#DadsAsPrincipals - After-School

I’m not saying it’s the way, but it’s my way.

Since the start of Tiny Tot (insert name of sport, here), I’ve always volunteered to help coach my children’s athletic activities. (See the blog post that I wrote, previously, #DadsAsPrincipals - #DadsAsCoaches) I’ll continue to do it as long as he keeps asking me.

So this fall, my son, who just turned eight, has been busy. As a result, we’ve been busy. During one particular week, we had a football game, two football practices, a baseball game, and a basketball practice. That makes for a busy week. Throw in the 40++ hour work weeks that my wife and I both work, plus our daughter’s dance and gymnastics classes, and it makes for a crazy week.

My wife isn’t always thrilled about our schedule of events, Monday through Friday. And I can’t say that I blame her. After a long day at work, sometimes you just want to get home and be home.

Nonetheless, I love it. I love having something that forces me to leave work at a decent hour. I love having something to do, something (practice or a game) to fully engage-in after work that allows my mind to completely detach from the day-to-day stresses of the job. It allows me to focus on the present; it allows me to Be There.

I love sports, and coaching is why I, initially, got into education. Sports are a great opportunity to teach character education; building character through sports is quite possibly my favorite thing about them. Plus, I love working with kids. I love helping kids.

Being able to watch kids learn and grow in areas that they are willing to commit and enjoy is a pretty neat thing to witness. It’s even neater knowing that you possibly played a role in contributing to that development. And it’s a bond with my son. That’s my favorite part.

There is no blueprint for balance. It’s personal. What can you handle? What can you live with? No...it’s more than that; much more. What makes you happy? Do that. Even if/when it’s unconventional, because like my daughter says...