It’s Saturday morning and I pull up to the soccer field with one minute to spare. The car door opens and my uniform-clad child hops out, grabs his bag and jogs up to his coach. Our little soccer player certainly looks the part and is ready for his weekly game.
Hold on, let’s back up a bit, shall we? We’ve all lived long enough by now to realize that the uniform wearing child’s arrival “game ready” did not come easy. It’s the end result of a lot of effort – and likely mostly moms! Here’s a look at reality and how the morning actually unfolded. I like to call it the storm before the calm.
Uniform
I would absolutely love to say that I was prepared for our Saturday morning soccer game, but truth be told I’m usually flying by the seat of my pants. When I couldn’t find my son’s jersey in his dresser; I headed straight to the dirty laundry basket. Bingo! Into the dryer for a 15-minute refresh and it’s good as clean. Son dressed and uniform, done!
Breakfast
My first no-brainer of the morning. Cereal is a favorite around here and my kids’ first morning request. Honey Bunches of Oats® fills their bowls and fills their bellies. While the cereal box was out, I also poured some into baggies to serve as snacks to my other children during the game. Kids fed and breakfast, done!
Bag
Found my son’s duffle bag right where I left it after the last game, in the trunk of my car. Shuffled through it and found shin guards, socks, cleats and mouth guard (winning!). Filled up a water bottle and added it to the duffle. Bag, done!
Siblings
Dressed the two-year-old and was pleasantly surprised to find out I coincidently put him in the team’s colors. Changed baby’s diaper and put a bow on her head to prove that she is, in fact, a girl. Wipe down their hands and face and siblings, done!
Myself
Moving to the very bottom of the food chain, it’s time to get myself ready. Instead of my go-to mom hat, I audible to exposing my hair because it’s actually clean (thanks to the shower I got last night before date night). Dressed in yoga pants and athletic wear with high hopes that perhaps I’ll get to exercise later in the day. Quickly freshen up in the bathroom and realize we need to be pulling out of the driveway in 7 minutes to make it on time. I take a quick peek in the mirror to make sure I’m presentable, done!
Drive time
Wrangled children into car seats, coffee in the cup holder, keys in the ignition; we’re ready to go. I glance at the dash and see the dreaded low fuel light on. There’s a slight possibility I could make it to the fields without refueling, but decide it’s not worth the risk. Stop at the gas station and while filling up 2 year old begs for a snack. I momentarily feel like a real genius when I pull out the baggie of Honey Bunches of Oats and he happily digs in (point mom). I head back out on the road and am quickly put back in my place when said snacking child requests water and I realize it’s inaccessible in the trunk (point kid). I attempt to distract him by turning on his favorite Caspar Babypants CD. It doesn’t work. Screaming ensues. We can’t get there fast enough. I take a deep breath. Just one more turn and a glorious sea of green grass is in my sight. We made it! Drive time is over and drop off, done!
Giveaway & Event
Moms, you’re the real winner here and deserve a medal for all of your efforts! It’s not easy getting our children to and from all of their events, let alone completing all of the prep work to do it successfully. Post Consumer Brands see you and are cheering you on. They’ve partnered with us to give two of our readers a “Soccer Parent Survival Cooler” which includes lots of goodies to make your life easier (think insulated cooler, Post cereal favorites, water bottle, mini fan, band-aids, etc.)! Tune in to our Facebook live event next week for a chance to win!
If you are in the Cincinnati area, mark your calendar for an interactive and family-friendly event hosted by Post Consumer Brands on June 28. This free event includes cereal sampling, a soccer Plinko game, limited quantities of temporary tattoos and an opportunity to meet two time MLS Cup Champion Michael Stephens. Head to Kroger in Oakley (4613 Marburg Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45209) from 2-6 pm on June 28. Player appearance is from 2-3 pm.
And if you’re looking for some entertainment at the breakfast table, next time you’re at the grocery, pick up Post’s limited edition collectible Major League Soccer cereal boxes with player cut-outs! You might just buy yourself a couple extra minutes of hot coffee as the fun cereal box occupies your children.
