Sports Mama Tip: How to Mail Your Collegiate Athlete Homemade Treats!

Two posts in a week?! I'm on a roll! Just wanted to jump on here really quick and share an idea with you all, especially for the mamas with collegiate athletes.

We never stop missing our kiddos; no matter how old they get. And whether they like to admit it or not, they miss home too. They miss us, their siblings, their room, pets, and of course homemade food! Because let's be honest, those dining halls get old. Quick!

I recently started mailing No. 1 baked goods. One of his absolute favorite things I make are rice krispie treats. I use this recipe here. It calls for more butter than the original recipe, as well as vanilla extract. The recipe also has you stir in whole marshmallows at the very end and cautions against packing them down very tightly. They come out ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!

Perfectly sweet, moist, and fluffy. I have to stop myself from digging in the pan one too many times!

So how did I get them from VA to PA, you ask? I mailed them!

Once they were completely cooled, I cut them into squares. I then individually wrapped each square in saran wrap. And finally, I put each individually wrapped treat in a freezer bag.

And added a little handwritten note, of course!

I then headed over to my local post office and mailed them. Two days later and he had homemade rice krispie treats! And I had a happy boy!

According to google, they should stay fresh for up to five days. I advised him to put them in the fridge *if* he still had any on day four. And that was a BIG if.

College kid not a rice krispie treat fan? No worries! Two of my sports mama BFFS were telling me that they've mailed their boys cookies and brownies (one of them mailing all the way to Florida!). No complaints whatsoever!

I posted about them in the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook group and received even more tried and tested ideas:

• protein balls
• muffins
• candied pecans
• oreo truffles
• homemade tortillas
• blondies

I will definitely be trying some many of them! Speaking of the Facebook group, have you joined us yet? 57,000+ real sports mamas, just like yourself!

I hope you found this post helpful. Do you mail your collegiate athlete something not mentioned above? I'd love to hear about it!

Sports Mama Tip: Recruiting Process 101

2.2.22.... February 2, 2022.... One of the best days of my life aka National Signing Day. No. 1 did it, mamas! He signed his National Letter of Intent to continue his academic and football career at the next level. I HAVE A COLLEGIATE ATHLETE!!!

No. 1's been playing the Quarterback position since he was 8 years old. In fact, he was only 12 when I started this blog, crazy! We didn't really begin the recruitment process until his Junior year. He is our oldest and the first collegiate athlete on both sides of the family, so we really had no guidance. If we did, we would have known to begin much sooner.

I don't want you all to make the same mistakes we did, which is why I decided to write this blog post. Now I am by no means claiming to be an expert in this area, however, I did learn a lot along the ride. And thankfully, it all worked out. No. 1 achieved his goal of receiving an athletic scholarship at the Division 1 level!

Here are my 10 tips to help you navigate the recruitment process:

1. GRADES. This is my MOST important tip. Get that GPA as high as you possibly can. One of the first things that a college coach will ask you is what your GPA is. Don't wait until your Junior and Senior year to start. It will be very hard to do at that point. A's and B's, little to no C's! People are often misinformed when they read the NCAA eligibility guidelines. They see that they only need a 2.3 for D1 and a 2.0 for D2. That is the bare minimum to be eligible to play yes, but you still have to be accepted to the college. It doesn't matter how good you are!
2. Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center. Create a free account. There is no need to upgrade to the paid account until you are sure that your athlete will be playing at the Division 1 or 2 level. Be sure that you are on track to meet all of the requirements to be eligible; including GPA, core courses, and test scores.
3. Film. Make sure your athlete has film. This is one of the biggest ways that your athlete will be evaluated. If your high school or club team doesn't record games, you do it. Film is your best marketing tool. You don't need a fancy camera, you can even record on your iPhone. Don't wait until they're on Varsity to start. Your kid is on the Freshman or JV team? Get film! You want to be on coaches radars sooner, rather than later.
4. Social Media. Social media is huge! Almost all of my son's contact with coaches came via Twitter. Have your athlete follow schools they're interested in, as well as the coaches. Make sure your athlete's handle is professional; it should be their name not something like "Flashy Dude 21". List their position, measurements, and GPA in the bio. Have them toot their own horn. Upload your film and share your accomplishments. Get chosen as a team captain? Share it! Earned a scholar athlete award? Share it! Broke a school record? Share it! Share, share, SHARE! 
5. Camps. From our personal experience camps at specific colleges you are interested in are the way to go, not combines. Combines turned out to be more of money grabs. College coaches are rarely at combines. Focus your time and energy where it can potentially pay off.
6. Do NOT pay for a recruiting service. I repeat, DO NOT PAY FOR A RECRUITING SERVICE! It is totally not needed. Google is your best friend, mama. Use it. Google the colleges you are interested in, find the contact info for the coaches (head and position) and send them your film. Film is what will draw them in.
7. Be realistic. Not everyone is a Division 1 athlete, and that is ok. Only 7% of high school athletes go on to a play a sport in college, with less than 2% going on to play at the D1 level. Do not discredit Division 2 and 3 schools, or even JUCOs. Playing in college, at any level, is a huge accomplishment!
8. Respond to all coaches. This ties in with number 7. No. 1 had contact with coaches from all 3 divisions and responded to each and every one of them. You never know where they can end up. My neighbor played Division 1 soccer. She was originally recruited to play Division 2 soccer, however that Coach ended up moving up to Division 1 and took her with him. The athletic world is very small. Don't burn your bridges!
9. Let your kid lead the way. This is their future, not yours. Coaches want to hear from them, not you. The purpose of calls and visits is for the college coach to get to know the athlete better. They want to see/hear how they conduct themselves; their maturity level, their plans for the future, if they will be the right fit for their program. You can definitely help them, just take a backseat. Help them come up with a list of colleges, proofread their emails before sending out, remind them to check and respond to their messages.
10. Enjoy the ride. No one said it would be easy, but they did say it would be worth it. Everyone's ride is different. Some kids have 20+ offers, some have 1. Some have full rides, some have PWOs. Try not to stress too much. The process will be over before you know it and you will be wishing for the time back. I promise.

