🏈💍10 Things Every Coach's Wife Wished You'd Understand👰🏼❤️

#1 It's not just a game. It's our livelihood. Our husbands spend an obscene amount of time working during the season. So be supportive and understand losses are hard on us too. I have literally cried after a game knowing how important it was to win that particular one. Our husband's invest so much into every game.....and coaches wives spend A LOT of our time making sure that can be done......by holding everything else together. I'm also not going to miss a single home game because of that (Sorry to all of you with fall weddings👰🏼🍂🍁👎🏼!)

                                                                  

#2 Our loyalty is to the team where we are at. I really don't care about any other score during the season, but my husband's team. He played for the Wisconsin Badgers, and even though I am from Madison originally, I truly only care right now if the Jackrabbits win......ok ok.....maybe the Minnesota Vikings too😉💙🐰💛🏈💜.

                                                                   

#3 It ain't over till it's  over! Nothing drives me more nuts than when people leave early before the game is even over. I don't care how much we are ahead or behind......it's called being supportive and a good fan. Don't even get me started when they leave when the game is close.......are you kidding me🙄?!???

#4 There is no "i" in team. Our husbands work a ridiculous amount of hours during the season, have weeks of recruiting in the winter and spring, camps in June (and some through July), and August training camp. Coaches wives are truly the glue that holds it all together. When I gave birth during football season, I had to deal with recovering from a C-section on my own. Last May, our moving truck unloaded, and my husband left that next morning recruiting. I can literally say I packed and unpacked the entire house by myself.....with four kiddos.We wear many hats as coach's wives 🕵🏼🔨📦📚👮🏻👷🏼💪🏼.

                                                                                    

                                                                       

#5 It can extremely be lonely. Sometimes our only meal together during the season is Thursday night after practice. Recruiting.....that could literally be a whole different blog post🙄.  But during recruiting, in all honestly, weeks can go by without seeing each other. Then there’s moving......saying goodbye to friends and having to start all over again. It's always nice to hear from family or friends! We also greatly appreciate visits.....even better....stay for a game!

#6 Vacation?!?? There is only a small amount of time off for coaches-usually in July. Sometimes we spend our vacation traveling far to see family/friends.  Sometimes a family vacation means him working an out of town football camp....or moving to your next job that summer. It's never easy traveling with kiddos (especially little ones).....but it is still important to get away. Even, if many times, it's worked around something related to 

football 🙄🛣🏈👍🏼.

                                                                     

#7 We can't help geography. Coaches need to go where jobs are.....even if it's not close to home. The luxury of having family members close is something that many coaches do not have. We miss a lot......from help with babysitting (it gets expensive 👶🏼💰) , celebrating special occasions (birthdays, holidays, baptisms, etc), and even those little moments you might take for granted like baseball games, school concerts, science fairs, and baby's first steps⚾️🎺🔬👶🏼.

                                                                               

                                                                                         

#8 We have a football family. Some of my dearest friends are coaches' families.....they just get this crazy life. I get many messages from coaches' wives (some I have only known for just a season) seeing how a move went, how a job search is going when my husband is out of work, or how I am holding up in general. I will always be extremely loyal to their love and support❤️🏈.

                                                                           

#9 Our kiddos didn't choose this life. I chose this life when I married a coach, but please remember our kiddos didn't. We have moved 9 times in 14 years of marriage, but just because we have done it a ridiculous amount of times, it does not make it easy on the kids. They need all the support they can get as they navigate making new friends and being the new kid at school.......even a phone call just to see how the first day of school went goes a long way👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼.

#10 Getting fired is part of the business. Every Saturday, 50% of the teams who play, lose their game. Administrators and fans have much higher expectations however, which leads to good coaches with winning records being fired every year. So while at your job, you may have to commit some major misconduct to be fired, in coaching, firings are very common and they do not carry the same stigma. When your livelihood is linked to the performance of 18-21 year olds.....what could go wrong....right😉🏈?

