Category: Sports

  • Summer Sports, Backyard Chaos, and How We Somehow Got Into Pickleball

    Summer Sports, Backyard Chaos, and How We Somehow Got Into Pickleball

    There’s something about summer that makes kids want to try every sport all at once.

    And by kids, I mean my child specifically, who wakes up every morning like he’s training for multiple athletic events… none of which I fully understand.

    One minute it’s baseball. Then it’s soccer.

    Then we’re in the backyard inventing something that loosely resembles a sport but definitely involves water.


    And somehow — somewhere along the way — we are now a pickleball family.

    I truly do not remember agreeing to this.

    This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through them. I only share products we’ve used, loved, or genuinely found helpful in our own sports journey.

    Backyard Sports: Where It All Actually Happens

    If I’m being honest, most of our “sports training” doesn’t happen at practice.

    It happens in the backyard.

    Barefoot. Slightly chaotic. Usually with snacks involved.

    This is where confidence actually builds — not in perfect drills, but in just letting them try things over and over again.

    We’ve been using simple setups that make it easy to play without overthinking it:

    👉 Soft foam sports balls
    👉 Kids complete fitness toy set
    👉 Soccer goal set

    👉 Water Baseball

    Nothing fancy. Nothing intimidating. Just enough to keep him moving.

    And if you’re just getting into sports like we are, I talk more about keeping it simple in my
    👉 Beginner’s Guide for Parents Who Don’t Know Much About Sports

    Because truly — you don’t need much to get started.


    The Water + Sports Phase (Why Did I Not Think of This Sooner?)

    At some point, it got hot.

    Like… “we’re not doing anything unless water is involved” hot.

    And that’s when summer sports turned into water sports.

    We started adding water into everything:

    Enter: the backyard baseball launcher situation.

    Why did I not think of this sooner?

    It keeps him engaged WAY longer, and somehow he doesn’t even realize he’s practicing.

    We’ve also leaned into: sprinkler for kids / splash pad

    Because if they’re going to be outside anyway, it might as well be fun.


    Summer Camps: Where They Somehow Learn Even More

    Summer sports camps are one of those things I didn’t fully understand until we did one.

    I assumed it would be:

    • A lot of standing around
    • Mild chaos
    • Maybe a craft thrown in

    What it actually is:

    • Skill building
    • Confidence building
    • Socializing
    • And kids coming home exhausted in the best way

    It’s also where my kid started saying things like,
    “Coach said…”

    Which is when I knew we had officially entered a new phase.

    If you’re balancing camps, practices, and everything else, this is where having systems helps. I break that down more in:

    👉 How We Survive Youth Sports Schedules (Even When I Don’t Know What Day It Is)
    👉 Essential Tips for Youth Sports Parents

    Because summer schedules? They escalate quickly.


    The Snacks, The Bags, The Chaos

    Summer sports come with… logistics.

    There is always:

    • A bag
    • A backup bag
    • Snacks
    • Water
    • Something you forgot

    We now keep a “ready-to-go” setup because I got tired of scrambling every time we left the house.

    👉 Kid water bottle
    👉 Snack cooler
    👉 Zbar protein
    👉 Applesauce
    👉 Yogurt pouches

    Because nothing changes the mood faster than realizing you forgot snacks.

    Nothing.


    And Then… Pickleball Happened

    I don’t know how to explain this part other than:

    We went somewhere.
    There was a court.
    Someone handed him a paddle.

    And now… we play pickleball.

    Casually.
    Aggressively.
    Frequently.

    He loves it because:

    • It’s fast
    • It’s simple
    • It feels like a game

    I love it because:

    • I can mostly understand what’s happening
    • It doesn’t require a full gear setup
    • It’s actually fun

    This is how it happens, right?

    You try one thing… and suddenly it’s part of your routine.


    Summer Sports Are Not About Perfection

    If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this:

    Summer sports don’t need to be structured to be valuable.

    They just need to happen.

    It’s:

    • Backyard games
    • Messy attempts
    • Random new interests
    • Trying something, quitting, trying something else

    It’s not about getting it right.

    It’s about letting them explore.