I hope you found this post helpful! For daily #sportsmomlife inspiration, be sure to join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group and connect with thousands and thousands of REAL Sports Mamas, just like yourself!

You Know You're a Sports Mama When...

Happy Monday, Sports Mamas! I know it's been a long, long time since I've written a blog post for you all, but that's just life sometimes. All three boys are playing basketball this Winter. No. 1 made his high school Varsity team (as the starting point guard!), and both No. 2 and No. 3 are playing rec ball. Coach Hubby is coaching both littles, and I'm still loving living that #sportsmamalife.

Today's post is one that everyone should be able to relate to, regardless of the sport(s) your athlete(s) play! I recently asked the awesome sports mamas in my Facebook Group the following question, and the answers I received were just too good (and true!!) not to share.


You know you're a Sports Mama when...

• You either have dinner at 4:00 or 10:00 at night. - Brandi W.

• It doesn't matter what the weather is because you have everything you need for a 90 degree day to a 10 degree day in your truck! - Maria T.

• Your car buying decision centers around how many players and how much lacrosse gear it will fit. - Kristin V.

• You can't find a water bottle and know to check under the seats in your car. - Julia S.

• You open your GPS app, tap in the search box and your child's practice/training/game facility locations come up. - Sonya J.

• All vacations are centered around AAU Nationals locations! - Joy B.

• Fast food is divided up into categories; Expensive (Arby's Chic-Fil-A, Zaxby's)-can only eat there when it's you and one athlete and Cheap (McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's)-can afford to feed the whole family. - Jennifer J.

• You're waking up at 4am to drive 3 hours to a tournament on a Saturday. - Misty J.

• Your weekly dinner plan is based on practice days, pregame meal days, and game days. - Rebekah C.

• You feel guilty because you have to miss one son play because another one has a game at the same time - Tania C.

• You have to tell your friends who want to get together, "Sorry, it's a cheer night." - Michelle W.

• All your clothes match the kid's team colors. - DeKesha W.

• You find a cup in your purse... not the kind you drink out of!!! - Angela C.

Sound like your life? Then be sure to join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group to connect with hundreds of REAL Sports Mamas, just like yourself!

Sports Mama Tip: How to Clean Baseball Pants

Ah, baseball season... homeruns, sunflower seeds, and dirty pants! (Who decided that white and gray baseball pants were a good idea anyway? I totally blame a dad!)

 

Do these look familiar, Mamas?

 

 

Want to go from that... to this?

 

 

If so, then keep on reading!

 

What you'll need:

 

• Fels-Naptha (can be found at your local Walmart)

• Oxi Clean

 

What you do:

• Wet pants.

• Scrub Fels-Naptha directly onto stains.

• Scrub pants together.
• Fill tub/sink with hot water and a half cup of Oxi Clean. Allow the pants to soak for an hour.

• After an hour, throw the pants in the washer (warm wash/cold rinse) with a capful of Oxi Clean. Then machine dry.
• Voila! So fresh and SO clean!

Seriously, how amazing is that transformation?


I hope you found this post helpful. Play Ball!!!

