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I thought it would be difficult to decide where to begin recapping the last few months, but after looking back at our calendar—and ahead at what’s to come—it only made sense to start with soccer.

Our seasons of soccer.

Boy1 and Boy2 have been playing soccer at the YMCA for the past three years, and in April they likely played their last game on those familiar fields. It truly felt like the end of an era.

We were incredibly blessed to have the same coach, Coach Dave, for all eight seasons. Together, the boys played as Jack-o-lanterns, Hot Dogs, Yellow Jackets, Dolphins, Crushers (undefeated, woot woot!), Gators, Wolves, and Blaze. They grew up in this soccer program, made friendships I hope will last for years, and learned so much more than just how to play the game.

There was something special about Coach Dave. He genuinely cared about every child on the team, and because of that, the team felt like a family. Many of the kids returned season after season, and I think Coach Dave was a big reason why. If he decides to coach another season, it’s possible Boy1 will return, but Boy2 is ready for his next soccer adventure.

Near the end of his final YMCA season, Boy2 told us he wanted to try club soccer. Since it’s a much bigger commitment, we decided to ease into it by enrolling him in a Pre-Junior Academy program. Practices were held twice a week—one training session and one scrimmage—and it turned out to be the perfect introduction.

One of Boy2’s friends from YMCA soccer decided to give club soccer a try, too, so it was nice for him to experience something new alongside a friend. It was equally comforting for me to navigate it with another soccer mom. We were both a little apprehensive about a new club, new coaches, and a new environment, but it couldn’t have gone much better. The club has been incredibly organized, and every coach we’ve met has been wonderful.

As part of the program, we also attended our very first Charleston Battery match. It was such a fun experience! Boy2 even got to participate in the player walkout and was paired with the team’s captain. None of us had ever been to a professional soccer game before, and we had an absolute blast.

At the end of April, Boy2 attended club tryouts and earned a spot on one of the teams!

His summer has been filled with soccer. So far, he’s completed two week-long evening camps: Striker Camp and Speed, Agility, and Quickness (SAQ). He still has another week of SAQ camp and a preseason camp before school starts. Both boys will also attend a weeklong Soccer Shots day camp at the YMCA.

It’s safe to say this has become our Summer of Soccer.

As a special needs parent—and someone who works with children with special needs and their families—I know how easily so much attention can naturally center around the child with additional needs. Not just from parents, but from extended family, friends, and even the community.

Over the years, I’ve seen families who have found a beautiful balance between all of their children, and I’ve seen families who have struggled to do so. When I became a special needs parent, I promised myself I would always strive for that balance. It’s not always easy.

Between homeschooling and therapy appointments, I spend a tremendous amount of one-on-one time with Boy1. Simply because of the number of hours in a day, I can’t spend that same amount of time with Boy2. But there are other ways to show him that he is every bit as important, valued, and celebrated.

Supporting his soccer dreams is one of those ways.

Whether that means sitting through practices in the summer heat, cheering from the sidelines, signing up for another camp, or learning an entirely new world of club soccer, I’m all in. Watching him grow in confidence, work hard, and chase something he loves has been worth every minute.

And one last fun fact…

After years of having boys in youth soccer, I was May-years-old when I finally realized that the “U” in U6, U8, and U10 stands for Under.

Apparently, you really do learn something new every season.

Has your child ever moved from recreational sports to club or travel sports? I’d love to hear what that transition was like for your family—or tell me your favorite youth sports memory!