    The Real Win

    I still don’t fully understand all the rules.
    I still Google things mid-conversation.
    I still ask questions that probably have obvious answers.

    But I’m watching my kid:

    • Try new things
    • Build confidence
    • Stay active
    • And actually love it

    And that’s kind of the whole point.


    If You’re in Your Summer Sports Era Too…

    Lean into it.

    Let it be messy.
    Let it be fun.
    Let them try everything.

    Even if that means:

    • Your backyard turns into a sports complex
    • Your car becomes a snack station
    • And you somehow become a pickleball family overnight


    Tell Me I’m Not Alone

    What random sport did your kid get into this summer?

    And more importantly…
    Did you see it coming?

  • 10 Sports Terms I Just Learned (And How I Was Using Them Wrong)

    10 Sports Terms I Just Learned (And How I Was Using Them Wrong)

    I thought I had a decent handle on sports.

    Not like… expert-level. But enough to clap at the right times and nod confidently when other parents said things like “great play.”


    And then my kid started actually understanding the game.

    Which is when I realized… I had been using almost every sports term incorrectly for years. Not slightly wrong.Fully, confidently wrong.


    The kind of wrong where your kid looks at you like, “I love you, but please stop talking.”.

    This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through them. I only share products we’ve used, loved, or genuinely found helpful in our own sports journey.

    The Moment I Knew I Was in Trouble. We were at a game — one of those slightly chaotic, early-season ones where everyone is still figuring things out.

    I made what I thought was a very supportive, very normal comment:

    “Wow, great goal!”

    It was not a goal.

    It was… something else. Something important. Something my child immediately corrected me on with the authority of someone who has watched three YouTube videos and now considers themselves an expert.


    That’s when I knew: I was going to have to learn sports… from my kid. Honestly, I’ve been learning as I go — which is basically how this whole journey started. If you’re new to this too, I shared more about that in my Beginner’s Guide for Parents Who Don’t Know Much About Sports (because I truly did not come into this with a game plan).


    1. “Offside”

    What I thought it meant:
    Someone was… off to the side?

    What it actually means:
    There are rules. Lines. Timing. None of which I fully understand, but I now respect deeply. I used to say things like, “He was just standing there!”

    Apparently, that is the problem.


    2. “Assist”

    What I thought it meant:
    Someone helped a little.

    What it actually means:
    A very important, stat-worthy contribution that I absolutely should have been recognizing.

    Now I overcorrect and yell things like,
    “Great assist!!”
    even when I’m not 100% sure one happened.


    3. “Hat Trick”

    What I thought it meant:
    Something involving an actual hat.

    What it actually means:
    Three goals. Same player. Big deal.

    I once asked where the hat was.

    No one answered me.


    4. “Power Play”

    What I thought it meant:
    Someone was doing really well.

    What it actually means:
    There’s a penalty situation and one team has an advantage. Now I just say, “Oh wow, this is big,” and hope for the best.


    5. “Faceoff”

    What I thought it meant:
    A confrontation. Possibly emotional.

    What it actually means:
    A very structured start to play.

    I used to say, “Uh oh, here we go,” like something dramatic was about to happen. Now I know… it is just the beginning.


    6. “Cleats vs. Sneakers”

    What I thought it meant:
    Shoes are shoes.

    What it actually means:
    They are absolutely not interchangeable and you will know this five minutes before practice.


    This is how I ended up panic-ordering proper gear mid-season.

    soccer cleats and shin guards/socks. Lesson learned. This was also the moment I realized I needed an actual system for sports gear — not just throwing things in the backseat and hoping for the best. I ended up putting together a simple approach that has saved us more than once in my Essential Tips for Youth Sports Parents.

    7. “Warm-Ups”

    What I thought it meant:
    Optional. Casual. Light stretching.

    What it actually means:
    Essential. Structured. Something my child takes very seriously.

    We now have a whole pre-game routine that includes stretching, running, and occasionally using things at home like a small setup to burn energy before games.

    kids complete fitness toy set


    8. “Practice Gear vs. Game Gear”

    What I thought it meant:
    Same bag. Same stuff. Grab and go.

    What it actually means:
    Different everything.

    This is how we ended up with multiple bags — one for each sport — because apparently mixing them causes chaos. A soccer bag and a duffle bag/hockey bag.