*** A huge thank you to Lorraine V. for making this post possible by sharing her tips (and pics!). For more tips and tricks and to connect with hundreds of other real Sports Mamas, just like yourself, join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group today!

Sports Mama Tip: Dealing With Muscle Soreness in Youth Athletes

Let me first start off by saying that I am in no way, shape or form, a medical doctor. Big surprise, I know! However, having three boys involved in organized sports, I have nursed my fair share of aches and pains.


From daily practices to weight lifting to the occasional injury sustained during a game, muscle soreness in youth athletes is bound to happen. Here are eight ways that I help my boys ease their pain:

1. Warm up. One of the easiest ways to prevent muscle soreness is by warming them up beforehand. It doesn't matter whether they're playing football, soccer, or basketball. Warming up loosens their joints and tendons, increases the temperature and flexibility of their muscles, thus prepping their bodies for exercise which in turn reduces the chance of injury.
2. Stay hydrated. Proper hydration is crucial for athletes! Hydration not only helps with energy, it also helps to lubricate their joints. Dehydration is a leading cause of muscles cramps. So be sure that your athlete is drinking up pre, during, and post workout!
3. Ice. Ice helps reduce inflammation aka swelling. It also numbs sore tissues which helps with pain. Ice/cold therapy is most effective within the first 48 hours of injury. I am always sure to carry instant ice packs in my Sports Mama bag. In fact, I sent No. 1 to school with one today for his jammed finger!
4. Heat. Heat helps to increase blood flow to their muscles, allowing them to relax. It should not be used on acute/new injuries. My favorite ways to apply heat to my athletes' injuries are with a heating pad or those disposable heat patches. Warm epsom salt baths work great too!
5. Foam roller. They decrease muscle tension and increase blood flow which help ease the pain. No. 1 used his foam roller faithfully during football season. He would even throw it in his backpack to use pre-practice/game!
6. Biofreeze. Biofreeze is a menthol based topical pain relief formula. Menthol stimulates cold receptors that create a cooling sensation on and under the skin, helping to relieve pain. It was recommended to us by our pediatrician who says she prefers it over similar products such as Icy Hot. It comes in spray, gel, cream, roll-on, and patch formulas all of which can easily be thrown in your on-the-go first-aid kit!
7. Ibuprofen. Sometimes they need a little more than ice and a foam roller to ease the pain. When that's the case, I give my boys over-the-counter ibuprofen.  It helps with both pain and swelling. Just be sure to check the label for proper dosing and be sure that they take it with food to avoid a possible upset stomach!
8. Rest. They say time heals all wounds, don't they? Muscles need time to recover. Taking it easy for a couple of days works wonders!

I hope you found this post helpful! As previously mentioned, I'm a Sports Mama not a physician, so please be sure to take your athlete to a professional for any serious injuries.


How do you deal with muscle soreness?

Sports Mama Tip: How to Take The Perfect Team Photo!

Maybe your kid was sick on Picture Day. Maybe he or she closed their eyes. Maybe your Coach thought Picture Day was on Saturday instead of on Sunday. Or maybe your league doesn't even do team pictures to begin with. Things happen. And because they do, I am here writing this blog post!


Here are my tried and tested tips to help you take the perfect team photo:

• Plan ahead. Pick a date and time, and notify your team. I usually schedule ours for practice days, but pre-game can work as well. Just avoid scheduling it post-game... think sweaty faces, dirty uniforms, and possible frowns if they didn't win. It's also a good idea to have a couple of extra jerseys on hand in case someone forgets theirs.

• Location, location, location. Location is everything! It will help to tell your team's story. If you're photographing a football team, take it outside on the field. For basketball teams, take it right on the court. You can even incorporate props such as a ball, helmet, a goal, or bleachers if photographing a high school team.

• Uniformity. There's no I in team! Be sure that everyone is uniformed. And I'm not just talking jerseys. Will the team smile or not? What about hands? Whether you go with hands behind their backs or in their pockets, you'll want to make sure that they are all doing the same thing.

• Strike a pose. Will they sit, stand, kneel? Whatever you decide you want to be sure that the entire team will fit in the shot. You also want to be able to see each individual player's face. If you're going for that traditional pose, you'll want to line the shorter players up in the front, and the taller ones in the back. Want a more modern pose? Check out Pinterest or your favorite pro team for some inspo!

• Keep clickin'. Chances are that at least one player will have their eyes closed or be looking in the opposite direction. I suggest shooting in continuous mode and taking several photos, just in case. The more you take, the greater your chance of getting that perfect shot!

• Have fun! I always like to finish the photo shoot with a "funny face" pic. And so do the players. These honestly always end up being my favorite!

