Staying Connected as a Family During Football Season

Written by Ashley Hover

It can be hard to stay connected as a family during football season, especially when you feel like you are just surviving. Your husband is at practice or on the road coaching most days of the week, and you’re at home trying to manage all the household responsibilities, your children, and your work obligations. Your good intentions at the beginning of the season are starting to fade as everyone gets worn out. Family nights? Haven’t happened in weeks. Staying organized? You're just taking it day by day right now.

Even if you neglect schedules, let responsibilities go, and feel overwhelmed most days, it’s so critical to stay connected as a family during football season. This provides continuity to your kids and supports the connections you’re craving during this busy season of life.

Here are some other tips to help with Priorities and Schedules During Football Season.

Ideas on Staying Connected During Football Season

While time is limited during these hectic months, it’s so important to prioritize your family above everything else. Here are a few different ideas to help you stay connected during this busy season of life:

• Learn to love the sport too. While this can be difficult if sports aren't your thing, it really is worth it and makes it much more enjoyable. It will also help you and your spouse connect over his passion. Get the kids involved at the games and make it a family affair! You can even dress the kids in matching t-shirts to support their dad at the game.
• Turn off the TV. It can be tempting to use the TV as a bonding activity, but it can take all our attention and time. Make some nights "no TV nights" without TV or screen time (especially when your spouse doesn't have football obligations in the evening!) or decide that you aren't turning on the TV until a specific time every night.
• Take turns doing one-on-one “dates” with each child. It doesn't have to be anything significant - going on a walk, picking up a hot chocolate together, or playing a sport together. Regardless of what you decide to do, make sure each child has one-on-one quality time with mom and dad, and let them choose the activity! It's the quality - not quantity - of time that matters most.
• Find special things to do as a family during the season. Time together during the season is precious - take any opportunity to do unique things or make traditions when you are all together. Having things to look forward to each week can help, whether big or small. Kids appreciate routines and traditions, and this will give them something to look forward to during the week!

• Go on family walks together. Get everyone out of the house, away from distractions, and focus on spending time together. Without all the electronics and other interruptions, it forces everyone to talk to each other and spend quality time as a family. Let the kids bring bikes or scooters, and also use this as a time during the week to reconnect with your spouse. 
• Play games together as a family. This may or may not be your thing, but board games are an excellent way for everyone to get rid of other distractions and participate in the game. Let your kids take turns picking the board game. No promises that you won’t end up having to prevent World War III by the end of the game!
• Try and have a family meal together as often as possible. Sitting around the table for dinner is one of the easiest and best ways to spend quality time as a family and stay connected during the season. Make sure to keep the table cellphone free so you can focus on quality conversations and discussions. It allows your kids to share what’s been going on in their lives. Even if you can only manage this once a week, it’s still worth it!
• Give yourself grace. The house doesn't need to be picked up 24/7, the dishes and laundry can wait, and you can let the schedule slide for a day or two. It’s more important to prioritize family time and stay connected during football season.
• Let others help. If help is offered, take it. If you can afford it, hire help. Enlist your family/children to help your around the house. What chores can you do together as a family? You don’t have to do everything yourself! Reserve some of that time and energy for family time. 

Reminder: At the end of the day, your kids won’t remember the chores you do, BUT they will remember the time you spent together as a family.

At the end of the day, any extra time together is better than nothing at all. Understand that this is a busy season of life, and spending time together every day might be challenging. But do the best you can - your kids will recognize the effort and remember these small moments for years to come. It isn't about the quantity of time together, but the quality of that time together!

Here are some ways to Entertain Kids at Football Games when your spouse is coaching
too.

Let us know in the comments how you stay connected as a family during football season!