Hectic summer ball can lead to parents? ?LLSS?
Today marks the final day of the school year for Warren County students. Now kids can give their full attention to playing ball.
Most of the youth baseball and softball programs got under way last week, and now kids are free to roam the ballparks for the next two months.
This year is no different than any other, with hundreds of youngsters involved with baseball and softball all across the county. For six weeks or so life is interrupted and parents have to rearrange their schedules in order to make it to all of their kids? games.
Some are old pros, who have had kids playing ball for several years and they have the weekly routine down to an art. But the new parents have some adjusting to do, and if you have more than one kid playing, then it can be a little overwhelming at times.
Having gone through this with my own two kids, finding time to eat a good supper or spending Saturday mornings working or just laying around the house is, well, pretty much out of the question.
Before my kids started playing ball, my Saturday mornings used to be devoted to sleep. Then my life changed. Yes, it was a good change, and as a parent there is no greater joy than watching your kids have fun playing ball ? the key word there being ?FUN.?
The volunteer hours, hauling your kids back and forth between practice and games, making sure their uniform is washed, and checking the drink list before you rush out the door to make sure it?s not your turn to bring the cooler full of fruit juice or Gatorade is like having a second job. Getting it all to fall into place is nothing short of a miracle.
It?s a tough enough job to keep up with all of this for two parents, but doing all of this as a single parent has to be a very difficult task. But we do it because we love our kids and want them to enjoy all the good things childhood has to offer.
Still, all of the running around and game preparation can lead to what I call ?LLSS? or Little League Stress Syndrome, for parents.
This may answer the question to why some parents take little league games way too seriously.
They work hard all day, then have to go pick up little Johnny or Mary and rush to the ball field, all while making sure the kids have their uniform, socks, hat and glove with them, ready to hit the field.
It?s an exhausting job, especially if you have to stay at the park for more than one game.
It?s never said out loud, but after several games parents find themselves wishing for rain. Hey, I?ve been there. You?ve had a busy or bad day at work and the last thing you want to do is spend the night at the ball field, so what?s the answer? A rain-out.
Each and every one of you has wished at one time or another for a little rain to fall and cancel the game. You?re not a bad person, you just need a little break every now and then.
No matter if you?re a seasoned veteran or a rookie, the stress of being a little league parent is going to get to you sooner or later.
The key, however, is participation. Whether it?s bringing the drinks and snacks, being the team mom or dad, or just getting out there and cheering, relax and enjoy the sights and sounds. Before you know it your kids are going to be all grown, and all you?re left with is memories. Make them good ones.