I hope you find these tips helpful! Don't forget to share your photo(s) with the entire team. Your fellow Sports Mamas will be grateful that you did!

*** Click HERE for my youth sports photography basics!

7 Things I Learned In My First Season as a High School Basketball Mom

No. 1's first season of high school basketball has come and gone. SO bittersweet! The team finished 12-3, earning them the best record in the conference. Way to go, Spartans!

Just like with any brand new experience, I learned quite a bit along the way and thought I'd share it with you all today.

1. It's a big time commitment. Between practices and games, high school basketball is a six day a week sport- every single day except for Sunday. The days are long but the season is short. I'm missing it already!
2. Games are early. Well, Freshman and JV games are. In our area, the Freshman play at 4:15pm and JV plays at 5:30pm which can make it tough for parents to get to each and every game. Luckily for me, I leave work at 3:15pm and didn't miss a game. You may want to keep this in mind if you have a rising Freshman!
3. Cash is a must. As with all high school sporting events, you must pay to watch. Games in our area cost $6 for adults and $5 for students (cash only!), children under 5 and senior citizens are the only ones who get in for free. And of course if you give in and visit the ever so tempting concession stand, you'll need cash for that too. Mmmmm, Chick-fil-A sandwiches!
4. No participation rule. Yep, you read correctly. Coach does not have to put your player in if he does not want to. If your athlete is one of the last ones off the bench, tell them to not take it personally. Only 5 players from their team can be on the court at a single time. Be supportive and tell them to keep working. Hard work really does pay off! (Click HERE to read my post about what to say to your child after each and every game).
5. Volunteers. High school basketball depends heavily on parent volunteers. Each of our home games required 5 volunteers; 2 to help with ticket sales and 3 to help run the concession stand (click HERE for my tips on running a successful concession stand plus a list of the 10 best sellers!). Multiply that number times three home games (Freshman, JV, and Varsity) for a total of 15 volunteers needed per game day. It takes a village!
6. Student Section. You know the group of student fans that sit together to cheer on the home team and cheer against the visiting team. They are awesome if you are playing at home, but beware, they can be brutally frustrating if you are away! If your child is going to play high school ball or ball at any higher level for that matter, they're going to need to have thick skin (as are you!)... especially when they're shooting their free throws at away games!
7. Basketball is family! Many of the Freshman players and their families will stay and watch both the JV/Varsity games and vice versa, even if that means being at the gym for five hours. Hello, bleacher butt! We cheer for each and every player on the team. We help give each others kids rides to and from practice. We buy extra hot dogs at the concession stand for our hungry Sports Mama bffs. We're all in this together!

I hope you all have had, or are still having, a fun basketball season!


#BALLISLIFE




*** Like this post? Click HERE to read 7 things I learned in my first two weeks as a high school football mama!

Sports Mama Tip: How to Coordinate Team Snacks

It doesn't matter whether your kid plays football, basketball, or soccer. What is the one thing athletes of every sport like just almost as much as they like winning?!? Snacks, of course!


Coordinating team snack for game days doesn't have to be a chore. Today I'm sharing my top five tips to help you check one more thing of your team mama to-do list!

1. Figure out all logistics. How many players are on the team? How many games are there? Will you do snacks for both halftime and post-game? Will one volunteer bring the drinks and another bring the snacks? Are there any allergies to be aware of?
2. ASK for volunteers. Do not assign. I've been coordinating team snacks for about a decade now, and this is by far my most important tip! You never know what people have going in their lives. Most sports families want to and will help. So let them choose the date that works best for them!
3. Create a sign up. My favorite way to do this is via SignUpGenius. (If your team uses the paid version of TeamSnap, you can create one there as well.) There are tons of themes to choose from, it's easy, and best of all FREE! You simply input the game dates and the number of volunteers needed. Once you send it out to your team, they can sign up to bring snacks on the date of their choice. As volunteers sign up, you will be notified via email.
4. Send reminders. Because life happens. Another reason I absolutely love SignUpGenius! You can choose how many days in advance you'd like them sent (i.e one day, two days), and tada, it'll send the reminders for you! I usually have them sent two days in advance to give people a chance to get to the store.
5. Sign up yourself. I like to get my snack duty out of the way early, so I almost always sign up for the very first game of the season. Lead by example and the rest will follow!

I hope you find these tips helpful! Be sure to join the Confessions of a Sports Mama Facebook Group for more tips and to connect with hundreds of Sports Mamas, just like yourself.






*** Have snack duty coming up soon? Be sure to click HERE for some fun ideas and inspiration!

Sports Mama Tip: 5 Tips For Feeding a Large Sports Team + 10 Team Approved Meal Ideas!

