Take it from an experienced Team Mom: There are some pro tips and tricks of the trade that will help you get through the season with the information and extra “stuff” you need to survive.
PRO TIP: OVER COMMUNICATE
Communicate. Then communicate again. Then communicate the same thing in several different ways (a post in your group chat, an email, an in-person meeting, etc.) You’re not being a bother. Some people didn’t see it the first time.
See my tips for how to communicate effectively with your team parents
PRO TIP: EXTRA SPENDING FROM PARENTS
It’s always fun to do something a little extra for the athletes and coaches throughout the season: holiday gifts, good luck tokens, and end of season gifts. It’s easy to unintentionally make parents feel like they’re being nickeled and dimed. Rather than asking for $10 at every turn, consider asking for one donation up front, and give them a range. For example, calculate the estimated cost of what gifts will be for the whole year. If that number is $35, ask your parents for a range of $30 to $40.
Asking for money can be awkward, I know.
Here’s some sample language you can use when asking your cheer parents for extra cash:
Dear parents – throughout the season we would like to help make our athletes and coaches feel loved and appreciated through small gifts. We will give gifts “x number of” times this season, and we estimate that the cost for all of these combined will be around $35.
Contributing toward gifts is never mandatory, and we never want anyone to feel pressured into this. We know that every family’s situation is different!
Please consider contributing $30-$40 or whatever you’re willing to give.
PRO TIP: MAKE SURE EVERY ATHLETE GETS THE “EXTRA THING”
Always account for one or two athletes from your team who will not be able to contribute additional money for the things listed above. You never want families to feel forced to contribute toward extra things. We also don’t want the burden to fall on you as the Team Mom to spend extra cash.
PRO TIP: PACK A COMPETITION DAY SURVIVAL KIT
At the beginning of the season, pack a bag of supplies you might need on competition day. It will definitely come in handy, and you’ll be the hero!
Need some ideas? I made a checklist that might help you!
PRO TIP: TAKE CARE OF YOUR COACHES
When it’s a busy cheer weekend and you know your coach has been at the gym for hours and hours, offer to bring them Starbucks. On competition days coaches are usually there for 14-16 hours or more. Offer to bring them food on your way in.
PRO TIP: KNOW WHO YOUR HELPERS ARE…AND THEN DELEGATE!
There’s always at least one crafty mom that will help you make gifts on a budget. There’s always the hospitable mom who will organize and host team bonding events. There’s always a mom who’s a rockstar with hair and makeup. And there is always the mom who will make sure you have a Starbucks, too.
PRO TIP: HAVE PARENT ONLY BONDING EVENTS
Do this while your kids are at practice and you can have adult time, getting to know one another. It doesn’t have to be fancy: get together for happy hour, go bowling; some of my favorite parent bonding time has just been in the lobby of the hotel where we’re staying during a travel weekend!
PRO TIP: SEE AND HEAR
The most valuable gift you can give your team parents is to let them know they’re seen and heard. It doesn’t mean that you have to agree with them or argue with them. Sometimes all a person needs is to be heard and you can be the one who gives an ear and a hug. It goes a long way.
PRO TIP: ONE PARENT TAKES THE VIDEO
Delegate ONE PARENT to take video for your team on competition day. Ideally, this should be a parent who is not on your team. This way, they can take the video from a better vantage point, and all the team parents can be present for their athlete and cheer the team on.
PRO TIP: BE PROACTIVE WITH YOUR DEADLINES
…and by “proactive,” I mean lie. I’m a huge fan of honesty (literally to a fault), but when it comes to some things, like waivers that are due for a competition, I ALWAYS tell parents it’s due at least a few days before I actually have to turn it in. This gives you a little cushion for the parents who miss the deadline and keeps you from having to scramble.
This one’s a dirty little secret, so don’t tell….Team Mom code, you know?
