13 Things I've Learned as a Soccer Mom

That's probably because you're too busy chatting or chasing after a younger sibling who would rather do anything than watch her big brother play ball. It's OK though, your kids don't need to know that you missed their game-winning goal. Just say you saw it, it was great, and you're so impressed . . . then resume your conversation!

Everyone wants their kid to hit the tying run and score the winning goal, but it won't happen as often as you or they wish. And it feels like a punch to your gut when you see your child's disappointment. Yes, your child needs to learn that they won't always succeed, but that doesn't mean it doesn't hurt — badly.

They're an excellent ice breaker and a great way to bring a team together. When one of my kids was having trouble getting comfortable on a team, we brought a pack to each game and had him offer them to his teammates. Pretty soon everyone was talking to him and he felt much more at home on the team.

During my son's first travel baseball season, we used old beach chairs on the sidelines. But they were low to the ground and, invariably, someone in a tall chair blocked our view. Plus they made it hard to have a conversation with someone. Those umbrella sideline chairs cost less than $20 and are a lifesaver when you're spending endless hours on the sidelines.

Be respectful of the coaches and your children's teammates' time. Everyone is busy, and no one has time to be waiting for your child just because you were too lazy to get there on time.

And some kids, like mine, don't like to be cheered from the sideline at all. Respect their wishes and do as they ask. The last thing you want is to embarrass them — even if it feels impossible to keep your mouth shut!

It's important to cheer on everyone on the team, not just your kid. It reminds your child that they're on a team and that it's not all about them. Plus, other parents may not be as congratulatory as you, so it's nice to give them encouragement too!

It may sound cheesy, but my kids may have learned as much off the field as on it. From becoming responsible for packing their own game bags and gathering up their belongings at the end of a game to learning to care for their uniforms and ensuring they are clean on time, they've learned life lessons that will last long after little league ends.

You know you should be providing granola bars and fruit for the kids at the end of the game, but when you do, half of it comes home with you. The next week, the snack mom brings two dozen doughnuts and 60 doughnut holes and they're gone in 10 seconds flat. There's a reason for that. Do yourself a favor and just get the doughnuts. It's what the kids really want.

And have plenty of extra instant ice packs on hand. Even if it is the team mom's job to have one, it never hurts to have an extra kit on hand. It's amazing how many kids need those ice packs — even if they only use them for two minutes.

Yes, you're likely to have issues with your kid's coach at some point. And yes, you want to complain. But don't do it within earshot of your child. They're likely to repeat whatever you say, and that's a recipe for a bad situation.

Kids eat a lot, that's no secret. But if you're playing a doubleheader or in a tournament somewhere other than home, do a little research beforehand and have a local pizzeria that delivers on speed dial. The team — and their parents — will thank you!