    Now I just keep them packed at all times and hope for the best. If you’ve ever shown up with the wrong bag (or no bag), you already know why this matters. I go way more into how we organize everything — without overcomplicating it — in my Youth Sports Tips for Parents.

    9. “Hydration Break”

    What I thought it meant:
    A quick sip of water.

    What it actually means:
    A full emotional reset.

    Snacks, water, regrouping, sometimes a full personality shift.

    We do not leave the house without backup snacks anymore.

    kid water bottle
    Snack cooler
    Zbar / applesauce / yogurt pouches

    Because a hungry athlete is… not someone you want to negotiate with. This is also where I learned that being even slightly unprepared can completely derail the day. Snacks, water, backup everything — it all matters more than I expected. I break down exactly what we keep on hand in my Sports Parent Survival Tips.

    10. “Sideline Behavior”

    What I thought it meant:
    Sit and watch quietly.

    What it actually means:
    A full experience.

    You’re cheering, reacting, trying to follow along, and occasionally Googling things mid-game while pretending you’re checking a text.

    I now come prepared.

    A chair
    portable phone charger
    sanitizing wipes

    Because if I’m going to be confused, I’m at least going to be comfortable.

    If you’re also figuring this out as you go, you’re not alone. I’ve been sharing more of the real-life lessons (and mistakes) over in my Tips section, where I break things down in a way that actually makes sense for beginners.


    What I’ve Learned (Besides the Terms)

    Here’s the thing.

    I still don’t know everything. Not even close.

    I still whisper Google searches during games.
    I still clap at questionable moments.
    I still nod like I understand more than I do.

    But I’m learning.

    And more importantly — my kid doesn’t care that I don’t know everything.

    They just care that I’m there.

    Cheering. Showing up. Trying.

    Even if I call something a goal when it’s definitely not.


    The Real Win

    This whole “sports mom learning curve” isn’t about getting every term right.

    It’s about:

    Showing up
    Letting your kid teach you
    Laughing at yourself
    And slowly, accidentally… learning along the way

    Because one day you’ll say something correctly and your kid will go:

    “Yeah, that’s right.”

    And honestly?
    That feels like a win.

    And if you’re just getting started with youth sports and feel completely lost (same), I highly recommend starting here:

    👉 Beginner’s Guide for Parents Who Don’t Know Much About Sports
    👉 Essential Tips for Youth Sports Parents


    Tell Me I’m Not Alone

    Please tell me I’m not the only one learning sports terms in real time.

    What’s a sports term you recently learned (or confidently used wrong for way too long)?

    Drop it in the comments — I need to know I’m in good company.


    SEO Notes (already baked in)

    This post naturally includes:

    funny mom blog

    beginner sports terms

    sports mom learning

    youth sports parenting

    Home » Sports
  • Beginner’s Sports Guide for Parents Who Don’t Know Much about Sports

    Beginner’s Sports Guide for Parents Who Don’t Know Much about Sports

    Skill building, exploring, and not overspending in the early years

    Even though I grew up cheerleading and skiing, team sports culture feels like a completely different world.


    Cheer had routines and repetition. Skiing was individual and seasonal. But soccer practice? Hockey drills? Rotating positions? That’s new territory.


    So when we first dipped our toes into youth sports, I kept reminding myself: this doesn’t have to start big.


    When kids are little, sports should look like play.

    Before leagues.
    Before uniforms.

    Before standing in a field wondering why everyone else seems to know which direction to run.


    One of the best early decisions we made was focusing on balance and coordination first. A Strider bike helped build confidence without the pressure of learning pedals right away.

    It wasn’t about becoming competitive. It was about letting my child trust their body — something I knew mattered from skiing, even if the sport itself was different.

    This post contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you choose to purchase through them. I only share products we’ve used, loved, or genuinely found helpful in our own sports journey.

    Let Them Explore (Even If You Don’t Understand the Sport Yet)

    There’s something humbling about watching your child get excited about a sport you don’t fully understand.


    I can break down cheer counts in my sleep. I can explain ski lifts and green runs. But ask me about formations in soccer or line changes in hockey? I’m Googling.


