How hot WAS it?
The temperature gauge in our van hit 101 degrees, yesterday afternoon - that's Africa HOT! - when I picked up the kids from school, yesterday. In Jersey? Well, it's just way too hot for June. So, our schools closed, early.
Aaaand it was only two weeks ago when I blogged about the importance of practicing our Kegels and having nearly froze my butt cheeks to the bleachers during The Boy's travel soccer try-outs.
[phone rings]
My husband, Garth (not his real name) and I were hiding upstairs in our bedroom - relax, it's air-conditioned and the kids found us anyway - when we got the call that my son didn't make it.
[bites lower lip to keep from crying]
"What...oh, MAN that just totally sucks...are you kidding me!?!?"
No, I wasn't happy (at all) and it kills me to think that we haven't even told him, yet.
Yeah, I totally AM a soccer mom (but, I'm okay) and a self-confessed DORK with perhaps even a little bit of helicopter parent tendencies sprinkled in, for good measure.
Still.
It makes me very sad to think that my kids ARE getting used to dealing with disappointment, everyday.
I mean...really...take a good look through my archives and you'll see...after all, I am their Muh-thuh!
Now that I've finally admitted it (out loud) I also can't help but wonder, HUH? All those years my husband and I spent insisting that, you know, it doesn't matter whether our kids win (or, lose) it's that they even tried, or did their best, in the first place, that really, really counts in life.
What if that's NOT good enough, either?
"I'm sorry son, you didn't make the team."
[sigh]
"I'm sorry, this WAS your first time trying out, maybe next year?"
[heavy sigh]
"Maybe some of your friends will be in recreational soccer, too!"
UGH.
Nope, no matter how many times we practiced saying it (out loud) my husband and I just couldn't bring ourselves to tell The Boy, or send him off to bed knowing he didn't make the travel soccer team(s), last night.
Oh, he'll get over it alright - trust me, I know - me, not so much.
I mean, he was SO excited. Some of his best friends play travel. But, quite a few of the other kids have played together for a long time - not to mention, are always picked to be on the same team(s) in every sport imaginable - since like, kindergarten (I think) and gosh, but they were really, really good.
The Boy?
Well, to be honest (and you know, I WILL!) he's way too polite with the ball.
"Take it...run with it...IT'S ALL YOURS, BABY!"
Yeah, the other moms were just as surprised to hear me holler that (really loud) and I'm starting to believe what a very good friend of mine once told me:
"There are NO friends on the soccer field!"
Still.
I think I'll wait to tell him, some more. Why? Because, last night - when I finally DID get to sleep - I dreamed that my son was playing for the New York Giants.
"The Boy - you just won the Super Bowl - what are you going to do, now?"
[wipes sweat off of face and shrugs]
"I dunno, since we STILL can't afford to go to Disney."
Oh, well and...oh, by the way...Mr. Super Soccer Coach, don't worry about having called us about The Boy "not making it" so late, Dude - no, really - we're used to losing sleep.
Stupid soccer!
What - your kid didn't make it, either - don't worry, you can always join our "Cursing for a Cure" campaign and let it all hang out for a good cause, yes?
© 2008 This Full House - All Rights Reserved.
Sorry to hear he didn't make the team. =( Crossing fingers for next year!
I hear ya - sometimes it IS harder for us parents than it is for our kids. Although they do have to learn to take the "bad" with the "good", it's natural for us to HATE for them to have to go through that "bad".
Posted by: SherE1 | June 11, 2008 at 01:06 PM
I'm sorry :(
But, you know what? Those travel kids have to give up an awful lot during the season.
Maybe there are some things he'll get to do while he plays rec that he couldn't if he played travel?
Posted by: Busy Mom | June 11, 2008 at 10:58 PM
I'm so sorry!
We've gone through that with basketball the last two years, but she made a completely different team that ended up being a way better fit for her.
Yes, they do give up a lot for the travel leagues, in any sport! Chin up!
Posted by: Cindy | June 11, 2008 at 11:23 PM
You know, I'm secretly breathing a HUGE sigh of relief that we won't have to run our asses off, anymore than we already do, right now.
I still haven't told him.
Most of his friends will be playing travel, but I'm hoping to find a few more that are doing rec, too.
I should be happy he's not interested in playing football...yet - I hear that they are totally militant about practice, everyday, starting Aug. 1st. Yikes! Totally eating into some serious Mojito time ;o)
Posted by: Liz | June 12, 2008 at 10:05 AM