If you remember, I wrote a whole post hemming and hawing about organized sports and how I don’t love the idea of them invading our Saturdays and rushing around like crazies and spending hours on end watching kids run around like chi chis with their heads chopped off.
I did.
And then I talked all about how skateboarding worked really well for us because it was a solo sport that didn’t have games or coaches or times you have to be anywhere or special outfits you have to wear or Saturdays.
It’s like God reads my blog and then laughs hysterically.
Every year, our area (called California’s Central Coast…not to be confused with Central California) has a skateboarding competition called the Monster Skate Series.
The premise is simple: each skate park on the Central Coast hosts a competition. Competitions are held every Saturday and kids can compete in as many, or as few as they want. There are 7 parks participating, meaning it’s 7…Saturdays. In a row.
Because of course it is.
Did I mention that these parks, while all “in our area” can be as much as an hour away from our house?
And did I mention that One Way put together a team so now he also has practices once a week?
And did I mention that the girls’ have ballet on Saturday mornings? The same exact Saturday mornings as this competition? At the same exact time as these competitions?
And guess how many weeks of ballet are left?
Seven.
Because yes. Why would there be any other number?
Now obviously Henry doesn’t have to participate. But he asked mooooonnnnths ago if he could, and moooooonnnnnths ago I was too distracted to really think through the commitment. So, I said “Sure honey! Sounds fun!”
I suppose I could backtrack and change my mind, but…sigh…
He REALLY loves that he’s on “the team”. And he REALLY wants to compete at all 7. After all, there are winners of each individual competition…AND they add up all the points from all 7 to crown the OVERALL WINNERS. Clearly missing even 1 Saturday could be catastrophic. Life ending. All skateboard dreams dashed forever.
So it looks like Andy and I will finally be doing that thing I was avoiding like the Plague: one of us will take the girls’ to ballet…the other will go with Henry to his skateboard gig.
I’m so annoyed. And Owen isn’t even doing anything yet. I’m still holding out that he’ll just want to read all day. His hashtag will go from #naughtyporkchop to #literaryporkchop.
It could happen.
And yet.
It makes me so happy to see my boy enjoying something and wanting to compete. The very fact that he wants to have ALL EYES ON HIM and judging his every move while he has the entire park to himself for ONE MINUTE…is so very out of his personality, I feel like we should probably go with this. Even if I won’t be there every week to actually watch. (Andy and I will take turns going with him.)
So there you have it.
The next two months will be a hectic, rushing around, get out the door, do you have your water bottle, where’s your helmet, see you later this afternoon, good luck, I love you kind of months.
Be prepared for an onslaught of skateboarding nonsense on Instagram. You have been warned.
Related: how is this my life?
Also related: stop laughing.
Also related: I fully see the irony of my life.
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I think this is so common with parenting. We have our parenting values and ideals, but sometimes compromise is unavoidable. I could list many comparable examples from my own parenting journey.
You are a wonderful momma!!!
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#literaryporkchop … I die.
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And the schedule for this skateboarding gig is…..
It’s all here: http://www.ccmonsterskate.com/2.html
I have been putting off extra-curriculars for as long as possible as well. We finally let Tucker join soccer. It’s one practice a week and one game on Saturday morning. We are tip-toeing into it all I figure. My girly-girl is dying to do ballet as well. But she’s also my most strong-headed, so we’ve negotiated with her that once she stops being so stubborn with us, ballet will be her reward ::this could take forever thankfully::
I love the part you put about God must read your blog. I totally think it’s true. The minute I even think one thing, God has thought his own. Life is funny. Good luck, momma!
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‘It makes me so happy to see my boy enjoying something and wanting to compete. The very fact that he wants to have ALL EYES ON HIM and judging his every move while he has the entire park to himself for ONE MINUTE…is so very out of his personality, I feel like we should probably go with this.’
You have perfectly identified why we allow extracurricular activities to infringe on our calm, well-planned family routine. Extracurriculars – whether team sports, music, art class, individual sport, or other – represent the child’s chosen passion (even if it is short term) and encourage our child to take risks and experience aspects of life in a way we never imagined. And, as a parent, having the opportunity to WATCH your child do this, instead of CREATING it FOR your child, is thrilling.
Good for you and Henry!
I think it is awesome that you are letting him participate! I read your earlier post, and agree with everything you said about cherishing your family time. As a former high school and college athlete (and a mom of budding athletes) I can say that some of the best memories that I have from my childhood and teenage years involve various members of my family being involved in those activities with me. I remember crazy aunts making signs, brothers and grandpas getting told by referees to “simmer down”, bleacher picnics, team caravans, and when I got older EVERYONE squeezing into hotels rooms at tournaments. Rest assured mamma that your little guy will not only get the awesome physical and emotional benefits that come with participating in sports, but as he grows he will have some pretty fantastic FAMILY memories as well!