    So instead of trying to steer them toward what I knew, I let them explore.

    We started simple — backyard play with soft foam sports balls.

    Kicking. Throwing. Missing. Laughing.

    No structure. No whistle. No sideline pressure.

    And I realized something important: they don’t need me to be an expert. They just need me to create space to try.

    Some weeks, they wanted soccer.
    Some weeks, they wanted to race bikes.
    Some weeks, they invented games that made absolutely no sense but involved a lot of running.

    Exploration isn’t lack of commitment. It’s skill building in disguise.


    Don’t Overspend Early (Especially When You’re Still Figuring It Out)

    When you didn’t grow up in team sports, it’s easy to assume you need all the gear immediately. Because everyone else seems prepared.

    But early on, you’re not investing in a long-term sport — you’re investing in exposure.

    Instead of diving into expensive equipment, we leaned into simple tools that supported movement and coordination.


    A kid’s complete fitness toy set turned our driveway into an obstacle course.

    Mini hurdles. Cones. Balance work. All the things that quietly build athletic skills without labeling them as “training.”

    We added a simple soccer goal set in the backyard.

    Not for competition — just for practice kicks after school while I started dinner.

    Those small, low-pressure moments built more confidence than any official league sign-up could have at that age.

    Skill Building Through Play (Even If It’s Not Your Sport)

    One thing cheerleading and skiing did teach me is that foundational skills matter more than early specialization.

    Balance.
    Coordination.
    Endurance.
    Listening.
    Resilience.

    Those translate across sports.

    So even if I don’t understand every rule in hockey or soccer, I understand effort. I understand practice. I understand falling down and getting back up.

    That’s what I focus on now.

    Not whether they’re ahead.
    Not whether they’re the best on the field.
    But whether they’re building skills that will serve them long-term.


    When Organized Sports Enter the Picture

    Eventually, the backyard turns into sign-up forms.

    And that’s when imposter syndrome can creep in.

    Other parents seem fluent in the language of drills and positions. Coaches use terminology like everyone should know it.

    That’s usually when I smile, nod, and Google later.

    And it’s okay.

    You don’t have to share your child’s exact sports background to support them in it.

    You just have to show up.


    The Part That Surprised Me Most

    The emotional side of youth sports is universal — no matter what you grew up playing.

    The first fall.
    The first loss.
    The first proud moment when something clicks.

    Those feelings don’t require rule knowledge.

    They require presence.

    And maybe a snack.


    You Don’t Have to Be an Expert in Their Sport

    You can have a background in cheer and skiing and still feel completely out of your depth at a hockey rink.

    You can understand athletic discipline but not know when to clap.

    You can be athletic-adjacent and still feel new here.

    The good news?

    Your child doesn’t need you to know everything about their sport.

    They need you to:

    • Encourage them
    • Let them explore
    • Avoid overspending before they’re ready
    • Celebrate effort over performance

    And trust that confidence grows slowly — one backyard kick, one practice, one slightly confusing game at a time.



    Home » Sports

  • The Olympics, According to My Kid (and Me, Who Knows Almost Nothing)

    The Olympics, According to My Kid (and Me, Who Knows Almost Nothing)

    Every four years, the Winter Olympics show up on TV and I’m reminded just how many sports exist that I do not fully understand.

    There are flags.
    There is dramatic music.

    There are athletes doing things that feel both incredibly impressive and mildly alarming.

    I love the Olympics — not because I know the rules, but because the vibes are elite.

    This year, though, the Olympics didn’t just show up on our TV.


    They took over our entire house.

    Because when you watch the Olympics with a toddler, you’re not just watching sports — you’re accidentally raising an athlete.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only share products I actually use or think other parents will love.

    The Sports I Did Not Know Existed (But Now Narrate Loudly)

    The Winter Olympics are packed with sports I never grew up knowing about.

    There’s ski jumping, which feels like courage mixed with questionable decision-making.

    There’s luge and skeleton, which look like, “What if we went faster… but face first?”

    There’s curling, which seems suspiciously like aggressive housekeeping.

    And then there’s biathlon — skiing and shooting — because apparently one sport wasn’t enough.

