, end of season parties, coaches gifts...you name it, I have probably done it! I think back to the early years of my boys playing t-ball, and no doubt the best part of the game for them was the after game snack! Those little boys would sit and pick grass out in the field, and sometimes take their sweet time running the bases, but once snack was busted out, they came running for their cookie and juice box:)
My boys are not so little anymore, and long gone are the days of t-ball, now my kids are at the age where the game, NOT the snack, is the important part! My boys, especially AJ, play competitively and to win! We have been playing travel baseball for YEARS now, and we don't have snack after each game, it is up to the parents to make sure they have whatever it is their child is going to need/want to eat and drink during and after the game! To me this is simple...no brainer!
Last year, as I was team mom once again for AJ's football team it really got me thinking...is all this snack crap necessary? In the years past, I had organized a snack schedule for the team, sent out reminder emails all week, and yet it never failed that the designated snack parent for that week would show up without the snack...and hey I get it...we are all busy parents, snack isn't always at the top of the priority list! So last year I thought to lessen the stress for everyone, I would take up a collection, and I would be sure to bring the snack and drink each week...the parents LOVED that idea! The positive...snack was never forgotten..cold drinks and yummy treats were always there after the games...the negatives's...it's a major PAIN IN THE ASS lugging snack for 30 kids each week, not to mention it's expensive...last year I spent $36 a week on chips and gatorades for the team...that's INSANE! In addition to it being a major pain, you always get that handful of kids complaining about the snack, they don't like it, they want something different, etc....and add in the kids with allergies, it can become a pretty stressful thing! I decided after last year that I was NO longer going to participate in team snack anymore moving forward! I spoke with AJ about it, and he could care less, (thank GOD), he is there to play the game! I know my child, I know what he likes, and it is really so much easier to just throw a snack in your bag for your own child, than worrying about the entire team!
A few weeks ago, I got an email from the team mom, and it was all about snack, and she opened it up with "lets get to the important stuff first...snack"....I laughed a little bit...these boys are 11 and 12 years old...if snack is the most important thing, they should probably not be playing! And it was decided between the team moms this year that in addition to an after game snack, we needed to provide them with a half time snack as well! I nearly fell over in my chair as I was reading it! I had already decided I wasn't participating this year, so I replied back to her email, simply stating that our family would not be participating in the snack sign up, and a snack and drink does not need to be provided for our child, we will make sure he has one if he wants one. Immediately after I hit "send" I thought to myself, should I just have said screw it and signed up for the snack? But after talking with Mark about it, and Harrison (who mind you is one of the coaches for the team), I knew I did the right thing by voicing my opinion, in a very respectful way, regarding snack. The football game start to finish is just barely an hour, these kids are not babies, they can make it that long without having snacks midway and after the game. This is a very competitive sport we are playing, and I can't speak for the all the kids on the team, but I know my son is there for one reason and one reason only...to get out there, play the best he can, and win the game! AJ could care less about a bottle of Gatorade and a bag of chips after the game!
I think it is great to have a little end of season celebration, or maybe a special treat after the last game of the season, but in my opinion I just think it is unnecessary to have snack after each game. As a busy mom, I know for us, it is much easier for me to throw a quick snack and a drink in my bag for AJ after the game, rather than worrying about providing 28 kids with a snack.
I have been involved in organized sports for many many years now, and I have seen it change so much over the years. Some changes for the better and some, in my opinion, not so much for the better. I can remember a time when trophies were only given to the winning teams, not every single kid, on every single team. Now there are times when a score isn't even kept, well because it doesn't matter who won...YES, YES it does matter who wins! And it is so important to let our kids know how to lose, and that losing is OK. We all want to see our kids win, and have a collection of trophies on their dressers, but I want for my children to have truly earned them, not just be given a trophy because he/she participated.
I am sure many may feel differently than I do about this subject, and like always, I always respect everyone's thoughts and opinions, these just happen to be mine!
This year, I decided to not over extend myself and volunteer for everything! It's first year in FOREVER that I am not a team mom...and you know what I am totally fine with that! It doesn't matter to AJ if I am team mom or not, what matters to him is that I am there every week watching him do his thing! It will be so nice this year to just enjoy watching my boy play! As a mom I want to see my children "win" at everything they do, but the reality is you can't win all the time. Win or lose, as long as my kids go out there and give 100% all the time, I am proud. My boys, especially AJ, has had his share of losing on the field, and I am always so proud of him for never being a sore loser.