🚣🏽A football family and experiencing the Cabin life🌲

                                                    Eck family Vacation 2016

Our summer vacation this year was heading to Northern Wisconsin. Some of my fondest memories growing up were from my family's annual week at the cottage each summer. Now, with four babes (kiddos) of my own, I get to share the same kind of experience with them......with an Eck family twist to it.

1. Pack into the vehicle like sardines. I don't know how to pack light with a baby!!! The Pack'n Play, portable high chair, diapers/wipes, multiple outfits for each day, baby blankets, baby's sound machine, and on and on. Plus still fit in the bags for the 5 other family members. If anyone has some tips on how the heck they pack light with a baby....and would like to share.......it would be greatly appreciated👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼🚐💼🎒🙄

2. Speeding ticket......reallllllly!!!!! After a couple hours into the start of our trip.....my husband gets pulled over for speeding. It wouldn't be an Eck family trip without a little drama.....trying to get there on time. Why?!?!?! We have 5:30 dinner reservations.....with over a nine hour drive🙄🚨😳🚔👮🏻🍽

3. What ETA? Drive. . . stop. . . .drive. . . . .stop. . .drive. . . .stop. Seriously!!!! My family texted me for our ETA.....really?!?!? There isn't an actual ETA traveling with a big family. From nursing the baby, to answering every "I am hungry," hearing recruiting calls, potty breaks, stopping for gas, poopie diapers, DVD changes, the list goes on. Why don't family vehicles have those nifty windows that go up like in limos.....seriously?!?!? Can't a mom just get a nap after some greasy McDonald's👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼🚐🙄🍟🍔🛣⛽️💩🕑🕔🕗🕚🕚

4. Relaxation.....really?!?! Do you know how long it takes to plan and pack for four babes (kiddos) for 5 days? It took almost an hour just to pack up the car.....an another hour to unpack it. Then you have to put together the pack n play, high chair, and practically be on your hands in knees in a bear crawl making sure there isn't anything dangerous for baby when you get there. You know no place is ever safety proofed like at home. 🐻👶🏼That brings me to my next point.

5. Rest.....on vacation.....what sleep? Someone SERIOUSLY needs to figure a way to make portable cribs more comfortable. My baby was sleeping through the night before our trip and during vacation was waking up 2-3 times during the night UGGGG!!!!! Plus not having the convenience of having him in his own nursery. When baby figured out he was rooming with us......guess who was eagerly ready to wake us up that much earlier every morning?🛌 👶🏼😴

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6. A Football family in Nature 🐟😳🌲?!?! My kids really did love this whole lake/up north experience this past week. My 5 year old caught his first fish....of course he did drop it immediately after how "slimey" it felt LOL😝🐟. We roasted marshmallows.....losing more than a few to the fire or on the ground. My older sons tubed for the first time.....which I almost lost the bottom half of my suit trying to teach them how to get on it🛥👙😳. Plus we also had to jump into the lake once after losing Maverick's perfectly matched sun hat to the wind......baby's still have to look cute and accessorized up north....right??!👶🏼💙 Yes, we were pretty much rookies to the up north lifestyle.

 

So after 5 days of vacation we are on the 9 hour drive back to South Dakota. A DVD playing, all of us itching from one too many mosquito bites, listening to Colin Cowherd's latest podcast, the kids all packed in tight...again, and full of some happy memories of being on the lake. This football family enjoyed cabin life and all the new outdoorsy experiences that came along with it🌲👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼🌙🚣🏽

For me, in all honesty, I am now anxiously awaiting my greasy McDonalds breakfast and latte, my own bed, all my baby gear/safety proofing at home (I know all mamas out there can agree it makes life so much easier👍🏼), and some much needed sleep......once I get the baby back on schedule that is. Really......I have to admit.....I truly get now the whole "I need a vacation after a vacation."

So we may not be the most outdoorsy/up north kind of family, but they experienced a different way of life that can't be found on the football field🌙🚣🏽👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼🌲🐟.

