The Balance of Family Time While Being a Travel Ball Mom

                                   

It’s hard enough getting the family together for a simple meal, but when you incorporate the grueling schedule of travel baseball, it can be even more challenging for families to do anything with each other. Most of the time, the positives of sports outweigh the negatives. Children can learn independence, teamwork, exercising regularly, and they aren’t sitting inside in front of video games on the weekends. On the flip side, though, the toll it takes on the family can be difficult to overcome. It’s even worse when you have more than one child on a travel team. It’s also nearly impossible to see each other throughout the week, and weekends are just coming and going from games, competitions, and other sports festivities.

Sports Come and Go

Even though the grind can be rough, there are ways to get through it all, and make it out on top. Of course, family is important, but it’s good to remember that every sport has a season. The time will come when you’re not lugging your children and their monstrous bags of sports equipment around to practices and games, and then you might actually miss travel sports. Family time can happen at any time, even if you’re on the go. Take the time when you are traveling with your children and spouse and create lasting memories. Whether that be with road games, telling stories, or sharing jokes. The trips to and from games can be just as memorable as the game itself.

Take A Break and Play a Different Game

If it’s too hectic to work on family time during trips, or if you’re taking trips separately to attend different sporting events with multiple children, then it may be time to schedule family time. I know, it sounds odd, having to mark family time on the calendar. Find one night a week, or one night every couple of weeks and have a family board game night. This was always an enjoyable time for my family growing up, and I guarantee it will be a hit with yours. There are so many fun, new and interesting games out there today, the games aren’t boring and lackluster like they used to be.

Have Fun While They’re Still Young

Children have a deep desire to play, and we should always make sure that that need is getting filled. Remember, they are only young once. Travel baseball can be included in family time, especially if the whole family enjoys watching sports together. Make traveling and the playing an enjoyable experience for everyone in your family, that way, the trips, and the hours spent on the field don’t feel like work for the young people in your life.

Bring games and even pack a picnic or snacks to enjoy while your child plays on the field, that way if you have other children, they will be entertained as well. Bring a ball and let them play in a place where they won’t be in the way of the action. Not only does this make the other children feel included, but your star player can enjoy the snacks and games while having breaks from his or her baseball game.

Socialize with Different People

Get to know the moms, dads, grandparents, and even the players on the teams that you will be traveling with. This way, you all will have something to connect you, and maybe you’ll even become friends. Your children can play together, which helps them in the long run. Your child will have someone on their team to lean on, and it helps you out as well. If you’re all friends, then you’ll be able to enjoy time together, which includes grown-up time for tired moms and dads. Get the team together to have a cookout or a movie night, you can even do crafts or make banners for your team. Team spirit goes a long way, and when parents get involved, it brings your child’s confidence up so much more.

Encourage Movement

What’s more fun than getting the whole family out and moving? If your child gets a break in their schedule, pick up the mitts, bats, and balls and head out to have a family game of baseball. Show your child how much you’ve learned from them on the field, this is a positive way to build their self-esteem and to also bring you together. Bonding over a common interest is something that your child will always remember. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, make up your own rules, instead of using the bat to hit the ball, maybe you could use it like a golf club and try to hit the bases. Just enjoy the outdoors with your family and have fun playing as a team. Even a little friendly competition should bond your crew.

Balancing Family Time

Even though it can be hard to balance sports and family time, trust that it is possible! These years are essential in a child’s life and learning the valuable lessons that travel sports can ingrain into your child are rewarding. Not only is your child having fun playing sports with children his or her own age, but they are also learning the value of competition, the fun of winning, and the importance of being a respectful loser.

Plus, they’ll learn team work, gratitude, and how one’s attitude can get them far in life. Learning about failure and how to cope can also be an incredible lesson. Sports are a great way for children to learn about the world around them, and it is even more fun when you get involved in the action. Travel baseball and other sports are a wonderful addition to your family life, take it in stride and enjoy this time with your kiddos. Happy Parenting!

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