I am anxious to hear everyone's thoughts on after game snacks! Be sure to check back tomorrow for Friday Favorites!
Totally agree! I've seen so many snacks handed out that are completely unhealthy and negate any exercise the child just did. If parents could take care of their own child and determine if they need a snack or not, it would be so much easier. My kids even get a snack after choir practice at church! How silly is that? It's only 30 minutes and they certainly don't burn any calories to be hungry afterwards. The fellowship is fun but they could also just play on the playground and talk to their friends after church. Kids do not need to grow up rewarded with food after everything they do. Sets up awful habits
ReplyDeleteHi Elizabeth ! I too agree that snack after choir practice is silly. I guess it's more than just snack, the constant rewarding of our kids for doing any little thing is just ridiculous! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment today!
DeleteMy daughter runs middle school cross country and the snacks are important on meet days. Not because that's what the kids are thinking about but that's what can need to refuel after being in school all day with a meet at 5 pm. They shouldn't really eat before running (minus their 11 am lunch) so a healthy snack (there are no chips) is important. While some parents are great at making sure kids would have their own not all parents do that especially when there are so many with shared custody. So a list was organized for water, snack (cereal or granola bars generally) and fruit was set up...each parent quickly responded with the date they'd supply the snack. Easy enough. It sounds like your son is in middle school too so if it's like ours he doesn't come home before the games so it would be super hard for him to keep the snack cold and carry it all day. It's recommended that during the season we pack lunches fr the kids too so that we know what they are getting so it doesn't cause stomach cramps during running.
ReplyDeleteHi Christi! Yes, my son is in middle school, however he is still playing Rex football because they have to be in 7th grade to play for the school. I am in agreement with you about a healthy snack, especially being in school all day. However our boys are playing on a Saturday morning or afternoon, we are only at the field about 90 minutes total. Not all parents provide or bring a healthy snack, so in my opinion it's just not necessary to do this. I do however agree with you that if the kids are at school all day, going directly to sports a snack is absolutely necessary! Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment today!
DeleteChristi, I tend to agree with you. My husband works in college football and they are constantly hydrating the players, feeding them, weighing them. When it's so hot outside, players can quickly loose weight during practice and a game. It's more than a snack. Its a way to refuel. Kim, I agree with you too in that maybe take a snack for your own kid and not worry about anyone else. It is a lot of money.... But I wouldn't care so much bringingm a snack, if care about what the snack is. Junk food isn't hydrating, juice is bad for, don't get me started on red dyes that might be in there. And all the sugar. If you're going to do a snack- make it a protein, a banana. Not crap food.
ReplyDeleteI agree Elaine! I don't have an issue with bringing things that are healthy and things to keep them hydrated, but that's not the case is here. It's truly about that after game great and I just don't think it's necessary !
DeleteOverextend yourself? Lol! Didn't you quit work to be able to do more with your kids? This post is laughable. The fact you've made a list about snacks is hilarious on its own. Then add you're not willing to give a few bucks each week for a silly snack is crazy considering all you seem to do is eat, sleep, drink, repeat. I agree it's not about the snack, but really???? SMH....
ReplyDeleteHello anonymous...yes I did quit my job to be here more for my children. For the past 17 years I would volunteer for pretty much everything that came my way. Class mom, book fair chair, PTO president, team mom, helping out on the classroom, volunteering for lunch duty, so yes there was a time when I was pretty over extended. I never said I wasn't willing to contribute to snack each week, last year when the collection we took ran out and we had 4 more games left play in the season, it was ME who provided the snack and drink for all 31 kids on the team. The point of this post was my opinion that I feel as if it has gotten out of control, we are not talking about hydrating and providing healthy things for the kids, but making sure they have some special treat after a 40 minute game.
DeleteEat sleep drink repeat...not so much, though wouldn't that be nice if that's all life consisted of ;)
Yes, it would be so awesome to be hungover each day. Wow
DeleteHungover...not so much...you just assumed I had meant drink alcohol...that's not what I said at all;).
DeleteWow Anonymous, you must be a very very petty bitter person to attack Kimm personally like this oh and a bully!! What is it to you if she stays at home or works, why is it any of you business how she spends her day? Do you pay her bills?