👶🏼The "Perky" Perks of Breastfeeding🍈🍈

I have nursed all my four babes 👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼and have absolutely loved the bonding experience from it. Plus we are all pretty familiar how wonderful it is for baby right? Lowered risk of SIDS, they get sick less and lowered risk of allergies, get nutrients that help strengthen/develop their immune system in a way no formula can, and the list goes on for baby. Plus some of you probably are aware of the healthy benefits for the mama......breastfeeding lowers the  risk of depression, can reduce your risk of diseases, it helps the uterus contract and return to its previous smaller size, and again.....the list goes on. 

So I am going to be 100% real.....there's some vain reasons to make nursing sound even better! Even though it's pretty amazing on its own, I'm going to share these 5 little bonuses......I think we all like something in it for us too......right?

#1 it's FREE!!!! That's right you save a lot of money breastfeeding......like $1,700 or more a year actually. That's a lot of dough for a great handbag....just saying.🍈🍈🐄🤑👜

#2 It's ready to go!!! No bottles, formula,  water, etc. Nothing makes me happier knowing that when my baby's hungry he can be fed immediately. I don't have to fumble for a bottle in my diaper bag on the go......or at a football game😉🏈.....I am ready. I have enough to remember with four kiddos, and I am happy to not need to remember more. My baby cries, milk lets down, and he eats.....pretty cool super power skills🍈🍈👶🏼

 

#3 Calories.....who cares!!! You don't have to limit calories or diet at all while nursing. In fact you need as much as 500 a day.......woohooooooo!!!! Coming from a girl who loves food-this is huge! Breastfeeding makes it easier to lose the weight after baby. I am almost at my exact weight before baby.....and I get to burn calories by cuddling and feeding my baby.....yes please!!👶🏼🍈🍈🍟😍🍕🌮

#4 Amazzzzzzing Breasts. To be completely honest milk breasts are the best. They're big, round, perky, and 100% real. They look like fake boobs.......without being rock hard. Who in their right mind would be at all disappointed by that?!?🍈🍈👶🏼👫

#5 Breastmillk.....it's "liquid gold" people!!!! Seriously, I had pink eye for the first time while nursing my son. The medicine didn't seem to be helping, and I was wearing Jackie Kennedy inspired sunglasses around the clock because of my eye being so swollen and disgusting. I decided to take matters into my own hands. I expressed some breast milk and poured some of my milk into my eye.....yes.....I did that. Guess what, it felt better and looked better within a day or two tops......100% true story. I have also read articles about it helping Eczema, ear infections, rashes, clogged tear ducts, acne, and so much more🍈🍈🐄🤒.

So enjoy these added, but not so talked about perks, on breastfeeding. I 

am still currently nursing my 10 month old, and did it for at least a year for all my 4 babies. There's nothing more amazing than cradling that sweet babe in your arms and knowing you are feeding them the best. I will say, however, I am currently nursing a biter......just keeping it 100% real. With all the health benefits, as well as the fun benefits I listed a above.....the pros by far outweigh the cons (or the bites that is🍈🍈😳). So enjoy feeding your baby......and all the great benefits that come with it😉.

🌤🕶School is out for Summer🕶🌤

So it was officially Summer, a week ago last Monday, and the kids are all out of school for their break by now. It's great to have them home, don't get me wrong, but after couple of weeks I am starting to feel like an all day, all you can eat restaurant🍽. Plus hearing "I am bored for the third time in one day," would drive anyone a little nuts😜. Also, WHY are they playing baseball inside......when it's gorgeous out??????? Here's a list of ideas to keep the babes busy.....and keep you from going crazy.

1. Join the Summer Reading Program. It keeps them reading over the summer, and almost every local library makes it fun. Moving around we have been involved with many different ones, and they have all encouraged reading with great prizes. My boys have gotten happy meal coupons, Barnes and noble gift cards, books, t-shirts, and more. Plus its peace and quiet for you😉📚.  I try and work their reading time in when my youngest babe's taking his nap😴. Trust me, your teachers next year, will appreciate it😉.