If you're ever looking for me on a Thursday afternoon during football season, I can be found at No. 1's high school helping serve him and his teammates their pre-game meals. That's 42 boys + 4 coaches + 2 managers which = a whole lot of hungry mouths to feed!


Here is what we do to make it run as smoothly as possible:

1. Plan ahead. How many people will you be feeding? Don't forget to include the coaches and managers in your headcount! Will you use a caterer or make it yourself? Are there any allergies or dietary restrictions to consider? If feeding the team before a game, be sure to allow at least 2 hours for proper digestion.
2. Keep it simple. This is not the time to test out a brand new recipe from Bobby Flay. Choose one kid-friendly main dish and plan the rest of your menu around it (i.e starch, fruit/veggie, and dessert). Use disposable plates, cups, and cutlery... ain't nobody got time for washing 752 dishes!
3. Ask for volunteers. The more hands the better! The title of this post is How to Feed a Large Sports Team, remember? You will need help setting up, serving, and cleaning up.
4. Serve it buffet style. This is definitely the easiest way I've found to do it. Set everything up on a long table in the order that it will be plated. When I help feed No. 1's freshman football team, we put the plates at the very beginning of the table, followed by the protein, then the starch, the salad/fruit, dessert, cutlery, and finally the bottled water. Assign a volunteer to each item and let them serve the players as they walk down the line.
5. Stock up on PBJs. You're never going to please everyone, ever. No matter how hard you try! There will be picky eaters, there will be parents who complain, don't sweat it, Mama. Keep an emergency stash of bread, peanut butter, and jelly handy at all times. Don't like what we're serving? No problem. Go make yourself a sandwich!

Here are 10 team approved meal ideas:

1. Pulled bbq chicken sandwiches
2. Tacos
3. Lasagna
4. Hamburgers
5. Chicken Teriyaki
6. Sloppy Joes
7. Chili
8. Spaghetti
9. Hotdogs (Click HERE to learn how to make them in the crockpot!)
10. Pizza (Because what would this list be without it?)

Feeding a team doesn't have to (and shouldn't!) be stressful, Mama. I hope you found this post helpful and that you incorporate some (or all!) of these tips into your next team meal.


Bon appetit!

*** Click HERE to read how I keep food warm without warming trays or Sternos!

Sports Mama Tip: 10 Ways to Keep Siblings Entertained on the Sidelines

"I'm bored!"


"Can we go home now?"


"How much longer until the game is over?"


If you're a mom of multiples, you know just how tough it can be to keep siblings entertained on the sidelines. The struggle is REAL, y'all!


Here are 10 ways to help them stay entertained so you can focus on the action:

1. SNACKS! This may just be my best tip. Throw some of their favorites in your Sports Mama Bag, and they're guaranteed to stay quiet for a while... at least while they're chewing!
2. Books. Bring along a few from their favorite series and let them plop down right next to you and read.
3. Homework. It has to be done, right? Have them bring their backpacks to the field or court and get to work. It'll be one less thing for you all to worry about when you get home!
4. Electronics. A Sports Mamas gotta do what a Sports Mamas gotta do! Let them entertain themselves on a tablet or smart phone. You could even download a book or two for them on your Kindle.
5. Other siblings. Get to know your fellow sports families. Let the kids play together. Some of their best friends (as well as yours!) will be made on the sidelines.
6. Bring a ball (or the equivalent in your sport). For example, if you are at a football field, bring a football. At a basketball court, bring an extra basketball. You can usually always find a little pocket of extra space for them to use.
7. Exercise. At a field? Let them walk/run laps around it. Kids are competitive. Tell them you'll time them and they're sure to want to do it!
8. Game day arts and crafts. Let them help you make banners, decorate cowbells, make spirit finger gloves. Kids love to feel involved!
9. Film. Does your team film games? Siblings can be great at this! Coach Hubby pays our boys $5 a game to film. A little bribery never hurt anybody. Am I right?! Just be sure to teach them the ins and outs (i.e. how to zoom, when to pause, etc.) first. I also recommend getting them a tripod.
10. Run the TD Jar! Little siblings are THE best at running the touchdown jar. Seriously. Who can say no to their cute little faces?! (Not a football mama? No worries. You can easily alter it to fit your sport!).

I hope you found these tips helpful! Feel free to share your tips below or in our Facebook Group!

Sports Mama Tip: Surviving Dinnertime During Football Season

A first-time football mama recently reached out to me via email seeking advice and tips for managing dinnertime during the upcoming season; meal planning, eating somewhat healthy, and avoiding constant trips through the drive thru. As I began to respond, I realized that I hadn't yet written a blog post on this. Whaaat?! So here we are!


