As a parent of two kids in fall sports, I feel like I've been promoted to full-time shuttle driver! My daughter is on her school’s cross-country team, and my son plays soccer at a local club. For those of you who have kids in this age group, you know how wild the schedule can get. Some days, I’m just zipping around, dropping off and picking up, wondering where my cape is because this is superhero-level multitasking! And let’s not even talk about the awkward in-between time, where you’re too far from home to make it back, but too close to just sit and wait. What do you even do with 30 minutes of downtime?
I’m new to this sport-parenting gig, but I’ve already picked up a few things. The first, and the reason I felt inspired to write, is how incredibly important sports are for kids. Whether it’s a team sport or individual competition, getting kids outside and active is so beneficial. My son’s soccer coach, Coach Todd, sends these epic Friday emails before each weekend game. They’re packed with wisdom not only for the kids but for us parents too. His latest email was all about "paying attention to the little details AND adapting to the demands of the game." It’s all about staying focused, giving your all, and then moving on. He even shared a commencement speech from Roger Federer, which was just the cherry on top. This all works for running a small business too! It’s a life lesson wrapped in soccer cleats!
The second thing I was reminded of? Great joy comes from great sacrifice. I missed my daughter’s first cross-country meet while I was at an REI event in Denver. Before the race, I gave her a pep talk (on our landline, no less!). It was cold and rainy in Vermont—typical fall weather. She wasn’t thrilled, but I told her, “Just go. You’re representing your school, and the experience matters more than how well you run.” She ended up placing 22nd out of 84 girls! She was so pumped! She braved the rain and did her best, proving that kids are often capable of so much more than we give them credit for. There’s never going to be a "perfect" moment—you just have to show up and give it your all.
Lastly, let’s talk about managing schedules and using those weird chunks of waiting time. We have a massive family calendar (if you don’t have one, consider getting one as it’s super helpful!), but the gaps between activities are tricky. Recently, I realized they’re the perfect window for catching up on emails. Whether it’s reconnecting with someone you met at a business summit or sending that overdue note to your mother-in-law, a few quick emails can knock out that to-do list in no time! I also saw some parents exercising while waiting. Another great idea to use that awkward in-between time!
I’m not going to lie—fall is exhausting! But it’s also a blast, and I’m learning so much along the way. If you have any tips on managing the chaos or making the most of waiting time, drop them in the comments! Let’s swap stories and survive this season together!
Claire