And So It Ends...

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My daughter is graduating from High School. She just finished playing State Cup and played in the GPS Showcase this weekend. Those were likely the last competitive soccer games she'll ever play. After 10+ years of driving from field to field, smelly cleats and shin guards, club drama, highs and lows of winning and losing, it's over.

And it feels strange. How did you deal with the end?

[Unregistered]

My daughter is graduating from High School. She just finished playing State Cup and played in the GPS Showcase this weekend. Those were likely the last competitive soccer games she'll ever play. After 10+ years of driving from field to field, smelly cleats and shin guards, club drama, highs and lows of winning and losing, it's over.

And it feels strange. How did you deal with the end?

The intramural basketball I played in college was almost the most fun playing I ever had, next to the 15 years of playing after that.

It ends for you, not her. If she loves the game, she'll keep playing. You can feel good about helping make that happen in her.

[Unregistered]

My daughter is graduating from High School. She just finished playing State Cup and played in the GPS Showcase this weekend. Those were likely the last competitive soccer games she'll ever play. After 10+ years of driving from field to field, smelly cleats and shin guards, club drama, highs and lows of winning and losing, it's over.

And it feels strange. How did you deal with the end?

Drank wine and had another kid!

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Are you looking for sympathy on TS? Good luck....

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Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened. :)

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Don't cry because its over, smile because it happened. :)

I love this

[Unregistered]

My daughter is graduating from High School. She just finished playing State Cup and played in the GPS Showcase this weekend. Those were likely the last competitive soccer games she'll ever play. After 10+ years of driving from field to field, smelly cleats and shin guards, club drama, highs and lows of winning and losing, it's over.

And it feels strange. How did you deal with the end?

You'll be surprised how quickly you adjust to life without soccer. All the things you wanted to get done but couldn't because you didn't have the time (and sometimes the money) because of soccer can now get done. You can also think of doing a little traveling for you instead of your kid.

[Unregistered]

My daughter is graduating from High School. She just finished playing State Cup and played in the GPS Showcase this weekend. Those were likely the last competitive soccer games she'll ever play. After 10+ years of driving from field to field, smelly cleats and shin guards, club drama, highs and lows of winning and losing, it's over.

And it feels strange. How did you deal with the end?

Wait and cheer for the grandkids. No seriously, as one poster said, it may be over for you, but if she was a competitive kid, she will likely play some intramural sport in college or adult league. It is bittersweet though. I just drove my daughter to her last club practice last week. She will go on to play college, but mommy wll no longer drive. Gonna miss that.
Funny story. During a HS game that was being taped by MSG Varsity (NY), I met a man watching the game and he was the announcer's dad. He told me he used to watch her play the game, and now he watches her cover the game. I guess you never really stop watching.

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I know several players, now coaching, whose parents still go to the games their offspring coach and rarely miss a game.

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She definitely loves to play. Certainly made the most of her talents. But her college program is about as demanding as it gets, so I don't think she'll even try to play club. She'll run and exercise, and maybe in about 10 years think about going back.

The intramural basketball I played in college was almost the most fun playing I ever had, next to the 15 years of playing after that.

It ends for you, not her. If she loves the game, she'll keep playing. You can feel good about helping make that happen in her.

[Unregistered]

This is a great thread. I have a U11 girl, and this game is a huge part of our lives. An old ethnic soccer player, I started kicking balls her way as soon as she could walk. The two of us spend time talking in the car, we have weekends in hotels and dinners in restaurants all over the tri-state area (we're from Ct) and it's been a total bonding experience for a dad and his only daughter. I've sometimes wondered what it will be like when it all comes to a halt, but I guess life will go on. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, it's been cathartic.

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I'll certainly do the first, but the second isn't going to happen. I love her dearly, but can't imagine going through it again.

Drank wine and had another kid!

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thanks for sharing the story.

Agreed on not driving any more. For the last couple of years, the car rides were the time where we could actually talk. Most days, the teen attitude went away and we could be together without pushing each others buttons.

Wait and cheer for the grandkids. No seriously, as one poster said, it may be over for you, but if she was a competitive kid, she will likely play some intramural sport in college or adult league. It is bittersweet though. I just drove my daughter to her last club practice last week. She will go on to play college, but mommy wll no longer drive. Gonna miss that.
Funny story. During a HS game that was being taped by MSG Varsity (NY), I met a man watching the game and he was the announcer's dad. He told me he used to watch her play the game, and now he watches her cover the game. I guess you never really stop watching.

[Unregistered]

This is the best thread in this forum;

I would imagine try to enjoy your weekends and be ready for your grand kids!!

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Enjoy every minute of it. I can tell you I've forgotten the names of the hotels and crappy restaurants and all, but remember the times we had together. Wouldn't trade them for the world.

There's another thread on here about "would you do it again". My answer - I'd do anything again that helped me teach my daughter the value of teamwork and effort, that no matter what you do, things don't always go your way.

That you have to get up and try again, because you'll certainly get knocked down.

That sometimes you are the best player on the team and you have to lead from the front.
And sometimes you are the worst player on the team and you can lead from the back.

That the relationships you develop over 10 years of doing something you love are much more important that the number of goals you scored or the number of goals you didn't score.

That coaches (and parents) are sometimes right and sometimes wrong. It might be hard to tell, you can listen to everyone, but you've got to make your own decisions on what's right and what's best for you.

And that no matter what the won / loss record was, there was always ice cream at the end of the tournament.

This is a great thread. I have a U11 girl, and this game is a huge part of our lives. An old ethnic soccer player, I started kicking balls her way as soon as she could walk. The two of us spend time talking in the car, we have weekends in hotels and dinners in restaurants all over the tri-state area (we're from Ct) and it's been a total bonding experience for a dad and his only daughter. I've sometimes wondered what it will be like when it all comes to a halt, but I guess life will go on. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, it's been cathartic.