For those of you who may not know, football practice is daily (Monday through Friday, 2 hours each day) beginning in late July/early August. That's a whole lot of time spent at the field, and not much time left for being in the kitchen!


Here are my tried and tested tips for making the transition from the football field to the dinner table as seamless as possible:

• Decide on when dinner will be. Before practice or after? If you're a SAHM (stay at home mom) or a WFHM (work from home mom), eating before practice may work for your family. I work outside of the home, and even though I get out at 3pm, it just doesn't work for us. I don't like for my boys to have anything more than a light snack (click here for a list of 15 healthy & energizing snack ideas!) within the hour and a half to two hours before practice begins. I've seen the results of eating McDonalds right before practice with my own two eyes. Yeah, not pretty! So for my family, dinner after practice (although late) works best.
• Meal plan. This is different from actual meal prepping. On Sundays, before grocery shopping, I like to plan out our dinners for the week. I sit down with my planner and write down what we will eat each day. This helps cut down on the "what am I going to make tonight" thoughts that begin to take over my mind every single day at about 2:30pm. It also helps me to change up the rotation a bit more.
• Meal prep. Meal prepping for me during football season consists of making large batches of make ahead meals. I will usually make one on Sunday and another one mid-week. If I'm feeling extra ambitious, I'll make two on Sunday. Some of my favorite make ahead meals are lasagna, spaghetti, rice and beans, and breakfast burritos. All of these are great when served as leftovers and can even be frozen.
• Use that Crockpot. My crockpot is my BFF during football season! With just a few minutes of prep the morning of (or even the night before!), you literally just drop it (in) and go. It can't get any easier than that! You'll come home to the heavenly aroma of a home cooked meal just begging to be served. And thanks to Pinterest, the possibilities of what you can make are endless! Click HERE for two weeks worth of athlete AND Sports Mama approved recipes!
• Keep it simple. I'm not perfect. There are times when I don't take the time to meal plan or prep and have to scramble to put dinner on the table after practice. On those days, I stick to easy 15 minute-ish meals such as tacos, sandwiches, and salads. One of my go-to's for evenings like these is a store bought rotisserie chicken with a side of quick, steamable veggies. You know, the ones you just throw in the microwave. And when all else fails, the boys will have cereal. And guess what Mama, they're A-Okay with that!
• Eat as a team. Coach Hubby and I host team tailgates following the last practice before every home game. Not only does it encourage team bonding, but it also gets dinner out of the way- before the players even leave the field! I've written an entire blog post on how we do it, from set up to meal ideas to clean up, so be sure to check it out. It's a win-win situation!
• Drive-thru/take out. There are going to be days that there will just be no other option. On those days, I try and head towards the healthier fast food joints. My favorites are Chick-fil-A, Panera, Chipotle, and our local Peruvian chicken place.

I hope you found these tips helpful and that they come in handy for you!


What are your tips for surviving dinnertime during football (or any!) season? Let me know in the comment section below!

Sports Mama Tip: What To do With Your Athlete's Used Sporting Equipment?

With three boys involved in year around sports, I sometimes feel like I live in a locker room. And not just because of the smells either! I'm constantly chasing loose balls that come crashing out of my trunk, washing jerseys, and tripping over cleats. I'm sure most of you Sports Mamas can relate!


So what can you do with all of the old equipment piling up in your garage and basement (and other places, I'm sure!)? Here are a few ideas:

• Pass it down to younger siblings. Luckily for me I have three boys who just happen to play the same sports. The older they get, the less likely they are to be able to use it (especially cleats and sneakers!) for more than one season. The bad news is that the bigger their feet get, the bigger my bill gets. The good news is that they aren't busting holes in them anymore, which makes perfect for hand-me-downs. No. 1 passes his on to No. 2 and No. 2 passes his on to No. 3. No siblings? No worries! Cousins, neighbors, and friends work just as well!
• Donate it. One of our favorite things to do with our old equipment (i.e. sneakers, cleats, gloves, balls, shin guards, etc.) is donate it. Many charities will come to your front door step to pick it up! You never even have to leave home. It seriously can't get any easier! You can also check with your local youth club to see if they will accept it. Our local club collects gently used cleats and sneakers. The best part is that they do not sell them. Interested youth can try them on and leave out with their favorite pair for absolutely free! Zero. NADA!
• Sell it. I personally have never sold any of the boys' equipment, but I know several people who do. You can have a yard sale, sell it locally via websites like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, or even sell it on Ebay. There are also sporting good stores that sell both new AND used equipment. It's quite easy. You take your equipment in, they pay you for it, and then they resell it. It's a win-win situation!

