The Soccer Practice That Almost Didn’t Happen

We signed the boys up for soccer this year as another sport they could play in the spring, after they loved basketball this past winter (and we loved watching them). They had their second practice last night, and things didn’t start out so well.

For their first practice last week, we showed up 10 minutes late with no soccer balls, no cleats, and no shin guards. They were the only kids on the field without all of those necessities and it was one of those “Oh no, we are those parents” moments. But it’s all a learning process! Needless to say, we were more prepared this week.

We got to practice this week 10 minutes early and had everything we needed, because there’s nothing like forgetting everything the week before to make you never want to experience that feeling again. I even remembered to bring snacks and waters for everyone, and PJ brought a mat so we could sit on the grass while they practiced. Everything was great. Well, almost everything.

On the way there, Riah was super quiet and distant, looking out the window the entire time and not saying a word. We kept asking if he was okay and he just kept saying his tummy was hurting. We asked if he was nervous and he said he was, which, if I’m being honest, was hard to hear. Both PJ and I talked about how we used to get so nervous while playing sports growing up, so we knew how he felt. Big time. 

I figured he would be more relaxed once we got there and he saw all the kids on the field playing and having fun, but he wasn’t having it. He started to cry when we told him it was time to go out on the field, and he fell into my lap, wrapping his arms around my neck. I could feel my heart sink. Where was this coming from? Riah had been the one who was looking forward to soccer the most, always kicking the basketball around on the ground pretending it was a soccer ball. He loved soccer, so why was he so nervous?

After we told him he didn’t have to go out on the field and practice, we sat with him for a while before PJ suggested they kick the ball around in the grass behind us for a bit. So he, Anna and Riah began playing a little. And then a little more. And suddenly Riah was running all over the place, laughing and giving it his all and visibly having a good time. No more sick tummy!

PJ asked if he felt like going out on the field with his teammates and Riah enthusiastically told him yes. PJ had done it! He warmed Riah up, got him more relaxed, and showed him how much fun he could have if he just tried it out. So practice resumed and all was well.

Later that night, as I was tucking Riah into bed, I asked him why he thinks he felt nervous before practice. His response was honest and heartfelt.

”I just wanted alone time and everything.”

More than the other two, Riah loves to play and be alone, and quite often, he’s completely fine with doing his own thing. He likes what he likes and, what I love most, he knows what he likes and doesn’t usually stray from it. Maybe he just needed more time to process the day and get ready for practice.

So there you have it. That’s how you save a soccer practice that almost didn’t happen. Another day, another new experience with these sweet babies. It’s a learning process for us all, isn’t it?