Kids in Little League?

[HelpMeFriend]

How do you save at the game? What food do you take, when some kids are playing at different times?
Who knows of an easy wagon to drag all our stuff over hills and mountains? I am thinking about being the team mom and will need some tips on how to save there too!
Please, help me friend

[jIM_Ohio]

I used to coach soccer and will return to the field once my kids are in school or a little older.

Some sports starting young is the only way to be successful. If you brought me a 6th grader which never played soccer, they can have a good time playing, but they would have to work hard to make their high school team. Tougher for girls than boys in this regard IMO.

If its football (pointy ball as us soccer coaches call it) waiting to join does little harm. Other sports like Tennis and Soccer and Gymnastics would require participants be exposed at a young age.

The most important criteria in choosing any of the above is what adult(s) are in charge, and what are their motives?

[moneybags]

Soccer Mom is my main job (not just soccer, but other activities). I voted for getting them in early to get skills, but I would have also chosen let them decide. I exposed my kids to many different activities at a young age. It allowed them to see what they liked before things got too competitive. If they didn't like an activity, I wouldn't force them to continue. In terms of saving money, have dinners ready to go - crockpot or cold meals work for this. This works well if kids are on different schedules or you're running home to eat after a late game. Bring snacks for siblings that have to attend games or even pack their dinner depending on the time. I have no problem buying boxes of M&M or Skittles bags from Sams/Costco and bringing a bag to the game. Concession stands can drain your wallet.

[HelpMeFriend]

I am so sorry that the poll took the place of my question. I wanted to know about saving money while playing baseball this season. I have my children in sports. That wasn't the question I wanted answered by replies, but the answer was checkable.
Thanks so much, Speedy!

[jIM_Ohio]

Saving while transporting kids around. best thing is to plan well.

I understood many of the families I coached were running from one event to the other "all weekend", some of what you need to do is enforce moderation on the kids (play only one sport at a time) - that is easier for boys than girls- make sure you have good snacks (fruit juices, granola, high carbs, low salt) for the kids in the car. On the weekends prepare meals you can heat up fast at home- for example prepare 2-3 dishes which can be dinner 2 nights each.

If your son is on more than baseball team, why? focus on one team and deal with that issue (I knew of kids playing on 2-3 sports teams at same time, and eventually even a 12 yo body wears out). If the meals are an issue because of 2 kids, then focus on the schedules... giving kids structure should help them deal with life as well. Structure meaning make sure they eat before practice, then eat dinner afterwards.

**Health note- for adults, it is important to eat within 120 minutes of physical activity, or you risk being sluggish the next day if you exert yourself. More than likely this is true for kids as well, I always suggested to my parents to get kids food within 2 hours of when the game was done.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

I would just bring something as totable and dishes-free as sandwiches and fruit if they need a meal.

I do not know what it means to be the team mom, but it sounds like responsibility that could mean spending extra money at times. Is it a paid position? Do you get a mileage stipend? Will you be transporting other people's kids? Team equipment? If something goes missing, would you personally have to replace it? Will you have to wait on parents to come pick up their kids after the game, so that your own family life is more at other's mercy? Will you have to sometimes leave work early or have to stay late one day in order to take off early the next? Big involvement in a kid's group can take a lot of time and effort that other parents might seem to take for granted (even if in reality they are very appreciative.). I hope it would not cost you money that you cannot afford; that would be a bad deal.

This may seem overly simple, but I would save money at the games by not spending money at the games. I never got to play organized sports as a child (really, really wanted to), but I went to others' games. If I remember correctly, kids on the teams just drank water and had a snow cone at the end of the game. But that was in a different generation. I see now kids come with sports drinks or water in large personal thermoses and eat chips, granola bars, and other store-wrapped stuff while they are on the sidelines. If your kids want to eat chips, you could substitute popcorn popped at home and put in paper bags for the game. If you use the real stuff (microwave popcorn is not what I mean) you could save a bundle using popcorn as compared to purchased chips.

[moneybags]

Originally Posted by Joan.of.the.Arch

I see now kids come with sports drinks or water in large personal thermoses and eat chips, granola bars, and other store-wrapped stuff while they are on the sidelines. If your kids want to eat chips, you could substitute popcorn popped at home and put in paper bags for the game. If you use the real stuff (microwave popcorn is not what I mean) you could save a bundle using popcorn as compared to purchased chips.

Water in a re-usable bottle is best! IMO, kids that are playing the game should not be snacking during the game.

[cschin4]

First, just have fun. Don't obsess over a few bucks here and there and the real fun that you will be enjoying with your kids. You can get inexpenxise snacks, drinkis, etc. And, let the kids help you carry the stuff.

[cschin4]

I do not know what it means to be the team mom, but it sounds like responsibility that could mean spending extra money at times. Is it a paid position? Do you get a mileage stipend? Will you be transporting other people's kids? Team equipment? If something goes missing, would you personally have to replace it? Will you have to wait on parents to come pick up their kids after the game, so that your own family life is more at other's mercy? Will you have to sometimes leave work early or have to stay late one day in order to take off early the next? Big involvement in a kid's group can take a lot of time and effort that other parents might seem to take for granted (even if in reality they are very appreciative.). I hope it would not cost you money that you cannot afford; that would be a bad deal

[cschin4]

I do not know what it means to be the team mom, but it sounds like responsibility that could mean spending extra money at times. Is it a paid position? Do you get a mileage stipend? Will you be transporting other people's kids? Team equipment? If something goes missing, would you personally have to replace it? Will you have to wait on parents to come pick up their kids after the game, so that your own family life is more at other's mercy? Will you have to sometimes leave work early or have to stay late one day in order to take off early the next? Big involvement in a kid's group can take a lot of time and effort that other parents might seem to take for granted (even if in reality they are very appreciative.). I hope it would not cost you money that you cannot afford; that would be a bad deal


No, it isn't a "bad deal". DOn't look at this in those terms or in losing/making money or being a "deal'. You are doing it for your kid. It is an activity you can have fun at enjoying together. So, I drove some other kids around. So, I spent some money and bought them some food. So, it took some time . Anything worth doing in life often takes some time and money.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

No, it isn't a "bad deal". DOn't look at this in those terms or in losing/making money or being a "deal'. You are doing it for your kid. It is an activity you can have fun at enjoying together. So, I drove some other kids around. So, I spent some money and bought them some food. So, it took some time . Anything worth doing in life often takes some time and money.[/quote]

I'm responding to HelpMefriend in her specific situation, which I recalled from a previous thread....There are sometimes things that families unfortunately cannot afford to do, even if they are wholesome, valuable, healthy things that everyone else around them seem to be able to afford. Getting stuck having to spend money that she cannot afford would be a bad deal, just as it would be for you or me. I do not know the situation well enough to know is a high probability, but it is a possibility. I think HMF needs to know what she could be getting into. If she looking for tips to save in doing this job then that tells me she expects to spend doing this team mom job. Will she be spending to cover what other parents should be covering? Can she afford that?