Coaching is an invaluable experience that everyone should try at least once. Whether you’re coaching your own children or someone else’s, it can help you prepare for parenthood and teach you how to develop patience.
My coaching journey began at 17 when I started as a soccer trainer for Dadjogger’s family. We worked together as trainers, and it was great money for young kids. Despite the long hours and crying kids, we always ended our sessions with lunch at Moe’s, where our obsession began! We coached young elementary-aged children who were just starting to learn the sport, worked as referees for games, and led training sessions. Sundays were our workdays, starting at 7 a.m. and wrapping up around 4 p.m.
I continued coaching at 18 when I started teaching diving during my lifeguarding job in 2007. I coached children aged 8-16, and I absolutely loved it. The job allowed me to spend my summer days outdoors doing something I loved, and I got to spend time with Will (we were dating then but kept it a secret to avoid him being transferred to a different pool). The kids and I had so much fun together, and in my first season, we tied for first place in the championships. I coached the following year as well, but I had to stop at 20 due to a workers’ comp accident while lifting a diving board.
Later, when I started my first teaching job in Uniondale, I took on coaching middle school basketball, volleyball, and lacrosse. This was more challenging since I had never played volleyball or lacrosse, but it was a great learning experience! I became popular as a coach because I earned my CDL, allowing me to drive the bus for the girls to games and practices. I coached throughout the four years I worked as an elementary teacher, enjoying the good after-school pay and having no children to rush home to, except for our puppy Happy (RIP Hap). Coaching middle school was challenging due to the girls’ attitudes and moods, but it prepared me for the patience required as a parent. I loved coaching at this stage of my life because, as a young 24-27-year-old teacher, I could relate more to my students.
My next coaching role was at the high school level, returning to my passion for diving. I started coaching high school diving at 27 and continued even after having children and becoming a stay-at-home mom. The best part was that the job was in the evenings, so I could spend the day with my boys and then head out to coach three nights a week when Will got home. Some of my favorite nights were when Billy and Ben came to watch and sometimes even swim in the winter! This job provided great extra income for our family. Coaching high school diving prepared me for my current role teaching ENL to adults aged 17-80.
Now, my favorite coaching role is being a coach to my children. Although it’s the only coaching I haven’t been paid for, I absolutely love creating memories with them, just as my parents did for me. I’ve coached basketball, t-ball, and swimming—teaching all three boys how to swim in our backyard pool. Dadjogger coaches everything, so I fill in the gaps for sports he can’t be at, as well as those I played as a kid. We love being involved in our kids’ athletics as much as possible, and some years we’ve been able to coach together, which is always fun! Coaching my kids brings me so much joy; watching them play, make friends, improve in sports, and have fun makes me feel complete as a mom. So far, I’ve coached Billy and Ben in basketball, t-ball, and swimming, and Charlie in t-ball and swimming. Coaching will always be a part of my life. I plan to continue coaching many sports for my kids in the future and stay involved in as many activities as possible. My focus is on keeping kids motivated in sports, ensuring they enjoy themselves and have fun. While winning is nice, it’s not my top priority. Sports teach you so much about yourself, and I love watching kids develop over the course of a season.