I hope you find these tips helpful. Be sure to check back frequently and join the Confessions of a Sports Mama, private Facebook Group for more tips!


What do you do with your athlete's used equipment? Let me know in the comment section below!

Sports Mama Tip: 3 Things to Say to Your Athlete After Each And Every Game

I'll admit it. I'm always happier when my boys' win than when they lose. However, I also know that losing is just as much a part of the game as winning is.


How else would they know how good it feels to win if they never lost?


And while it may seem natural to come down on our kid(s) after a subpar performance and/or loss ("Why didn't you take more shots? Do you want to lose your starting spot? You should've done this instead."), the best thing for us to do is to not treat them much more differently than we would had they won.


Youth sports are suppose to be fun. But if we continually put more emphasis on the bad rather than the good, our young athletes may begin to resent them and see them more as a job than a hobby.


So what should we be saying to our children after their games?


Here are three things to get into the habit of saying to your young athlete after each and every game, regardless of the outcome:

1. Did you try your best?- Just like with any and everything else they put their minds to. No one's saying they have to hit as many three's as Curry, but they should be giving the same full effort he does.
2. Did you have fun?- If they're not enjoying themselves, it may be time to reevaluate things. Youth sports require a lot of time and sacrifice (from both the athletes and us mamas!). Be sure that you're investing in something that brings them joy.
3. I love watching you play!- We wouldn't sign them up season after season if this wasn't the case. Am I right? Be sure they know that a game is just a game and that you are, and always will be, their number one fan... regardless of the score!

As the mother of two teenagers now, one entering into his first season of high school football, I can tell you this for a fact; the days are long but the years are (way too) short.


Enjoy every moment, Mamas!

Sports Mama Tip: Warm Weather Essentials

It feels like we went straight from Winter to Summer here in NoVA! It's like Spring decided to take this year off. One week I needed a blanket and hand warmers, and the very next week I'm dousing myself in sunscreen. #TRUESTORY


With No. 2 playing soccer, No. 3 playing flag football, and No. 1 getting ready for high school football, I'll be spending a whole bunch of time outside on those sidelines.


Here is my list of warm weather essentials to help keep you cool all season long:

• Sunglasses. Keep the sun out of your eyes, and look cute while doing it! It's a win-win situation!
• Hat. I go back and forth between a baseball cap and a fedora. Both do a good job of keeping your head cool as well as keeping the sun out of your face.
• Hair ties. Ponytails are my go-to hairstyle in the heat. And I don't know about you, but I'm famous for going from having 55 hair ties to having 2 overnight. For this reason, I'm always sure to keep a couple extras in my Sports Mama bag.
• Sunscreen. This one is a must! Most fields lack any type of shade. And if you've ever sat on bleachers before, you know exactly just how much sun they attract. Not only will it protect you from sunburn, it also shields harmful UV rays which in turn lowers your risk of skin cancer. No brainer, right? Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, so be sure to check the label before purchasing.
• Water. Self explanatory. Hydration isn't just important for athletes, Mamas. We have to take care of us too!
• Cooler. Filled with ice, of course. To keep both yours and your athlete's drinks cold. Nothing worse than being thirsty and hot and given warm water.
• Stadium cushion/chair. Shorts + Hot bleachers = NO BUENO! Do your legs a favor and come prepared. If you don't have either one, a blanket will work just as well!
• Canopy. Although they can be a bit of a pain to put up, they are totally worth it. They provide lots of shade and lots of room for you and your Sports Mama BFFs to chill (get it??) under.

Honorable mention:

• Misting fan. I don't have one of these (yet!), but I've been eyeing them. If any of you have one, I'd love to know whether or not you recommend them!

Stay cool, mamas!






*** Not warm where you live? I got you, Mama! Click HERE for my list of Cold Weather Essentials. ***

Sports Mama Review: Lightspeed Self-Inflating Stadium Cushion

One thing all of us Sports Mamas have in common, regardless of the sport(s) our young athletes play, is the fact that we spend a lot of time sitting on the sidelines aka bleachers. And it doesn't take very long at all before you realize just how uncomfortable they can be!


Enter Lightspeed; a company with a love of the outdoors and a goal of making the outdoors easy to enjoy. They've created a Self-Inflating Stadium Cushion! Sounds like a Sports Mama dream come true, doesn't it?!

So what exactly is it? It's a plush, portable cushion with a valve attachment allowing it to self (yes, self!)-inflate. The cushion is made with Flexform, a soft, stretchy fabric and weighs less than half a pound. It also comes with an attached carrying bag making it perfect to throw in your Sports Mama Bag!

