Sports Mama Tip: Top FIVE Essentials For ALL Sports Moms

What do football mamas, soccer mamas, swim mamas, and cheer mamas all have in common?


That's easy! The fact that we LOVE our young athletes and that we spend A TON of time watching them do what they love!


Here are my FIVE Sports Mama must-haves, regardless of the sport your child plays:

1. Smart phone. I use my smart phone to email coaches, text my fellow sports mamas, get driving directions, access our team roster, take photos,  and to take videos. Seriously. What can't you do with a smart phone?
2. Planner. An electronic or a good ol' fashioned paper one will do. All that matters is that it is easily portable. Your athlete is going to have practices and games, usually at different times and different places. Somebody has to know what's going on!
3. Portable seating. Nothing is more uncomfortable than soaking wet (or too hot or too cold) bleachers! Folding chairs and stadium seats are your BFF. You can find folding chairs in all different colors, with cup holders, canopies, and even heated stadium seats!
4. Sports mama bag. Your athlete has their bag, but you need one too! What I carry in mine typically depends on the sport as well as the weather. A few things that I never leave home without are hand sanitizer, water, my mini-first aid kit, and snacks for siblings (because they will be hungry- even if you did just leave home 15 minutes ago!).
5. Sports Mama BFF. This is a must! There will be days that you simply can't get your athlete to the field or court on time. Finding a fellow mama who can help you out of this bind will make your life so much less stressful. Not to mention how nice it is to just sit back, chat and spend time with somebody who gets you.

Honorable mentions:

• DSLR camera (to get those Instagram worthy actions shots)
• Sunglasses (to keep the sun out of your eyes and or hide the fact that waking up early isn't your forte!)
• Folding sports wagon (to carry ALL the things)
• Cooler (to keep your athlete's drink cold- bonus points for packing extras, in case they or a teammate run out!)

I hope you found this list helpful! Do you have an essential that wasn't mentioned above? Please feel free to share it with us in the comment section.


Happy Sports Mama-ing!

Sports Mama Tip: My Go-To Sites & Apps

I rely on several websites and iPhone apps to help me make it through the season, especially when I'm Team Mama. Here are a list of the ones that I just cannot live without:

• TEAMSNAP- This has been my go-to website for managing teams for the past several years. There are paid upgrades, as well as a standard free version. Basically, it's your own personal webpage for your team. With this one site only, I am able to add our roster (including contact info for players, coaches, and parents), our practice and game schedules, track a player's availability, upload videos and photos, create a snack sign-up list, send messages (emails, texts, and IMs), track our win/loss record, and much more. There also have an app that you can download onto your smart phone.
• SIGNUPGENIUS- It's name speaks for itself. It's a free website that allows you to "say goodbye to reply-all emails and paper sign-up sheets". I use it to create all different types of sign-ups including for snacks, team tailgates, and end of season celebrations. It's quick, easy, and effective.
• FACEBOOK- You know what it is, I know what it is. We all know what it is! I like to use the "page" feature to set up a team page. It allows me to share info including photos and videos to help extended family and friends stay up to day with our team. Just remember not to post any information you wouldn't want to potentially be shared with strangers.
• MAPQUEST- Because I simply have no sense of direction. Embarrassing, but true. I use this app to get to just about every game...except for home games, of course. Ha!
• PINTEREST- Pinterest is my favorite site/app ever! Not only for sports related ideas, but for any other possible idea you could think of. Tired of the same old boring post-game snacks? Go to Pinterest! No clue what to give your child's coach at the end of the season? Go to Pinterest! Need some team spirit ideas? Go to Pinterest! I promise you will not be disappointed!
• ETSY- I like to think that I'm a DIYer, but let's face it. Sometimes a sports mama needs a little help! Etsy describes itself as a "world of vintage and handmade goods".  One of my favorite things to use it for is to purchase unique items including coaches gifts and spirit wear.

Have any go-to sites that you simply can't live without? Please feel free to share them below!

