And as I tend to feel like a single mother of 2 during football season, but I wouldn't change it for the world. I work 7:30 till 4, T and Trist leave for practice around 4:30, they get home before 8 and T goes to work at 8:15 until I'm fast asleep (usually). So during the week we see each other for maybe 20 minutes a day. And in those 20 minutes we are talking about who made lunches, is homework done, how was school, ect. So we get to the weekend/game day and it isn't full of family time, it goes like this. I'm the nervous Mom that walks around the house asking 100 questions, Are you feeling ok? Are you ready for today? Did you eat? Can I do anything? Does the other team have giant players? Whats their record? ect... While I am asking, T and Tristen couldn't be more opposite. They are quiet, the pace, they keep their nerves inside and just wait to be on that field. They do their best to put up with me, the nervous talker, but I know they are both secretly getting all the gear together FAST so they can get the hell outta the house and on to the field. I'm ok with it, I get it. Venus and Mars thing going on and whatever, we make it work.
I feel like we as a family sacrifice allot for football season and I know Thomas was made to be a coach. He is LOUD, he is passionate, he wants ALL of the kids to know they are all important. One team one play is the motto, he has fun and wants them to have fun and does this all for the love of the game and these kids. He teaches them respect and gives them confidence and not just our son. In fact all of the coaches that I have watched this season put every ounce of energy into these kids. We have coaches on the team that don't even have kids on the team or even live in Clawson. We have a coach that is raising his 3 kids and coaching as his wife is overseas in the military. They do this for the love of the game and to be apart of this family.
Ohh and did I mention that this is all volunteer?! No one is paid, they rearrange their schedule and lives for 4 months to be apart of this FOR FREE.
So as a mom and wife its a little different for me. I get to hear all the sh*t talk in the stands (and facebook) and sometimes it isn't easy for me to deal with. Of course I'm defensive, of course I want to jump to defend the coaches and kids because I see all the time and work that it takes to get to the point of watching on game day. The coaches send out emails and talk to these kids everyday about playing safe, having fun and also telling them (and parents) if you feel like there is something wrong or feel like they are not getting enough playing time or if they want to try a new position, SAY SOMETHING. None of these coaches want any of these kids to feel that way. Yes Thomas has a son that plays on his team but on that field they are all his kids, they all care about each one of them, not just their own. And I bet if you ask these kids they will say the same thing, they are all 1 family. If Tristen ever came home from practice or a game and was upset because of playing time or the way he is treated, I would be the first one at practice the next day asking questions and trying to solve the problem. I would do this with any sport, on any team. Here is an example, I asked Thomas if Tristen was good enough to play 1st string defense or offense, he said "Yeah probably but he isn't hitting as hard as 1st string and he is going up against 1st string players on the other team, too risky don't wanna get him killed." Good enough answer for me! Makes sense and who wouldn't agree when its about your kids NOT getting hurt. So the coaches DO have the kids best interest in mind and doesn't want injury's, what a concept!
So before you throw any negative comments out on game day or post crap bashing the team or the coaches, ask yourself, are you doing that for attention and intentionally trying to make the whole organized program look bad because you don't have the balls to walk up to someone after a practice and simply ask if there is a reason or are you really wanting to solve the issue you have? Because to all of the people that are putting all their blood sweat and tears in these 4 months, you look like "that guy (or girl)" that just wants to complain, maybe next year you should volunteer your time if you believe you could do better. Stand up for your kid, talk to the coaches that spend as much time with your kid as you do, all of the coaches promote communication and want input. I promise there is a reason and it isn't because there are favorites or your kid isn't liked. Sometimes it is done for their own protection. Call me crazy but I would rather have my kid protected until he is ready then thrown out there with kids that can smear him up and down the field.
My kid goes to school and practice everyday and even tries to pretend not to be sick so he wont miss a practice. I know the feeling of watching your child go through hell so that he doesn't feel like he is going to disappoint his team or coaches. Ya know what that got him? Bronchitis. So I put my Mom hat on and stand firm and tell him that LIFE HAPPENS, sometimes it does suck, sometimes you get sick and have to sit out. But that's my job to try to make him understand that you take the good with the bad and ya just gotta keep on keepin on. I wont be that mom that yells about it on game day not being fair that he isn't in every play or come home and post it on facebook that he isn't being treated right and wish he played for a different city. I will be the mom that stands up for him, fights for him, protects him and be his biggest fan in the stands.
Thank you to all the coaches that help my son become a young man, thank you for teaching him that hard work pays off and thank you for sometimes having to put up with the politics of being a coach. Most people would rather sit on the sidelines and form opinions instead of putting the time and patience it takes to be a coach.
Most of the time these coaches get burnt out because of the parents and rarely have anything to do with the kids. Don't let the few complainers represent all of us because most of us are proud to have you on our side as you help us teach our boys (or girls) become young men (or woman). So thank you, your hard work does not go unnoticed.
I remember walking down Buckingham with him holding hands when he looked at me and I knew this time its gonna work and now I am ready to commit the rest of my life to him. 
who isn't a baby anymore!