DeleteWhy should parents be forced to spend money for team snacks. Why can't they have an option to bring their own or contribute to a team fund? Maybe just maybe a lot of other parents feel the same way but didn't want to say anything. How about the families that are struggling and the money the use for their child to play the sport is all they can afford? Why should they have to pay money every week to feed and hydrate all the other children.
My intent is never to have things get nasty, we are all entitled to our opinions, and I hate when people are just mean, and unfortunately some people just really get off on sitting behind their screen spewing hate! I don't expect everyone to agree with everything I do, how I raise my children, live my life, etc..we do what works for our family. My kids are well rounded, happy, good kids, and even if with all the sleeping and going out I do, I still run a pretty efficient household so I think I am doing something right..but there will always be someone out there picking it all apart!
DeleteBased on pretty much all of your posts, how do you expect one to assume otherwise? #becarefulwhatyoublog
DeleteI guess we all see things differently, yes when we have the opportunity to go out and have fun, we do. Yes if I have the chance I'll sleep in late. I can assure you our life isn't one big party over here. We have real struggles and problems just like everyone else. I try and make the most of every day and have fun along the way. Those who know me well, know there is NOTHING more important to me than being a mom, and I have raised some really great kids! I always appreciate people who take the time to comment, even the super horrible people who are just down right mean and hurtful. I am who I am, not everyone is going to like me and that is ok,,,it is mind blowing though that people who feel this way would even care to read here ;)
DeleteI'm in total agreement with you. My kids are in middle school too and I think parents should just provide their own child's snack. As long as my child has a water bottle, she's happy. She doesn't like to snack after a game. Why should I have to provide snacks for everyone else when my child doesn't even care to eat the snack?? Good for you for sticking to your guns and opting out of the snack rotation. I think I will do the same this year. Thanks for giving me the idea that it is okay not to participate.
ReplyDeleteIt really is ok to say no, it took me years to figure that out ;). it's been my experience that the whole snack thing is just stressful. You have to worry about allergies, who likes what, etc...it's just not worth it, in my opinion! Our football teams are big between 30-35 kids, and last year when the snack money ran out with 4 games left play, and the parents didn't want to contribute anymore, I spent between 35-40$ a week to provide the Gatorade and snack to all the boys. I am definitely not cheap, but $160 over four weeks for snack seems a bit ridiculous to me! Thank you for taking the time to read and comment
DeleteMy kids haven't been in ball in a few years, thank goodness! I hated snacks! Not only did most kids expect a Gatorade type drink (I usually brought Capri Suns-Cheap!), but then you have their siblings coming over begging too. So glad I don't have to deal with that anymore :)
ReplyDeleteAs far as the trophies, I always tried my hardest to get the team mom to order the smallest participation trophy. I got tired of donating money for monstrous trophies just because that is what the kids liked. To me it was a meaningless piece of clutter if it wasn't for winning a competition or coming in first for the season. I guess some would say I'm a spoil sport, but all that money added up. I would have rather given it the extra for the coach's gift. Speaking of coach's gift (sorry!) I would get so frustrated with the team mom and other parent's opinions on that. I'm more of a let's collect cash and give the coach a lump sum and he could get what ever he liked. I would always get grief over that too. The other mom's would say "we would rather get him a gift card so he can buy something he wants instead of needs"- I would always reply so what if he used the money for a tank of gas? Maybe that would have been a blessing to him! Grrr, sorry for the long comment- it is all still so fresh even though we've been out of it two seasons!
I agree with everything you said ! It's so important to teach our kids that not everything they do comes with a trophy or reward! There are some things in life that must be earned and there is nothing wrong with teaching our kids that! As for coaches gifts, when I have collected for that in the past, just like teachers gifts it I would either give cash or a visa gift card, this way they can use it for gas, a meal out with their family or whatever the heck they wanted ! As for the snacks, the kids and parents too, expect a Gatorade, long gone are the days of the juice boxes, and hey let's face it, it does add up. For our kids to play football the registration fee is $330, that doesn't include the cleats, the gloves and the other equipment they require, it's insane !!! Thanks so much for taking he time to read and comment.
