Every mum in the audience has a story to tell every time their children are competing in sports events. To clarify, there are dads and guardians too in the audience who support the kids out there. However, my intention in this blog is to focus on the mum.
It is a roller-coaster of emotions. Festive! Depressing! Frustrated! Terrified! Bored… sometimes all rolled into one. Every time the child goes out there, the mother’s heart sometimes skips a beat. Is it a championship game? Is it a qualifying round? Testing the stamina? Is it their first time playing the game?
No wonder the mum is exhausted after each sports event. In the midst of an excited audience is an unsung hero called mum.
Let us list the ways…
- The very early bird
My sons are doing karate in the evenings so I do not have to wake up very early in the morning. I listened to stories of mums who wake up as early as 3 or 4:30 am just to prepare for the early drive to the sports venue. It takes commitment to do that. It takes persistence to continue.
- The free Uber-mum driver:
The mother will have to wake up early so she can avoid traffic and have enough time to look for a parking space and drop off the kids safely. Whew.. This is easier said than done. Don’t get me started if the GPS didn’t work or the family got lost somewhere… This is a process of testing your grit.
- The diverse sports spectator:
Every mum is different especially as a spectator. Some mums sit quietly and observe what is happening. On the other hand, others mumble to themselves or to their seatmate especially if the referee made a decision contrary to her opinion.
In addition, some cheer to inspire their children while others scream strong language that I cannot write. Put all these together and we have an audience that adds character to the scene. Sitting in the midst of an emotional audience is a learning experience itself.
Meanwhile, you can feel the vibe when the event is so intense! Your kid is out there and you are witnessing history in the making! Certainly, there is a sigh of relief when the event is over. As if you have hiked the tallest mountain or ran a marathon. It doesn’t end there. After that, the kid will either approach you with triumph or defeat. This is where the mum will dig up from her reservoir of wisdom from the ages. The supportive mode will kick in.
The master supporter:
It is a wonderful thing if the team of your child won. However, there are times that the team loses. If it is an individual effort, the feeling is worse for the child. If the child is young and does not yet know how to manage his/her emotions, it will take the patience of a saint for the mother to pull this through. The child will cry, whine, complain or even throw a tantrum and ask why why why? It is not fair!
Some strategies that may work for some children but not all can be:
hugging the child to calm him/her down
listen more and let the child talk so there will be emotional release
explain the situation that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose
how to better cope next time.
This is a trial and error case to case basis. If you have other children, the strategy that works for one may not work for the other. It makes the mother creative in thinking about what will she say at this moment. How can I make my child understand this? As time passes by, you get better at it through experience.
- The wellness expert:
Injury is inevitable, especially in contact sports. Emotions run high and sometimes it gets physical. Worse, the ambulance is on the scene. As the mum in the audience, it is heartbreaking to see your child injured.
Quick question: Who is most often called when the kid is hurt?
Answer: Mum!
As a result, the mother has to adjust her schedule to take care of her child so the recovery is quicker. Here comes the mother who loves and nurtures to save the day!
- The savvy shopper:
Options: Second-hand or brand new sports gear? The mother is usually the company of the excited child who wants to enrol in an interesting sport of his/her choice. Unfortunately, sometimes the gear is not available and the stock is conveniently available in the store of the far far-away suburb. Luckily, there is online purchase nowadays and just a click and it will be delivered to you with the price you are willing to pay. Decisions, decisions. It takes discernment to get the best purchase.
The priority manager:
Time is of the essence. It will not come back. Some mums make the decision not to miss out on the important sporting event of their child no matter what. Work will have to wait and be there 100% to support their child. I understand that some need to answer some calls or text messages. I feel the intention of the mothers in showing their love. By making time to be there and watch the most epic sports event coming from the perspective of the child is proof. Juggling work and family is a tough task. It takes true love to do it.
- The records specialist:
Providing birth certificates, health records and answering and submitting on time all the forms known to man ( to qualify) takes diligence. An organized mother is an expert on this. It is a sight for sore eyes to see an organized file whether on paper or digital all documents in the right file folder.
- The nurturing nutritionist:
” I am hungry.” is the classic all-time statement of the child after a sports game, especially for big boys. Fruits, crackers, bread and lots of water must be at hand always so that the journey home will not be full of dramas. My boys love rice. They will eat bread, potatoes and pasta but rice is their favorite. After every karate training, they will always ask me “What’s for dinner?” If what I have cooked is their choice, they will be so excited to go home and eat to their heart’s content. We have a 5-cup rice cooker and in a few years time, this will not be enough.
- The social media announcer:
It was a triumphant win! What a victory! What a moment! Here is the mum in the audience who captured it all using her smartphone and she couldn’t contain herself! What a great day to let her family and friends know about the epic moment. Post it on Facebook, Instagram and other social media platforms. It is a photo or a video that will be saved and watched over and over.The family will look at it with laughter and joy.
Likewise, during serious moments, it takes presence of mind to get a smartphone and take your mind off the clouds and document what is happening. They are treasures in the mother’s heart.
To sum up, whatever is happening out there, we as mums, are creating a significant difference in our family’s lives. We can do so much and do not dismiss that. When life happens, be gentle with yourself. It is sometimes overwhelming. You are amazing. Put your hand on your heart and say as a mum ” I am doing an extraordinary job.”
To more sports events that we can witness and more memories to share! Cheers Mum!
