Q & A with Laura

Sit down with Laura as she answers a few heartfelt questions about life, family and work.

Q: What's been on your heart and mind recently?

A: My 12-year-old son (7th grade) playing tackle football. He is entering his 3rd year of tackle, and he couldn’t love the sport more. He loves his team, his coach, getting “hit” and “hitting” (insert mom grimace here) and the program he is involved in is one of the best in our city. The past two years have been a tackle experience any parent would be on board with. There were not many injuries, the team wasn’t large so all the kids got plenty of playing time, and the players were all form the same few local schools. This year however, there have been some changes to the team. There are several “new” boys on the team, all with significant or arguably exceptional athletic prowess and ability. To be clear, my son is also athletic, and over the course of playing tackle, has made some big plays during games. But this year feels different. At the first practice, my son quickly realized many of these newer boys were faster, taller, and bigger than him. Compounding this situation is puberty, which my son has NOT even begun, and most of the others have certainly begun. His Dad was very late in puberty and it’s probable our son will be similar and not grow until later in high school. So what’s to come of this football season? Will he get hurt? Will he get discouraged? Will he get playing time? I am torn between wanting to protect him but also understanding that he needs to go through it himself and make his own decisions, come what may. Regardless, it will be a year of growth for him as an athlete, and me as a parent.