DeleteAnd I agree that all of the siblings would expect a snack also, and it gets out of hand. It actually has always blown my mind that the parents would expect their children, who didn't participate in the sport, should get the after game snack too! One of the many reasons unjust feeling is out of control and really just needs to stop. On a team of 31 kids, if each has just one sibling, that's another 31 snacks to hand out that week ;)
DeleteSo how does this work? Does each parent come down to the sidelines and call over their little Johnny and hand him his snack at half time and after the game? That's not TOO chaotic or anything. As a team mom "more times than you can count" I can't see how you don't see how disruptive this is. A mid-game and post-game huddle is important to the coach, and having them re-hydrate and eat while reviewing the game just makes sense, so they aren't so distracted by the fact that they are HUNGRY or THIRSTY after playing a sport in pads and helmets in the North Carolina sun. I just don't understand why you've chosen this (of all things) to get so worked up about. Just sign up for your day - since you are minimizing your participation anyway - and move on with your life.
ReplyDeleteHow it works is that the boys have their water bottles and can refill them throughout the game when they need to, never until this year has half time snacks ever come into play and normally during the 8 minute half time they huddle up, talk about the first half, make plans for the second half, drink some water and go back out to play. After the game the team talks as a group for a few minutes then we grab our kids and leave. It's pretty simple and not chaotic. Maybe I am a minoroty on this one, but we play 8 minute quarters, it's not as if they are going hours without something to eat! And as for being a team mom "more times than I can count" we have never done a halftime snack, and with only having 8 minutes I can imagine it would be chaotic for the coach or whoever to hand out a drink and snack to 31 boys, then try and have a team discussion. ;)
DeleteI totally agree. Although it was strange the first year of Pee Wee Girls Softball - after playing tee ball and having snacks after every single game - not to have them, but it was no big deal. The parents took care of their own kids and since Alise suffers with migraines, there were snacks that I didn't want her to have anyway. I make sure she's eaten something before cheering and naturally, she's starving afterwards, but we feed her. Some people need to grow up. And yes, snacks are expensive!! Just buying for one kid's lunch every week is expensive!!
ReplyDeleteHey Laura ! I agree, I mean how difficult is it to just make sure your child is taken care and has what they need. Many people feel I am very wrong on this topic and hey I respect that. I guess what really got to me this year is the emphasis that was being put on snack, I mean 20+ emails about it...it got to the point where snack was becoming more important than our boys getti out there playing football...and well that just pisses me off. Lol. Thanks for reading today! Have a great day girl.
DeleteI understand your point completely, but I think it's a team mentality mindset that you're lacking. I mean if you only have to bring snacks one game for the season, it's not that big of a deal. I'm a team mom as well, and it this scenario, I would never skip over your son and not give him a snack with the rest of the team. I'm sure this will be the same in your case. If so, your son gets his snacks and you didn't do your fair share as a parent. No big deal, but something to think about. Again, I get what you're saying, but is it really that huge if a deal that you have to opt out and blog s out it? Seems very strange & petty to me. In addition, these are your thoughts as a experienced team mom. This could be this poor ladies 1st time. Seems very rude on your part.
ReplyDeleteHi there ! I appreciate your opinions so thanks for taking the time to comment. I'm not trying to be rude I was just voicing my thoughts on something that IN MY OPINION is getting out of control. I always appreciate comments so thank you for taking the time !
DeleteInstead of putting out a venting email like this, it might have been a better idea to ask the team mom the reasoning for adding a mid-game snack. It seems a little extreme to me, but who knows. As far as the after game snack goes, it is completely necessary for kids that age to refuel after running around in the heat for 90 minutes (or even 30 minutes) in football gear... they are sprinting, going all out, and as a nurse and experience in nutrition, they absolutely need a carbohydrate and protein replacement as well as water or gatorade after the game. If each parent takes a week, that's only one week (or less actually) because there aren't 30 weeks of football, right? that you have to pay for. Shouldn't cost any more than buying a snack and gatorade for your child every week. I agree, the snack shouldn't be the focus of the game or be more important than playing itself, but I'm sure the boys don't think it it's the focus at all. but as little kids, they need to hydrate and refuel and they aren't gonna do that on their own. They don't think twice about the snack they just ate, so you don't need to worry about that taking their focus away.. It's probably some of the moms who worry about it... and that's understandable, because as moms, we are always worried about our kids, right?