2. Summer activities/camps. Keep those kids movingThere are plenty of summer sports and activities to join.....my oldest boys are in a strength training program through our university, and we are also in the middle of baseball for my son Jax. Many programs are available through universities or the YMCA. I have even found free activities through our community.....and with four kids hearing "free" feels almost like you've won the lottery.⚽️⛹🏼🏈🚴🏼⚾️🏊🏼🎾.

3. Pool Pass. We sign up for a summer pool pass. It ends up being cheaper than paying per time and we can go as often as we like and don't have to worry about how long or how little we stay. With a baby who naps still twice a day this is huge🏊🏼. We save money also by bringing snacks from home.

4. Make a list as a family of fun activities you would like to do for the summer. My boys picked a Twins game, seeing their cousins, football camps, and more. Plus it's a great way to start up conversation at dinner table🍽. We just bought our tickets through stub hub and got great seats for an affordable price by waiting a couple hours before the game💙⚾️❤️

5. Limit Screen Time. We live in a world with electronics, and although nice & convenient to have, they are not good for a kiddo to be on all day. My boys have a limit on how much time they get a day with their iPads and video games. I monitor how much they have been on it by having them sign in by texting me on their iPads and signing out when they're finished. That way I keep tabs on who has been on what for how long.⌛️📱🖥🕹

Lastly, when all else fails you can go on Pinterest and find plenty of free summer activities to do. Plus many things are offered in the summer locally. We have done $1 movies at our local theater. They're not the most recent movies.....but a cool theater on a hot day for that price is hard to pass up. Don't forget to by your movie candy ahead of time (big purses come in really handy). If they're still "bored" I found a great tool using Popsicle sticks with chores on them to pull from......my guess you won't be hearing those two little words again.

Enjoy those kiddos this summer......we are off to the pool......after a snack of course 🏊🏻🌤👶🏼👦🏼👦🏻👦🏼🕶

TOP 10 Reasons it's Great to Be a Coach's kid

Top 10 Reasons it's great to be a Coach's kid🏈:

1. The fact that your Dad's a football coach is cool! Most kids at school think your Dad's job is the greatest. 

2. Games! You get to go to all his football games for free. There's no better way to spend a Saturday for our family in the fall. GO JACKRABBITS!!!! 🍁💙🐰💛🏈

3. We have our own Football family! Other coach's kids can become your instant friends......why wouldn't they be......Saturday's are always spent cheering for our Dads. Sometimes we even spend Holidays together 🎃🏈🎄🐰🍗.

4.The Players! It's not unusual in our house to have 25+ guys over for dinner. They'll  play basketball with us, football, foosball....you name it. Plus the traditional o-line ice cream dessert.

5. Gear! You always get great gear wherever your Dad is coaching at.......even if you are only 2 weeks old👶🏼💙.

6. New places! We travel and get to see some great places......sometimes even while 

on your drive to your next move🏈🚙🛣.

7. Camps! You get to be a part of a lot of different camps in the summer through the university your Dad's coaching at.

8. The Football office! It's fun spending time at Dad's office. Not every kid gets to 

hang out in the players lounge or have access most of the time to the football field.

 9. His time! Even though our Dad works really long hours.....especially in the football season.....and can be gone weeks at a time recruiting. When he is with us he gives us his time. He'll play Madden, baseball, football, drive us to school before his morning meetings, or he will even come to our football games on Saturday mornings....before he has to head to his pre-game meal with the team.

10. Championship games! If you have a good enough season you get to travel to a championship game with the team. You stay in a nice hotel, eat good food, and get to be a part of the football events with the team. Who wouldn't love a police escort to your hotel?🏈🚓

Happy Father's Day to all the coaches out there who can also call themselves Daddy ❤️🏈