Snacker
My son is finishing up his fifth season of soccer. At this age, the kids still get more excited about the after-game snacks than anything else.
Bringing goodies for our scheduled snack day used to be so simple. You just count up the number of players on the roster, then bring that many juices and granola bars.
But it all got so complicated. First off, people started bringing two snacks and a juice, sealed in Ziploc bags for easy handling. One snack is healthy, the other is something sweet and sugary. It's like an arms race for soccer moms (and dads), all trying to outdo each other from game to game.
The kids didn't help matters much. They've become such snack connoisseurs, immediately passing judgment on which parents are the coolest based on the size and quality of their Bag o' Snacks.
However, the biggest change I've seen in the Soccer Snack process came when someone deemed it necessary to bring snacks for all the players' younger siblings. Now it's an unspoken rule that you should bring extra bags of goodies.
I don't mind handing out snacks and drinks to the brothers and sisters who come to the games. We hear a lot less whining from the sidelines since these young kids are now focused on the possibility of receiving a treat after the game.
Hey, there's an idea. Maybe we wouldn't hear any whining at all if we start bringing snacks for the parents too!
Bringing goodies for our scheduled snack day used to be so simple. You just count up the number of players on the roster, then bring that many juices and granola bars.
But it all got so complicated. First off, people started bringing two snacks and a juice, sealed in Ziploc bags for easy handling. One snack is healthy, the other is something sweet and sugary. It's like an arms race for soccer moms (and dads), all trying to outdo each other from game to game.
The kids didn't help matters much. They've become such snack connoisseurs, immediately passing judgment on which parents are the coolest based on the size and quality of their Bag o' Snacks.
However, the biggest change I've seen in the Soccer Snack process came when someone deemed it necessary to bring snacks for all the players' younger siblings. Now it's an unspoken rule that you should bring extra bags of goodies.
I don't mind handing out snacks and drinks to the brothers and sisters who come to the games. We hear a lot less whining from the sidelines since these young kids are now focused on the possibility of receiving a treat after the game.
Hey, there's an idea. Maybe we wouldn't hear any whining at all if we start bringing snacks for the parents too!
Permalink posted by Idaho Dad at 12:18 AM
14 Comments:
Get me a snack while you are at it Phil. I'll take one of the sugary ones.
I feel your pain. This weekend is our snack weekend and I'm already getting stressed about it. :-)
But, in regards to the snacks for the younger sibling, I think it is a good idea to have a few extra just in case someone has a sibling who's feeling left out. I know we are in that situation each week and so we usually bring our own extra snack to slip to him at the end of the game.
Nothing can be easy.
Wow...... all that is so foreign to me.... over here the coash brings drinks for all the players for half time and usually orange slices.... after match food is not even a thought.... and as for giving siblings drinks and oranges ITS UNHEARD OF lol...... jebus, that all just so wouldnt wash over here....... the only time we as parents supply 'things' after matches, is if its a cup match and the other team have travelled from afar, then every players parent turns up with sarnies and crisps and scrummies which is put on a table in the club house so that the other team dont get to travel home hungry...and if there is anything left then the home team can jump in...... thats not to say that parents dont give there own little darling a mars bar or twix or some other scrummy after the match on the way home.....
X
coash = coach.... rolling me eyes, I need chocolate lol
x
I say bring them all carrots and tell them to get over it. Yeah, I know, fat chance.
The snack thing will get old eventually...my oldest plays on a U-19 rec soccer team and the coach designated a snack coordinator still! Half of these players are driving themselves to practice and games now, so I think they can handle bringing their own water and snack too!
The parents don't bring each other beer? Your soccer league is lame!
This is what comes of each team and player receiving awards at the end of the season ... It makes everyone feel good to get something. Builds up the old ego ... only to be deflated once real life happens. I say ... bring your own snacks ... and only the bonafide winning team gets trophy ;)
Oh my gosh. I think things are getting so out of hand for our kiddos. When I used to play softball it used to be I had to "earn" a ticket for the concession stand to get a treat! Now, kids are given treats and rewards all of the time - and heaven forbid one child be left out - even if he is a brat!
And we wonder why our children feel entitled?
FIRST, I LOVE THE CD, THANK YOU!!!!
2nd, we do NOT bring snacks for siblings...if we did, we would all go broke, I think you are a saint for that one!!!!! Love love love the cd, you are awesome!!!
Man, when I was a kid we were happy if the field has a water fountain.
Just bring me a bag of Sun Chips and I'll be happy.
I'm so glad my kids never liked soccer. They drink out the water fountain at the gym and they can get fruit snacks out of the vending machine if they bring their own money.
I've been coaching for years and last season I canceled organized snacks because I was tired of the:
1) arms race of crappy snacks
2) allergy issues with this kid or that kid
3) kids playing for the snack instaed of for the game
4) the number of . . large kids that were eating poorly and not being healthful.
Many of the parents were upset and some didn't join my team. I still think I did the right thing.
You can read my "manifesto" here: http://www.klenkefamily.net/dino2007/2007/05/why-soccer-snacks-at-all.html
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