Game Time Decision
Rowan sandwiched at a basketball tournament.
Deciding to bring Rowan to her sister’s basketball game is often a “game time” decision. It can depend on her mood, or if I’m being honest, our mood. Do we think she is going to be easy or a handful? (Notice I am not using the word “ happy”. She is usually quite happy.) When she’s not though, she’s REALLY not. It’s either happy or “cause a scene”.
What I consider to be a handful may not seem like a big deal to others in the stands, but it’s a lot for us when we are trying to focus on why we are there- to watch and cheer for her sister.
Keep in mind that Rowan is 10 now. We have been navigating basketball games and other sibling sporting events, for a while now. Chris has coached both our now 13 and 9 year old for many seasons. During those leagues, it’s just me with Rowan in the stands, and her dad and sibling on the other side of the court. Oh the longing to be with them! Both of us wish we could run over and join them, ha! Seriously, I sometimes wish I could be the coach, and him the spectator entertaining her.
When she was smaller and the games were more chaotic with babies and toddlers running around the gym, I would bring her in a stroller. As she grew, we would utilize her beast of a medical stroller. I would park her next to the bleachers and have snacks, toys, and ipad ready. Thankfully most people were chasing kids that couldn’t sit through a sibling’s game so it we fit in some. As the kids all got older, she graduated to a portable kids camp chair with side pockets. She was contained in a seat with a seatback, arm rests, and a place for her cup, snack, toy, etc. I highly recommend it for any and all sideline containment. It’s a different experience when we didn’t have the camp chair vs. when we did, as depicted here.
Now that her siblings are older, the games are more intense, and the gym isn’t heavy with toddlers. Because Rowan can walk and these are middle school games, we no longer utilize the camp chair or medical stroller. They can turn a head, not ideal at middle school events. We are sensitive to that, even though her siblings have never batted an eye about it.
Have potty seat, will travel.
During the YEARS of potty training, you would see me courtside, with my enormous potty seat bag. Whenever she indicated that she needed to go, I would have to take her, knowing full well that she wouldn’t go. That’s what you do though when potty training. If they request, you have to call their bluff, even if it means carrying your full grown child, with literal full size toilet seat attachment, down the sideline to the public bathroom, missing your older daughter’s playing time in the game. Add a little brother in tow, and it’s a full on scene, much more interesting than the game. Usually I was sweating when we came back and my husband was clueless as to what just went down, usually because he was coaching.
You might ask: Why did I have a full size toilet seat instead of a travel one. That was part of transitioning her to using more than just the own toilet in her bathroom at home. She used a step ladder potty seat and we only had success with this one seat after trialing countless others. I ordered a second step ladder seat and removed the rails, leaving just the giant cushioned seat. Then I bought one of those big reusable bags they have near the registers at TJ Maxx that snaps closed. So I rocked this look on game days and every other outing. My signature game day gear.
Rowan is potty trained now, thank you Lord! Now our challenge is getting her to sit still, not drop her toys under the bleachers, try not to tap a nearby stranger/spectator incessantly during the game, or something completely new. This game the new thing was a serious case of the giggles, especially during the silence when someone on our team was shooting free throws. The echos of her laughter are contagious but also a wee bit distracting.
Nora had 2 games back to back and we were feeling up to it. Her brother was hanging with cousins, Chris wasn’t the coach, and I felt optimistic about our overall success. We had the ipad and headphones tucked away in case of an emergency, but encouraging her to sit through these games without a screen is the goal.
I let her play DJ in the front seat until the last possible minute when Chris texts that the game is about to start. I brought her in just after the jump ball and we sandwiched her between us. She did really well and it fuels us for the next time. In a lot of ways, this is therapy for her. It gets her out of her comfort zone and that’s where growth happens, for all of us. Making the game time decision to go instead of paying a sitter, dropping her at grandma’s, or one of us staying home with her, only pays off in the long run as she builds her endurance at public outings.
We know our limits though, and reserve the right to continue making game time decisions in any and all circumstances. It’s not a fail if we don’t go for it. It’s just the reality of that day. There will be another game and deciding not to take her is just a decision for that day. Sometimes opting out is best for everyone and sometimes opting IN is ! Whatever you do, bring a naked barbie along. It instantly lightens everyone’s mood.