Sailor Finishes Her First (and last) Soccer Season

A Lesson in Perseverance

Well, folks, she did it! My little one, Sailor, has officially finished her first soccer season. And let me tell you, it wasn’t easy. In fact, it was a rollercoaster ride full of mixed emotions, self-doubt, and a whole lot of wavering determination. But she did it. And I couldn't be prouder of her for sticking it out.

The Struggles of Being the "Little One"

Sailor is 5 years old, and, as you can imagine, she’s a bit on the shorter side compared to her teammates that are 6 and 7. Because of her birthday timing, she was placed in a league with girls who were up to two grades ahead of her. Talk about being the “youngest” and the “smallest” on the field! Her teammates were all seasoned players, many of whom were in their second or even third seasons of soccer. They knew the game, they had the stamina, and most of them were a bit more aggressive than Sailor.

From the very first game, it was clear that soccer wasn’t exactly her thing. She struggled to keep up, didn’t quite understand the rules, and preferred chatting up her teammates- or even her opponents. She dreaded every game. I could see the apprehension in her eyes when it was time to go to practice or head to a match. Her little heart wasn’t in it, and it was heartbreaking to watch keeping trying, but not really love what she was doing.

A Lesson in Following Through

As a parent, this was a tough one for me. I wanted to respect her feelings and let her bow out if it wasn’t something she enjoyed. But, I also wanted to teach her a valuable lesson. I told Sailor that she didn’t have to play soccer again next year, but she had to finish this season. I explained that sometimes in life, you have to follow through, even when things are tough. I wanted her to learn the importance of commitment and perseverance, even if it didn’t feel like “fun” right now.

And so, despite every game feeling like a struggle, Sailor kept going. Even though she was often the slowest on the field, she showed up and fought through the discomfort. She finished the season.

Support from Her Team

What made this experience more bearable for Sailor was the support from her teammates and coach. They were all so kind and encouraging, cheering her on, offering high-fives, and reminding her that it was okay not to be the fastest or the strongest — what mattered was that she was trying her best. Her coach was amazing, always keeping things lighthearted, fun, and focused on the team’s spirit rather than just winning or scoring goals.

On to New Adventures

Soccer might not be her thing, but we’ll figure out what is! We’ve already signed her up forcheerleading, which I think will be a much better fit for her personality. She’s always been a natural performer, and I have a feeling cheer will be more her speed. But no matter what the future holds, I know this season taught her a lesson she’ll carry with her for years to come: Don’t give up, even when it’s tough.

So, here's to Sailor — my brave, strong girl who proved to me that sometimes the real victory is simply showing up, giving your best, and seeing things through to the end.

#ProudMom #FirstSoccerSeason #Perseverance #LessonLearned