Huddle Up HQ

If you’ve ever tried to plan meals around a sports schedule, you know—it’s no joke! I’ve been in both roles: the working mom and the stay-at-home mom (although, let’s be honest, running a few youth organizations felt like full-time jobs). Either way, the challenges remain the same. And don’t even get me started on the "I don’t want that" complaints. Meal prep? Ha! You mean the Sunday when I’m supposed to be at two different fields in two different towns while also magically roasting chicken and chopping veggies? Let me just summon my inner Martha Stewart—oh wait, she’s at the game too. What does work for me, though, is semi-meal prepping —not the whole “spend six hours cooking on Sunday” thing, but batch cooking with a game plan . Game Plan: The Power of Bulk Cooking Instead of cooking one pound of ground beef, I cook four pounds at a time . Why? Because I can spread the wealth throughout the week: Monday: Tacos or nachos Tuesday: Sloppy Joes Wednesday: Spaghetti with mea...

  Ahhh, the first week of practice—it's finally here! Whether you're part of a club team, a rec team, or a travel team, kids and parents alike have been counting down the days. Now, here they are, huddled around the field or gym, pretending to be casually engaged in adult conversation while secretly scanning for signs that their child is the next all-star. The pressure is on, my friends. So, how do you make sure this week doesn’t devolve into a chaotic mess of forgotten water bottles, parent meltdowns, and kids who suddenly "don't feel like playing anymore"? Step one: Hold a parent meeting. Trust me, this will save you a world of headaches later. I've handled this a few different ways. One option is to ask parents to meet me at the field or gym about 30 minutes before practice ends. Simple, quick, and straight to the point. But if you’re working with a younger team or a group of fresh-faced rookies, a "meet and greet" works wonders. This gets parents...

It’s that time again—time to send out your Welcome Letter to your team families! Whether they’re returning for another season or brand new to the squad, this letter sets the tone for what’s ahead. A well-crafted welcome letter helps create a sense of organization, eases any first-day nerves, and ensures everyone is on the same page before the season kicks off. Who Sends the Letter? This can vary depending on your team’s dynamic. Some coaches prefer to handle all communication, while others rely on the team mom (that’s you!) to follow up with the details. In our case, our coach would send out an initial message, and I would follow up with a more detailed letter covering everything parents need to know. Just like your Welcome Meeting , this letter reassures families that the season is well-organized and sets expectations upfront. What to Include in Your Welcome Letter 1. Introduction & Contact Info Start by introducing yourself and your role with the team. Let parents know the...

  If you’ve ever stepped into the role of a team mom, you’ve probably asked yourself at least once: Why do we do this? Why do we take on the chaos of organizing schedules, tracking down missing jerseys, coordinating snacks, and making sure a group of kids (who are not all ours) have everything they need to succeed? For some, maybe it’s about control—you know the ultra Type A mom who wants to dictate every detail of the team? That’s not me. Sure, I have my moments (who doesn’t?), but that’s never been my reason. For me, being a team parent has always been about something bigger. It’s about making sure my kids—and all the kids—have the best experience possible. I want them to look back on these years not just as a time they worked hard and played the game but as a time when they were part of something special. A team that felt like family. A place where they belonged. Now, don’t get me wrong—I’m not about participation trophies or ice cream after a crushing loss. Hard work matter...

 So, you’ve got the roster. You’ve got jersey numbers. You’ve got sizes. Now what? Welcome to the organized chaos of team mom life! Whether it’s your first season or your tenth, getting things in order now will save you major headaches later. Let’s break it down. 1. Create a Master List First things first, get all your info in one place. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, a notebook, or a team management app, make sure you have an easy-to-read list with: ✅ Player names ✅ Jersey numbers ✅ Sizes (jerseys, shorts, warm-ups, etc.) ✅ Parent contact info ✅ Any special notes (allergies, carpool buddies, etc.) 2. Double-Check Everything Before the jerseys are printed, double-check names, numbers, and sizes. A quick text or email to parents confirming details can save you from game day disasters. 3. Order & Organize If you're in charge of uniforms, place orders early! When they arrive, label everything before handing them out. Pro tip: Keep extra safety pins and a roll of tape for last-minute ...

  So, you’ve been crowned “Team Mom.” First of all—congrats! Whether you volunteered or were “voluntold,” this role is an honor (and yes, a little bit of chaos). But don’t worry—you’ve got this. How I Got Started I know exactly what it’s like to be thrown into this role. My journey began with t-ball , when my husband volunteered to coach. Neither of us came from a baseball family, so it was all very new. Of course, I was voluntold to be Team Mom—back then, it was simple: snacks, a few minor details, nothing too overwhelming. But sports have a way of pulling you in. By year two, we had two kids in t-ball and wrestling and a baby in tow. By year three, I was deep into wrestling—tracking scores, helping wherever needed. Baseball didn’t stick, but wrestling did. Before long, we were running the program. Then came tackle football , where a lack of volunteers meant we were suddenly in charge of a full team of 9-year-olds. Fast forward to today, and we’ve built two premier programs i...

Look, anyone can walk into a room and just match the vibe —that’s easy. But real ones? They set the vibe. A thermometer just reacts. If the energy is low, they’re low. If the team’s frustrated, they’re frustrated. Meh. 😴 A thermostat walks in and CHANGES the temperature. They bring the hype, the hustle, and the “we got this” attitude— whether they’re the star player or not. So, are you just reading the room or are you running the room? Choose wisely. 😏