I am a Hockey Parent..

Today was spent driving around to every second hand, sports store that we could find in search for a deal on hockey equipment. No really I did!

I swear a good deal is something that has become a fascination for me lately. I think my Hymie husband has been wearing off one me. Big goober!

Well it started at a St. Vincent De Paul. I love this store, we walked in and all the kids new exactly where to go. Straight to the sporting goods section. Well except PC4. She went right to the toy area! So we rummaged through skates, neck guards, shoulder pads, shin pads, elbow pads to find a great deal. I was beyond looking at prices at this point. I figured it will not be more then 4 bucks and if it is OH WELL we need it. a sense of desperation was seeping over me. Silently panicing, anxiety was taking hold and the old chest was starting to tighten, my heart was racing. all that went through my head was" what am I going to do if I don't find everything I need? what a failure I am as a hockey mom" While crouching down my face starts to get hot.. " don't cry now ya big suck" I am thinking to myself. " this will work out, Oh look a drawer" I open the drawer and hidden in this drawer was the most beautiful pair of skates, a set of elbow pads and small chest protectors. I looked up and felt the panic leave. I look at the price and my friend Iris voice goes through my head" oh look no price tag its free!" * dollars for all items there I giggled. All sense of panic was washed away.

So the my PC and I, decided we had ransacked the sports section enough that some couple actually asked me if I had enough hockey equipment. puzzled, I said Umm not yet. Still got helmets, gloves, and some small stuff why? they walked away.

You see NON hockey parents do not understand the importance of this, Hockey isn't a sport its a lifestyle, its a way of life for us. we live it, breathe it, plan around it, do not leave town because of it, or if your rep you always are out of town. We take time off work, we reschedule our lives so that our kids can play hockey. Would we change anything? HELL NO!

Parents of hockey players have a special rapport, this is our common ground, When you see a precious cargo score his/her first goal, after working so hard to get that puck, its doesnt matter if its your precious cargo or someone else you still are proud and you let them know it!

So when we get angry at our League, moan and complain about how early we have to get up. Its almost like a marriage of sorts, This is the same with hockey, as much as we despise getting up at 545 we do we volunteer, we stand in the cold arenas screaming until we have no voice left and we do it why? We do it because there is no better to spend a Saturday morning and I dont think there are many of us would be any where else!

After 5 stores, a lot of money and making PC1 and PC2 cabbage patch in the mall parking lot(that is my favorite part of taking the kids out) Our hockey equipment in hand, skates traded in and sharpened, mouth guards and some funky hockey tape in hand we are headed home!

At home, unload the van. This took a while because there was 4 of everything. and we come in the house for the "dry run" The dry run usually takes A LOT longer, there is adjusting, shifting and moving of equipment between kids, " wait, is that yours or his?" " Umm PC1 You wear a jock not a jill " ( yes, sometimes hockey equipment gets confusing)

So after the dry run, there is the official taping of the stick. This is a important factor of getting ready for hockey. A properly taped stick means ... OK I'm not sure what it means but it sounded really good. So, everyone has their sticks taped.Hockey equipment doesn't smell any funkier then usual, its piled up ready for the big game. ( the air freshener is in the van for after the game)

Being a hockey parent has its challenges don't get me wrong. With 4 hockey players we are at the rink 5 days a week. But you can't do for one that you wont do for the other! This year will be trying but we will love every minute of it. With the help of my amazing family and friends We will do it with ease.

You see NON hockey parents do not understand and think we are crazy! But hockey isn't a just asport its a lifestyle, its a way of life for us. we live it, breathe it, plan around it, do not leave town because of it, or if your rep you always are out of town. We take time off work, we reschedule our lives so that our kids can play hockey. Would we change anything? HELL NO!

Parents of hockey players have a special rapport, this is our common ground, When you see a precious cargo score his/her first goal, after working so hard to get that puck, its doesnt matter if its your precious cargo or someone else you still are proud and you let them know it!

So when we get angry at our League, moan and complain about how early we have to get up. Its almost like a marriage of sorts, This is the same with hockey, as much as we despise getting up at 545 we do, we stand in the cold arenas screaming until we have no voice left and we do it why? We do it because there is no better way to relax. TO be quite honest I dont think there are many of us would be any where else!

To me this is what memories are! These are the memories of my childhood I cherish most. with that, I will take the old memories, while I create memories for my precious cargo.. And someday, they will do the same for thier precious cargo

MY name is Stephanie, I am a hockey parent and DAMN PROUD OF IT! Maybe you should try it!