Today’s families are very busy, and with kids participating in so many different kinds of sporting activities, it can be a challenge to make sure your family spends time together having fun, no matter what is going on so here are some tips to make the most out of outdoor sporting events.
Best advice: Keep it simple. Just try to make it fun.
Your kids are eager to do whatever sport they love best, but as a parent, you want to be right there with them, to say encouraging things and to cheer them on as they face the tough competition.
Years from now, your children will remember the toughness of what they had to do at those competitive events, where they learned to compete successfully and sometimes face defeat, but they will never forget how you, as a parent shared it with them.
Whether you are constantly traveling from the football field, ball field, the track field, the fairgrounds, to the city pool, or to the outdoor race course for a number of sporting activities, there are a few things you can do to keep your family together and happy.
Staying organized at those events can be tough, especially if you have a large family and a busy schedule ahead of you as each child takes part in the competition.
Competitions are potentially stressful on children for many reasons. But they are also potentially fabulous and rewarding. Setting up sleeping arrangements and cooking meals for those situations can be challenging, but there are also other considerations to think about.
Here is a parent checklist to prepare for outdoor events:
- Park your vehicle in a secure location so your kids can find it during and after the event
- Make sure they know what to do if they get separated from you
- Keep a close eye on them to make sure they are safe at all times
- Bring along healthy snacks and make sure they get enough drinks to stay hydrated
- Make sure your children have time before and after their races to talk to you about their feelings
- Keep your attitude positive, so you can encourage them to do well
- Be prepared for emergencies and carry a medical kit in the car
- Remember to help each child wind down after the events by doing things like sitting around a firepit and telling funny stories, singing songs and enjoying the evening meal
I grew up in a large family (seven children) and we were always traveling to competitive swimming events. My parents came to everything and made every event a family campout. This was majorly important to each of us because even though we were doing something hard, our parents were there for constant support.
Once I lost an important race at my State’s swim competition one year, but what I remember the most is how much fun I had with my family, and the encouraging things my parents said to me during and after my event. I knew that no matter what happened, my family was there for me and was proud of what I did.
About the Author
Karen Bresnahan is a professional writer, photographer and artist from Boise, Idaho. She has a degree in Communications from the University of Idaho and is the mother of three children. She has published feature articles in the Valley News in Meridian, ID, and the Owyhee Avalanche in Homedale, ID.
Karen is a small business owner and is currently working on developing a web portfolio of her creative work, which includes Romantic Idaho Weddings, KBLifelines Positive Quotes, and Idaho Naturals Desertscapes artwork.
She enjoys writing stories that feature interesting people and health and fitness topics. Her goal is to motivate, educate and inspire others through her writing and photography.
You can connect with her through email at
idahokaren1111@gmail.com or on twitter @idaho1111