GainesvilleMoms.com

Well, my weekends have been taken over. My children play sports for the Santa Fe Pop Warner team. We live in Gaiensville. We have been in Alachua 4-5 days a week since 8/1 and now the games start. Bye, Bye my my time, hello theirs. This is year number 5 that we have done this, but I am starting to feel like a crazy person. Pray for me!!!

Just don't forget to take some time off for YOU when you feel to overwhelm. Don't want you crashing.

I will do my best. I am REALLY looking forward to the cane vs gator game nest weekend. I will be the first time ina LONG time that my husband get to go out with out kids!! Go Canes!!!

Our children (age 8 and 14) have played soccer every season since age 3. They started with YMCA (too costly, lousy fields up until recently, cheap uniforms for the cost and the kids get a new team twice yearly).

They now play with YSI, which is less costly ($125 for the entire year and they keep the same team), better organized and they've learned much more in the way of skill. The practices are also held ALL over town so it's more convenient. Hubby is the assistant coach of our daughter's team and our son practices on the same NW field (at the same time, which is wonderfully easy).

My kids have YSI soccer T, TH and weekends. They have karate lessons M, W and F. They have youth group and CCF classes Sunday and our daughter's Westwood soccer team begins its M/W games next week.

If you think it's bad now, just wait until they're older. But, it's all good. We (and you, obviously) are blessed with involved kids. And as a high school teacher, I know that the more involved kids are with their families (and in their schools), the happier and more successful they are. Watching healthy, active, happy kids truly warms the heart.

Good luck to your children in their soccer season.

I haven't gotten to this stage yet as a mom, but I remember those days fondly as a child. I couldn't wait for weekends spent with my friends at the ball park or soccer fields, even though I'm sure my parents were exhausted every weekend. Even if they don't now, your kids will thank you for your time one day, and as FLNonny said, these activities will help them be well-rounded, healthy and active.

Good luck!