Football 101 for Moms!
It has begun again, that time of year when I begin to have a surplus of stinky, sweaty gym and football gear appearing around the house. Yep! Since the tender age of 9, my sweet boy, Beau, has been playing football.
Getting him to practice everyday in August, often in extreme heat, as he prepares for the season is something I’ve gotten used to. I do everything I can to make sure he stays hydrated and eats well. There are some things, however, I can’t do! I’m finding that list gets longer every year. (Shopping for certain protective devices is high on that list now! Especially when I’m told that the first trip to the sporting goods store with his father ended quickly because there were none of these devices, and I quote, “big enough for [him]!”)
As Beau is entering high school this year, things are a little more intense. We no longer have one practice a day, there are two. In addition, he’s beginning to take on the same characteristics of a shark. Sharks swim and eat. That’s it! They don’t do much else. Beau goes to practice and he eats, that’s about it. The rest of the time he’s in a stupor from exhaustion or he’s asleep from exhaustion.
Last night he announced that his sweaty football wear needs washing. Since I determined a number of months ago that getting his laundry cleaned was no longer my job, but his, he started getting ready to wash his stuff. Since a lot of the gear is provided by Godwin rather than by me, I wanted to make sure he takes appropriate care of it.
I gently asked the lad what he had put the washer cycle on. Beau had decided on a medium cycle, cold water wash. I commented that it might get a little more thorough cleaning if it was set on a warm water wash. He replied quickly, “There’s nothing on this stuff but grass strains, dirt and blood, Mom cold will be fine.” My immediate reaction was “Who’s blood, yours??”
It’s one thing when they’re little and you can still manage them physically. It’s a real adjustment when they tower over you at 14 (he’s over six feet tall and still growing) and, instead of picking them up and carrying them on your hip, they can pick you up and carry you across the room!
I figure, my Beau, being of lean build, despite his height, is out there butting heads with a lot of other guys bigger and heavier than he is………………..so who’s blood is it anyhow? They haven’t even starting practicing with full gear yet and he’s already getting bloody??! I have a feeling it’s going to be a tough season………..especially for me!
But don’t get the wrong idea, I’ve learned the roll I’m suppose to play. I don’t act concerned over an injury unless it requires a cast, stitches or a blood transfusion. I’m not an insensitive or irresponsible parent, I’ve just accepted the fact that unless it’s a serious injury you have to overlook it. Having a Mother hover and worry is to really more painful to these tough guys than broken bones. It’s just not cool!
So my advice to other football Moms is simple: if it’s bruised, give them an ice pack, if it’s cut, give them a band-aid. NEVER act particularly concerned, especially if their buddies are around. And, if it requires a trip to the nearest emergency clinic, you are only allowed to ask the doctor how long it will be before he’s back at practice!
Good Luck this season, Godwin, may the Eagles soar!