Does it work? Coach Hubby and I tested them out at No. 1's AAU basketball tournament this past weekend. According to the instructions, to inflate you simply "unroll cushion and open valve". Once the valve was opened, the cushion self-inflated in about 6 seconds! Yep, I counted. No blowing needed whatsoever. (You can, however, blow into the valve should you want to increase the firmness. We personally preferred them as is.)

The cushion itself was soft and definitely way more comfortable than sitting on hard bleachers! The size once inflated (approximately 16 in x 12 in x 2 in) was just right for us both.

To deflate we simply had to reopen the valve and roll the cushion in the direction of the valve. It was super easy and quick to do. And as previously mentioned, it comes with an attached carrying bag making it super simple to transport. In fact, I kept both of them in my sports mama bag and still had room for everything else!

And do I recommend them? I most definitely do! Thanks to Lightspeed, I'm kissing the days of bleacher butt GOODBYE! These cushions even make sitting on the ground comfortable! (We tested them out while sitting in the grass watching No. 2 play soccer.) Besides the obvious comfort factor, I also see them helping protect from both cold and hot surfaces. Ever sat on too cold or too hot bleachers?? Ouch!


The only critique I have is the lack of available colors. They currently only come in four colors; red, blue, green, and black. I'd love for there to be a wider color variety as us Sports Mamas love matching our entire wardrobe and accessories to our athlete's team colors. Am I right?


I don't see myself (or Coach Hubby!) heading to another event with bleachers without it. Click HERE to order yours today!




Side note: WE WON!!!

*** Disclaimer: Lightspeed was kind enough to send me their product, however, all thoughts and opinions are solely my own.***

Sports Mama Tip: How To Survive An AAU Basketball Tournament

AAU season is back in full swing! Which means the tournaments and travel are too. It's not uncommon for us to leave our house at 9am and not return until 9pm that evening, only to be back on the road again before 9am the following morning. #TRUESTORY!


This is my fifth season as an AAU Mama and I've learned a lot along the way. Today I'm sharing my tips for surviving those long days at the court aka tourneys. You're welcome!

• Location, location, location. Be sure to plug the address into your favorite gps app at least a couple of days prior to the tourney. Find out how far it is and how long it will take you to get there- don't forget to factor in traffic! I also like to do to a little research as to what will be around me (i.e. restaurants, Starbucks- Mama needs her caffeine!, gas stations, etc.).
• Pack ALL bags the night before. This includes your player's backpack as well as your Sports Mama bag. Nothing is worse than driving all the way across town and having to find an athletic store because your kid forgot his sneakers. I've said it before and will say it again (and again!), it's better to be over prepared than under prepared. Besides, you'll get to sleep in a few extra minutes this way!
• Pack food. Your player will need to eat, you will need to eat. Sure you can order lunch from the concession stand if you'd like, but packing food allows you to control both the quality of the ingredients as well as your budget! Don't forget about snacks! Many times teams will go out and eat together, which is why researching the area ahead of time is always a good idea.
• Bring seating. You never know what the gym you are playing in will be like. Will there be bleachers, will there not be bleachers? My folding chair is always in the car, just in case. And if there are bleachers, bringing a stadium seat or a sport cushion is best. Ain't nobody got time for bleacher butt!
• Bring cash. And by cash, I mean real cash. Most tournaments charge spectators (yep, even us Mamas) an entry fee. If they offer both a daily and weekend pass, and you plan on being there both days, I suggest going with the weekend pass. They'll usually save you a couple of dollars. The cash can also be used at the ever so tempting concession stand... mmmm, French fries!
• Bring sibling entertainment. If this pertains to you, of course. I'm not even going to lie, I don't always bring No. 2 and No. 3 to the tourneys. For one, they usually have their own sports going on. For two, it's a long day. And quite frankly, it can get expensive. Quick! But when they do go, I try to make sure they have something to stay occupied (i.e. electronics of some sort). Anybody else's kids on a Fortnite kick at the moment? *insert overly exaggerated eye roll* Click HERE for more sibling entertainment tips! 
• Get to know your fellow sports parents. You're going to be spending A LOT of time with them. Find some that share similar interests with you. And chances are you'll need carpool help at least once during the season. It's always great to actually know the person you're sending your kid with, amIright?
• Keep calm and cheer loud! AAU basketball can get pretty competitive. You're going to win some games and you're going to lose some... that's the nature of the game. You'll probably even come across a parent (or two!) who thinks their 14 year old's D1 collegiate scholarship is being handed out that same day. Just take a few deep breaths and remember the real reason you're there; for your child's love of the game. Not for anyone else.

Good luck this season, Basketball Mamas!