Yep, hockey season is in full swing! Whether your children are playing house league, or competitive hockey, they’re no denying that being a hockey parent is a busy job.
Between driving your little hockey player to practices and games, organizing fundraisers, and maintaining equipment, there are some things to know when you’re a hockey parent. Like how expensive it can be… the higher level your child plays, the more expensive it will be. From several hundred dollars in house league, to thousands of dollars in competitive, hockey isn’t a cheap sport! Hockey tryouts are a whole other story!
But the rewards are tremendous. The team camaraderie is infectious, and seeing your little one’s determination on the ice is priceless.
Things to Know When You’re a Hockey Parent
Smart Scheduling
If your child is playing house league, be prepared for 7:00 a.m. weekend games. Make sure your child goes to bed early enough so you have no trouble waking them up! Go to the rink with coffee in hand.
If your child plays competitive hockey, scheduling is crucial. With two boys playing rep, I have two schedules on my cell phone and I still managed to miss two practices so far this season! Tip? Print out your kids’ schedules and post in the kitchen so they can also check to see when they have games and practices.
Hockey is a religion
For some… it is. Some parents live and breathe hockey, so be prepared to meet parents who will yell at refs, bang on the glass, and get super loud and crazy.
All kids are superstars
Please don’t put your child on a pedestal and think he/she is the superstar of the team. Of course we all think our kids are the best! We’re their parents, after all! A parent can’t objectively evaluate their own child’s performance most of the time. Some parents may be disillusioned about their children’s level of skill, and unfortunately, that’s detrimental to their game.
Don’t be that parent who is trying to live through their child’s successes in order to feel good about themselves. Remember that this is your child’s turn now, and no matter what level, it’s his/her experience, not yours.
Don’t be a trouble-maker
Don’t be that parent who complains to the coaches about their kid not having enough ice time! And don’t be the parent who complains to other parents about the coaching! The last thing you want to do is get a reputation as the “trouble maker hockey parent.”
Hockey gives parents a social life
If you weren’t very sociable before joining hockey, you’re in luck! You will get to know your fellow hockey parents more than you ever imagined. Spending hours every week together means you’re creating new friendships. But wait until hockey tournaments to really get to know them! If you’re lucky enough to have a great group of kids and parents, you’ll soon realize you have a “hockey family.”
Remember it’s a game
Playing youth sports for kids is as a social experience as it is a competition. The kids want to win, of course! But what they truly want is simple – to play hockey and have fun! That’s what it all comes down to in their eyes – not the politics or how many goals they scored. While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the game, parents often need this reminder.
Be positive and supportive
How you deal with the hockey team, the coaches and your child’s performance will leave lasting impressions on your kids, and they will see how you react to the process. If you’re anxious and stressed, your children will feel the same. If you’re positive and focus on trying your best and having fun, your child will echo that sentiment.
Try not to compare your child’s performance to that of his or her teammates, especially in front of the child! It can cause a negative effect on your child’s confidence.
While parents may thing they’re doing a favour by critiquing their child from the stands, or in the car on the way home, leave the criticism to the coaches. Your job as a parent is to tell them to put their full effort into the game, and offer positive feedback. Tell them how proud you are of them – no matter what the outcome.
Your kids’ equipment will stink
It’s always surprising how such a big smell can come from a small kid! Hockey equipment is bound to collect sweat when your kid is skating their heart off on the ice so make sure you stop odors before they start. First, air out all equipment after each use. We have a handy hockey drying rack for the kids to hang their equipment on to air dry. Do not – I repeat, do not – leave everything in a zipped up hockey bag!
Second, regularly wash items that can be machine washed, like jerseys, socks, neck guards and… jocks. Ew. Use a detergent that’s up to the challenge such as OxiCleanTM HD Liquid Laundry Detergent and Arm & HammerTM Plus OxiCleanTM Cold Water Power Paks – they are my go-to favourites!
Giveaway
To help ensure you’re ready, we’re giving away some great hockey season essentials for at home and on the road games:
- OxiCleanTM HD Liquid Laundry Detergent
- Arm & HammerTM Plus OxiCleanTM Cold Water Power Paks
- Arm & HammerTM Baking Soda
- Arm & HammerTM SpinbrushTM battery powered toothbrush The Ultimate Spider-Man TM
- OrajelTM Spider-ManTM Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste
- Total Value: Approx. $35
Use the Rafflecopter below to enter! Open to Canada only. Giveaway ends November 13, 2016 at 11:59 p.m. Good luck!
46 Comments
My kids don’t play hockey but my little nephew did. He loved when his uncles (both very good hockey players) would show up and tie his skates for him and bring him hot chocolate for after the game.
my kids love hockey
My son and daughter play soccer, they love the running and kicking of the ball.
She’s not old enough yet for hockey, but she loves to skate!
My son loves playing hockey!
My son has been playing hockey from age 5 to 17!
no hockey here. swimming and judo.
My son started playing hockey this year and he’s loving it!
My kids don’t play hockey. My boys both do Marksmanship and the oldest also does biathlon.
my kids play street hockey, their in Karate and love it
when my kids were young they loved to play hockey
My kids play pond hockey with friends but are not in official leagues. They are in lacrosse, volleyball, track and swimming
My oldest enjoys playing hockey!
My son played hockey for about 9 years.My grandchilden enjoy running, swimming and volleyball.
my kids are still too young
My girls are not too keen on it :).
They take swimming lessons.
he has never been big on hockey
baseball is his sport
My son has been playing hockey since he was 4,and hes now 17,in his last year of minor hockey! He also plays ball hockey!
My niece doesn’t play hockey, but she is in gymnastics and loves it!
My kids don’t play hockey, but they both enjoy soccer, and the teamwork!
No my kids don’t play hockey. The love watching hockey tho.
I don’t have kids but as as child I enjoy track and field, especially the high jump.
my niece enjoys roller skating and archery
My kids don’t play hockey but they enjoy soccer, volleyball and archery because they are interested in these sports.
My son is too little to play hockey yet but he has been learning to skate.
They like to skate
My kids don’t play hockey, but they go for karate.
They don’t play hockey
We don’t play hockey. My children are still too young for organized sports but we play tag a lot.
My daughter is a soccer kid…she loves running.
My son loves karate!
My son plays football. He always has. he has tried other sports before but always goes back to football.
The boys play soccer and the girls dance – no hockey here. They picked what they love.
Soccer because you can play it anywhere.
they are more into soccer because they like being outside
One of my daughter’s plays Rugby. I have a neice who plays hockey and another who plays baseball.
I have 3 kids in hockey and we spend every day at an arena. Love it!
Not in hockey but very involved in karate and swimming.
My girls don’t play hockey but they do figure skate. They are just entering the competitive level and from what I hear the parents can be just as aggressive as in the hockey world at this level.
Yes! We are in Novice now 🙂
They like soccer because they love running around!
They love swimming!
I don’t have kids yet, but my nephew plays hockey and I hope my kids will be interested in sports.
Not yet, but my son loves swimming right now!
Not yet. Soccer and swimming for now.