    There are also those ice racing / ski cross events where multiple people fly downhill at once, jumping, crashing, and somehow surviving. I don’t know the rules. I just gasp.

    As a Not a Sports Mom, my job is mostly asking:

    • “Is this timed or judged?”
    • “Is that part of the plan?”
    • “Are they okay???”

    I do not always get answers.

    But my kid?
    He gets ideas.


    Suddenly, Our House Needed Equipment

    Not official Olympic-grade equipment — just things that could survive a toddler with confidence.

    The kids weightlifting set came out immediately, because apparently we’re training now. This is the same beginner set we already had, and it’s now been “competed” with daily ever since.
    👉 We use this Kids Complete Fitness Toy Set

    Then came the dramatic floor work. Rolling. Jumping. Falling. Celebrating.

    That’s where foam mats, balance toys, and anything that lets him move safely came in.
    👉 Balance Board
    👉 Balance Board Game
    👉 Indoor Obstacle Course


    The Swiffer Is No Longer a Cleaning Tool

    At some point during Olympic coverage, my kid decided the Swiffer had a higher calling.

    The Swiffer has officially been reassigned from cleaning duties to full-time Olympic support staff.

    Some days it’s a ski pole.

    Other days it’s part of speed skating warm-ups.
    During biathlon coverage, it became “the thing you ski with and hold.”

    Honestly? At least it’s keeping him moving.

    When we want something actually meant for sports, these get used constantly:
    👉 Hockey Indoor Set
    👉 Soft Foam Sports Balls
    👉 Goal Set


    He Has Joined a Hockey Team From the Living Room

    Hockey is a big one in our house. So when a game comes on, my kid doesn’t just watch — he joins.

    He grabs his hockey stick — the same one he insists is “just like the real ones” — and lines up directly in front of the TV.
    👉 American Flag Hockey Stick

    Sometimes he switches teams mid-period.
    Sometimes he announces he’s benched.
    Sometimes he celebrates a goal before it actually happens.

    We rotate between:
    👉 HOCKEY Shooting Practice Set
    👉 Hockey Shooting Tape Practice

    I nod supportively, like a coach who understands none of it.


    Luge, Skeleton, and the “Roller Coaster” Sport

    Then there’s luge. Or skeleton. Or whatever terrifying sled-based sport happens to be on.

    To my kid, this is not dangerous.

    This is a roller coaster.


    He lays flat on the floor, arms tight to his sides, whisper-yelling “GO FAST” while sliding approximately three inches.


    At one point, he lined up pillows into what he called “the track.”

    I let it happen because the alternative was explaining physics.

    For winter-inspired chaos, these help:
    👉 Sled
    👉 Scooter Board
    👉 Trampoline


    Curling: Aggressive Housekeeping, Toddler Edition

    Curling deserves its own moment.

    Watching grown adults slide stones across ice somehow convinced my kid this was very doable.

    We leaned into it with:
    👉 Indoor Hovering Curling Set
    👉 Tabletop Curling Game

    Still unclear on the rules. Very clear on the enthusiasm.


    The Olympics Are Also Apparently a Family Event

    In our house, Olympic athletes aren’t strangers — they’re people we know.

    My kid is fully convinced certain people in his life are competing.

    Uncle B?
    Obviously doing ski jump.

    No questions.
    It just makes sense.

    Sometimes he points at the screen and says, “That could be him.” And honestly? Sure. Why not.


    Playing Olympics Without Knowing the Rules

    You don’t need to know the rules to play Olympics at home.

    You just need:

    • A living room
    • Imagination
    • Objects that were absolutely not designed for sports
    • A willingness to clap enthusiastically at unclear moments

    We rotate constantly. Lifting. Hockey. Sliding. Jumping. Curling. Skiing with a Swiffer.

    It’s chaotic.
    It’s loud.
    It’s joyful.


    If You Want to Lean Into the Olympic Chaos

    What’s actually getting used in our house — not perfectly, not correctly, but enthusiastically:


    A Very Not a Sports Mom Takeaway

    I still don’t know the rules.
    I still cheer at questionable moments.
    I still don’t understand half of what’s happening on the screen.

    But watching my kid try everything — without fear of being bad at it — is kind of incredible.