ReplyDeleteHi Amy! I sent an email, nothing nasty, just giving my thoughts and opinions. If we were providing snacks that were healthy and such I would absolutelybfeelndifferentky, but this is definitely more of a treat...eating a bag of Doritos , in my opinion isn't necessary. It really isn't the money that bothers me, like I said last year the snack money ran out and the parents didn't want to contribute anymore as they felt they had done enough, so for the last 4 games I still made sure the snack was there. I don't have a problem spending $37 to provide snack, however when you get to the game and the parent for snack that week shows up without it and says they totally forgot, it definitely sucks running out to the store picking up the slack. Two years ago, it happened at three games.
DeleteAlso, it's probably one of those things that's just better to sign up for your week and do it, even if you think it's a little ridiculous, because you don't want to be the parent who gives the team mom a hard time. I know that I'd be offended if I was the team mom and I got an email from a parent like that. Also, some kids might not have a parent at every game, and for them, it's probably great to have a snack and drink after the game. Those parents probably have no problem just paying for their week and then not having to worry that their kid won't have something to drink and eat after the game every week. Not saying it's not a parent's responsibility to make sure their kid has a snack, but not everyone has the luxury of staying home and being able to make every game. Sorry for all of the opinions, but I just look at this situation a little differently, and although you keep saying it's your opinion, maybe you will look at other people's points of view.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely always love hearing other people's opinions and views, and I appreciate that you were respectful while stating yours. I would never try and give a team mom a hard time at all, it definitely rubbed me the wrong way though, I admit it, how she was more concerned with rewarding the kids with a treat after each game, and that's what really gets me. And again , this is my opinion, but she further went on to state that we have 5 coaches, and we can't forget them when it comes to bringing the snack each week. Again, my opinion, but I thought it was a bit extreme. And after I sent my email, which was respectful, 5 other parents reached out to me stating hey felt he same way and just thought it's so much easier if everyone just brought something for their own child. When you have 31 boys on a team it's hard to please them all, some have allergies, some don't like certain things, then it snowballs with emails coming in saying "my child doesn't like chips, can something else be provided for kids who don't eat them". It's tough trying to please so many people. I do though very much appreciate you taking the time to not only read, but give your views on the subject in a respectful manner. Thank you so much!!!
DeleteYeah I understand, the coaches thing is pretty ridiculous, and if the snacks are unhealthy, again, I agree. You have a point, it probably is easier to just handle your own kid's snack with allergies and all that. It's interesting, because when I was growing up, there didn't seem to be the issues there are now with the whole snack thing. I don't remember getting anything besides fruit and a juice box. I think back then, in fact, fruit was all that was allowed. so maybe that's a route to go, just fruit and a gatorade, but I guess you have to draw the line at somewhere...I specifically remember getting an orange wedge or a banana after my soccer games... not chips. My kid is only 9 months old, so I haven't experienced today's snacks in sports yet. I am the most competitive person in the world, so I get your point about the snack shouldn't be the most important part of the game. And it's definitely not fair when people forget their week and you end up buying snacks multiple weeks, so the collection thing was a good idea, although then you're having to do it every week and possibly not have enough money at the end. Maybe the team mom should send out a weekly email to remind parents to pack a gatorade/water and a snack for their own child. She seems to have plenty of time to be worrying about snacks, so it shouldn't be difficult to send out a weekly team email with a reminder about the time of the game and to pack a snack for their kid.
DeleteIf snack was about handing out healthy things for the boys, a banana, Orange slices I would absolutely support it and be a part of it, but sadly that's not the case here. This is about a "treat" for them after the game. Thanks again for your comments
DeleteGirl, have I mentioned that I love your honesty?!?
ReplyDeleteAs you can tell by some comments not everyone loves it that much;). Xoxo
DeleteWe were having a similar discussion in a FB group. One mom was FURIOUS that the Science teacher doesn't allow snack. The other teachers do. This is FIFTH grade. They eat lunch at the half-way mark. They don't NEED a snack. I let my kid pack one because his HR teacher isn't the science teacher so he's allowed to have it. Does he eat it every day? No.
ReplyDeleteHey girl! I tend to agree with you. AJ is in 6th grade and they are permitted to bring a snack of they want to. They start school at 915, he has lunch at 1030 and school is out at 415...I throw a snack in there and half the time he doesn't eat it. He can survive even like 6 hours without eating ;) thanks for taking the time to comment today
Delete