Don't think it's too early

It's 40C or 105F out today.  A hot day for my neck of the woods. 

When it's this hot I wish one of my children were still getting ice time.  That I had a hockey rink to retreat to, somewhere cooler, much cooler, cold even.  
But there is another reason to be thinking hockey in June.  Hockey camps.  Skills camps.  Conditioning camps.  4 on 4 play.  In many large urban centres, if your child wasn't regstered for these activites in May, you will have no luck trying to get them accepted into a decent program.
I am lucky enough to be in a smaller urban setting.  This means there is still room in certain programs.  But beware.  Some of them are already full and no longer accepting applications. 

Fees can range from $100 to $1,000 or more depending on the program and the locale.

There was a time when hockey was anybody's sport.  Family income was never a barrier, because the sport was inexpensive.  I remember buying my brothers each a $15 hockey stick for Christmas and they were thrilled.  The expensive sticks weren't much more. 

Now, any child who has been playing for even a few years understands that playing with cheap equipment is embarrassing.  It is common place to see 12 year olds playing with $150 or $200 sticks.  Seriously.

Hockey, like so many other children's activities has become something for the more affluent families.  Like skiing or dance.  And more.

Does your child enjoy an organized extracurricular activity?  What does it cost?  Is that reasonable to you?

Pay attention

As parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles, we have to pay attention to our children's sports injuries.

A 17 yr old girl, a beautiful teenage athlete, died last May due to a concussion she received in a high school rugby game in Ottawa.  Concussions are serious and deserve our attention.

http://www.yourottawaregion.com/news/article/1623073--rugby-death-serves-as-stark-reminder...

A young man I know was benched last week at a competitive soccer tournament because of a concussion.  Smart move.  He had suffered his first concussion during the winter, in a hockey game.  Some would think that with all the high tech equipment our children now wear in such a sport that they are protected.  And certainly a 14 year old would not receive something serious like Sidney Crosby did.  Right?  Wrong!
The young man who was benched had his parents keeping a close eye on him throughout his hockey season.  They were smart enough to be concerned  He seemed to heal well.

Until he accidentally ran into a soccer referee.  His head collided with the ref's elbow.  Soccer players wear equipment to protect their legs, not their heads.  He hit hard enough that later, on the drive home, he had severe headaches and was vomiting.  Bear in mind, he did not hit hard enough to break the referee's elbow, but it was certainly hard enough considering the previous head injury.  So, under a doctor's care again, his parents haven't been letting him play soccer.  Wise.

Now you might think that would be the end of the story.  Not quite.  This young man hasn't played a sport since the soccer injury.  He felt well.  Today he came home from school with blurry vision and feeling nauseous.  More than two weeks later.  Some parents may have handed him some ibuprofen and told him to lie down for a while.  Afterall, he has to study for exams.  Don't do it.  The effects of a serious concussion can last for months!

I have seen a 13yr old hockey player go almost 4 months before the doctor allowed him back on the ice.  Serious stuff.
Please parents, keep a close watch over your children.  These injuries are not to be ignored or passed over as insignificant.  And the effects of repeated concussions can follow them into and throughout adulthood.  Among the issues is a higher chance of dementia as they age.  Take a look at this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klESLYtbRe8

Take the cautious road.  Pay attention.  When anyone suspects a head injury, have it medically checked out.  Don't think that your child will tell you all the symptoms.  They might fear you will stop them from playing, maybe thinking they can shake it off, or worse - that their friends will call them a wimp.  Better to be safe than sorry.  Have them examined by a doctor.

As for the young soccer/hockey player, hang in there buddy.  Don't rush this!  Be patient with the healing process and get well.

Too much to do

Too much to do and too little time! 
It's a trap so many of us fall into, especially single parents.  Why do we do it?
For some of us, it is a 'keeping up with the Joneses' syndrome.
Or it can be that we want our children to have it all.
Or maybe there just isn't anyone else to do half of it for us.
I'm guilty of all the above.
Whatever the excuse, do you over schedule yourself?  Why do you do it?

It's a beautiful day here, 68F or 20C.  Great for yard work.  Yes, I live in a part of Canada that easily considers this to be shorts and tank top weather.  You would too if you have ever experienced a -40C winter day.  What does that convert to in farenheit you say ?  Ha!  As the locals say, when it is that cold, who cares?

So the front lawn is cut.  Some gardening scheduled.  My official work day at a client's is done.  Cake is baked for school lunches.  But there are errands to run and housework here to do as well.  My son will have to go to his soccer game without me tonight.  There is too much to do.  I hardly ever miss my children's soccer or hockey games, but tonight is one of those nights when something has got to give.

Have you ever had to miss a child's game because you (or others) expect too much of yourself?

Everyday is a fresh start...

Starting again. 
As an older single mom raising two children (of the awesome variety) in a small town, my life has been peppered with fresh starts.  Each time, like you, I want life to be better for my family.  I search it, I test it (well sometimes I do this step), I play (experimenting can be good), I work at it (this one can take a long time).
In anycase, fresh starts are about improving getting better.  I used to write in a journal, the odd newspaper article and even dabbled in fiction.  I have been too busy the last several years to take another stab at writing regularly.  But now my two children are a bit older (ds is 15, dd will be 11 shortly) and I seem to have small windows of opportunity, sometimes peep holes, sometimes picture windows.
This blog is intended to be my documentation of an ongoing journey.  Be forewarned!  I have many interests!  From cooking/baking, nutrition, gardening, self sufficiency, spiritual pursuits, singing at my church, casual fashion, my children's sports (soccer and hockey) and schooling to interior decorating and creating spaces outside.  My list expands or shrinks as the schedule permits.  Hmmm.... I bet that sounds like some of you!
I have several projects on the go right now (doesn't everybody?).  I am knitting dish cloths for myself, vegetable gardening, trying to come up with a nice looking edible landscape for my front yard, self employed (a cleaning business), manager for my son's competitive soccer team.  Both my children play soccer and hockey.  Don't worry, I know I've missed some, but hey, everyday is a fresh start....
I'll fill you in some more as we travel life together  :)