*** Update 7/6/18- It's been a little over a year since I originally wrote this blog post, and I have a couple of new go-to sites/apps that I just have to share with your all!

• Tourney Machine- The one stop shop site/app for keeping up with all things AAU Basketball. It allows me to view schedules, standings, brackets, AND results. The results are entered almost instantly, which is perfect for those games that I can't make it to because it's impossible for me to be in two places at once. And best of all, it's free!
• Waze- I know, I know. I'm late to the party. Coach Hubby has raved about Waze for sometime now, but I'm just now getting on board. I still use my MapQuest, but I do really enjoy the "non-directions" portion that they offer (i.e. real-time alerts regarding accidents, road hazards, and of course, police!). So helpful! And again, it's free!

In the words of one of my Sports Mama friends, Beth, "Sports Mamas gotta stick together and share the resources." Are you using and loving any apps that I missed? Comment down below or share them in the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group!

Soccer Mama Survival Tips

Ah, soccer season! Time to soak up the sun and have some FUN! I only have one child playing soccer this Spring, but I have spent more years of my "mom life" as a soccer mama than any other type of sports mama.


Here are some of my favorite, tried and tested tips for making the best of the season:

• Buy an outdoor chair. When you're not jumping up and down cheering, you'll be doing quite a bit of sitting. Be sure to find one that's comfortable and easily transportable. Mine has a built-in cup holder, perfect for my morning cup of Joe! You can go all out if you'd like and find one with a canopy or even one that reclines! Don't be afraid to invest in good quality, I've had mine for years and years now!
• Dress for the weather. You're going to be outside, most likely without a single bit of shade. Be sure you are prepared. If it's cold, layer up. If it's raining, take an umbrella. If it's sunny, grab your favorite pair of shades and some sunscreen. You don't want to be looking like Larry the Lobster the next day!
• Pack a soccer mama bag. Click HERE to read what I'm sure to carry with me to each and every game. You name it, I probably have it in my bag. It's better to be over prepared than under prepared!
• Invest in a good camera lens. If you plan on taking action shots, this is a must. Soccer fields are HUGE. There's just no way your standard 18-55mm lens will get the job done. I purchased mine second hand from Craigslist and I absolutely love it. Not a single scratch in site. Just be sure to do your research first.
• Pack extra water. This is crucial! My boys have been known to run out of water before the end of the game...especially when it's 80+ degrees out. You want to be sure that they stay well hydrated. When it's going to be really hot out, you can freeze the water the night before. We'll sometimes even pack a small cooler to take with us.
• Re-up on your Febreze! Y'all already know that Febreze is my BFF. There is a whole lotta sweating that goes on in soccer. Have you ever smelled post-game shin guards or goalie gloves? Or better yet, your post-game kid?! YUCK! Spray away, mama. Spray away!
• Have fun! One day you'll wake up and no longer have anyone to drive to practice (or games!). So cheer loud, take pictures, share them with friends and family, and most importantly be their number one fan! Win or lose! The world is already full of enough critics.

Good luck this season!




*** Do your kids play other sports? If so, click HERE to read my Football Mama Survival Tips or HERE to read my Basketball Mama Survival Tips.

Soccer, A Football Party, & Playoffs!

Our weekends are always busy. Some more hectic than others. This weekend was no different. Super busy, but super fun! And the weather, the weather was absolutely AMAZING!


No. 3 had a soccer game. And we were ALL able to be there to cheer him on; myself, my hubby, No. 1, and No. 2. This is the first time that has happened all season!

He played extra hard. I'm sure having his papi and brothers there had a little something to with it. He looks up to them all!


We also went bowling for Coach Hubby and No. 2's football team's end of season party. Click here to read all about it.

So much fun!


And last but certainly not least, No. 1 and his teammates had 2 playoff games in 16.5 hours. (The first at 7:30pm on Saturday and the second at 12 noon today). And they won them both!

Confession: I may, or may not have, shed a few happy tears. They are going to the CHAMPIONSHIP, y'all!!!

Happy Sunday!