    The Olympics in our house aren’t about medals.

    They’re about movement, imagination, and letting kids explore what they love.

    Even if that means your Swiffer becomes Olympic equipment.

    Home » Sports
  • ❄️ Winter Sports for Toddlers: How We Burn Energy When It’s Cold and Everyone Is Over It

    ❄️ Winter Sports for Toddlers: How We Burn Energy When It’s Cold and Everyone Is Over It

    Winter is confusing as a parent.

    It’s freezing outside.
    The sun sets at 4:30pm.
    And yet… your toddler still wakes up every morning ready to move.

    I don’t know who decided kids should have peak energy during the coldest, darkest months of the year — but here we are.

    As a Not a Sports Mom, winter sports look a little different in our house. They’re less about rules and more about survival. Less “training” and more “please run around before bedtime.”

    Here’s what’s actually worked for us — both indoors and outdoors — when winter hits and staying active feels harder than it should.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only share products I actually use or think other parents will love.

    Indoor Sports (Because Sometimes Going Outside Is Just Not Happening)

    Let’s start with the days when:

    • it’s too cold
    • it’s raining sideways
    • or you simply don’t have it in you

    🏀 Indoor Basketball (Hallway Edition)

    At some point, I accepted that our hallway is now a sports facility.

    A basketball hoop and a soft foam ball turn five minutes of setup into a solid 20 minutes of running, throwing, missing wildly, and celebrating anyway.

    Do I know the rules?
    No.
    Do I know it burns energy?
    Yes.

    ⚽ Indoor Soccer (Low Stakes, High Chaos)

    Indoor soccer with toddlers is mostly just running in circles with a ball — and honestly, that’s enough.

    We use:

    I don’t call drills. I just say, “Can you kick it over there?” and hope for the best.

    🏒 Floor Hockey (Same Dream, Less Ice)

    After attending enough hockey games, my toddler decided ice hockey was the goal.

    Ice was not happening.

    So we compromised with:

    It’s loud. It’s chaotic. But it scratches the itch without frostbite.


    “Winter Sports” Without the Winter Part

    Some sports don’t require snow — just balance and enthusiasm.

    ⛷️ Balance Practice (Pretend Ski Training)

    I’ve learned that toddlers don’t care if something is “technically correct.”

    A balance board (without screen time), a balance board game, or stepping stones become ski training in their minds.
    Scooters indoors (with rules) count too.

    Does this prepare them for the Olympics?
    Unclear.
    Does it help with coordination?
    Absolutely.

    🧘 Movement That Isn’t a Sport (But Saves the Day)

    Some days we need calmer movement.

    This is where kids yoga cards, stretch bands, or indoor obstacle courses come in.

    I call it “movement.”
    They call it “playing.”
    Everyone wins.


    Outdoor Winter Sports (When You Brave the Cold)

    When the weather is cold but manageable, getting outside still matters — even if it’s short.

    ❄️ Snow Sports for Toddlers

    Snow turns everything into a sport:

    • kicking a soccer ball through snow
    • throwing snowballs at a target
    • pulling a sled (which definitely counts as conditioning)

    The key here isn’t duration — it’s layers.

    Warm gloves, snow pants, and waterproof boots (👉 add links here) make all the difference between fun and meltdown.


    What I’ve Learned as a Not a Sports Mom in Winter

    Winter sports don’t need to look impressive.
    They don’t need rules.
    They don’t need perfect form.

    They just need:

    • movement
    • consistency
    • and a willingness to redefine what “counts”

    Because burning energy matters more than knowing the playbook.


    What Actually Helped Us (For Fellow Winter Survivors)

    If you’re staring down winter with an active toddler, these are the things that genuinely helped us:

    No pressure. No must-haves. Just options.


    Final Thoughts From the Cold Sidelines

    You don’t need to know sports to raise an active kid in winter.

    You just need:

    • flexibility
    • creativity
    • and realistic expectations

    If movement happens — even in small bursts — you’re doing it right.


    ❄️ Your Turn

    What do winter sports look like in your house?
    Indoor chaos? Backyard snow games?
    Tell me — I’m always taking notes.

