Every once in a while, I come up with an idea that is so good that it forces me out of my comfort zone, which is quite cozy and small, and requires me to act.
So what is this latest glimmer of brilliance? Soccer! Here's the story:
Regina and Elizabeth wanted to play soccer. They have been asking for years. Clare wasn't asking but I was sure she would want to get in on the action, too. The county rec league wouldn't let the older two play together even though they are about the same size and both new to the sport. Since, Katherine and Timmy are playing baseball on different teams, with Daddy coaching each of them, that meant I would have four kids, if Clare didn't play, on four teams. There was just no way as I am not willing to drop my younger ones at a field with a bunch of strangers.
Yet, I didn't seem fair. The older three kids have played baseball from early on and never been told no. I know other large families limit activities and this is reasonable but if the older kids take off a season, they won't be able to compete next season. Making the girls continue to wait wouldn't work either.
Then I got the idea. What if we got some homeschooling families together to form our own soccer program? I sent out emails, and held a meeting. I applied for a permit and researched equipment costs. And much to my surprise, it all fell together beautifully! I have to admit that as the first practice approached, I was wishing I had just signed them up for rec league, I was so worried about how it would turn out. Then the first practice was rained out. The second practice was almost rained out and I waited all morning wondering if I should cancel again. We decided to press on and it started raining on the way to the field! It stopped, though, and we finally took the field!
We have over forty kids and have been blessed with a wonderful coach, Coach Jonny, one of the dads who is able to be there for each practice. He is so great with the kids and wonderfully patient, especially in light of the fact that most of the kids have no clue what they are doing. But after only four practices, they are starting to look like they are really playing soccer. :-) We have two other moms who help coach so even the youngest kids get out their with their soccer balls and play.
At the beginning of this, my one desire was that my girls would "Feel like they were playing soccer"! I really had no idea it would be this great! Watching four of my kids playing together on the same team, having a blast, is worth every minute of worry and stress. My comfort zone may even have widened, just a bit.