    Home » Sports

  • About the Blog: Not a Sports Mom

    About the Blog: Not a Sports Mom

    Cheering loudly. Understanding… well, we’re working on it.

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only share products I actually use or think other parents will love.

    Welcome to Not a Sports Mom

    Welcome to Not a Sports Mom — the corner of the internet for every parent who has ever sat on a sideline thinking, “Wait… why did the ref blow the whistle this time?”

    If you’ve ever googled rules during a game, cheered at the wrong moment, or nodded along in a sideline conversation you absolutely did not understand, squinted at a field wondering what just happened, clapped a second too late, or nodded through a sideline conversation about “defense formations” you didn’t fully follow — you belong here.
    You’re in the right place.
    Actually, you’re home.

    Welcome to Not a Sports Mom

    Not a Sports Mom is a humor-filled, heart-forward space for parents raising sports-loving kids despite having zero sports background themselves. Because loving your kid and knowing the rules are two very different job descriptions.

    Here, we celebrate:

    • the chaotic charm of early-morning games
    • the confusion that comes with whistles, refs, and sports terms
    • the pride you feel watching your kid shine (even if you don’t know the score)
    • and the hilarious, relatable learning curve of becoming a “sports mom” by accident

    Grab your iced coffee, claim your sideline chair, and come laugh with the rest of us who are just doing our best out there.

    You don’t need to know the plays to show up for your kid.

    You just need a sense of humor — and maybe a snack bag.

    Hi, I’m Lisa — a proud mom, an enthusiastic cheer-er, and a deeply confused human when it comes to sports.

    I never grew up playing leagues, studying stats, or color-coding practice schedules. But here I am, raising a sports-obsessed kid whose idea of fun is talking about positions, his favorite teams and players, plays, and rules I’ve never even heard of.

    So this blog is my story:
    A mom who’s navigating youth sports with love, humor, and absolutely no clue what’s happening on the field.

    Why This Blog Exists

    Because not every mom on the sidelines grew up as an athlete.
    Because loving your kid and knowing the rules are two very different skill sets.
    And because there are millions of us out here just trying our best while pretending we understand what “offsides” means.

    Not a Sports Mom is here to:

    • make you laugh
    • make you feel seen
    • celebrate the chaos of learning sports through your kid
    • remind you that you don’t need to be a sports expert to be an amazing sports parent

    What You’ll Find Here

    Sideline Stories

    True tales of confusion, chaos, and the moments that make youth sports unforgettable.

    Beginner Guides (Written by a Beginner)

    Think: “explain it to me like I’m five,” (but my five-year-old knows more than me) but funnier.

    Sports-Mom Fails

    Because if you can’t laugh at yourself cheering for the wrong team, what can you laugh at?

    The Emotional Rollercoaster

    Pride, panic, joy, confusion — usually all within the same 60 seconds.

    Learning Moments

    Spoiler: my child teaches me more about sports than I ever taught him.

    My Philosophy

    You don’t need a background in sports to show up, support your kid, and build memories that last forever.

    You just need:

    • a folding chair that’s survived at least one season
    • a snack bag (because hunger makes everything worse)
    • sunscreen you’ll forget to apply until it’s too late
    • a willingness to embarrass yourself
    • a water bottle (for you) and your kid that actually stays cold
    • and a heart big enough to cheer even when you’re not totally sure what’s happening

    If You’re a “Not a Sports Mom” Too…

    You’re not alone.
    You’re not behind.
    And you’re definitely not doing it wrong.

    You’re just parenting in the wildest, funniest, most unexpectedly rewarding arena of all: youth sports.

    Grab a seat on the sidelines — let’s figure it out together.
    And probably laugh a whole lot along the way.

    Sideline Survival Basics (From Experience, Not Expertise)

    Over time, I’ve learned that you don’t need to know the rules — but you do need a few basics if you’re going to survive youth sports:

    • A folding chair that doesn’t dig into your legs
    • A snack bag that can handle both kids and parents
    • Sunscreen, even on cloudy days. I started to keep the travel size in my car
    • A water bottle for you and for the athlete that stays cold through the second half
    • A portable phone charger, because of all the photos and videos.

    None of this makes you a sports expert — but it does make you a prepared sideline parent.

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