Football? Let's play
Soon as I read Brittany's post below, my 12-year-old walked in from his own tackle football practice -- banged up elbow, swollen finger, on top of the bruised arms and scratched cheek from last week.
And Alec was beaming. He's wears his wounds like a badge of honor.
He has participated in some kind of team sport year round since he was 4. But this is his first time at tackle -- except for pickup games in the front yard. We resisted letting him play tackle for years -- not so much out of fear of injury, but because it's at least a 5-day a week commitment.
Now, after a grueling two-hour practice, he comes home sweat-drenched and pumped. I've rarely seen him as excited about a sport as he's been about football. And they haven't even played a game yet.
One of the coaches is a friend, and he said it's a good thing I haven't been to any practices...it's a little rough out there, apparently.
I don't entirely get it. But I'm not going to question it, either. If it works for Alec, it works for me.
See ya on the battlefield, Brittany.
Gretchen Day-Bryant has a son in high school and a daughter in middle school. She’s lived to tell about the struggles of juggling little kids and work.
Joy Oglesby has a preschooler...
Cindy Kent Fort Lauderdale mother of three. Her kids span in ages from teenager to 20s.
Rafael Olmeda and his wife welcomed their first son in Feb. 2009, and he's helping raise two teenage stepdaughters.
Lois Solomon lives in Boca Raton with her husband and three daughters.
Georgia East is the parent of a five-year-old girl, who came into the world weighing 1 pound, 13 ounces.
Brittany Wallman is the mother of Creed, 15, and Lily, 7, and is married to a journalist, Bob Norman. She covers Broward County government, which is filled with almost as much drama as the Norman household. Almost.
Chris Tiedje is the Social Media Coordinator and the father of a 7-year-old girl, and two boys ages 4 and 3.
Kyara Lomer Camarena has a 2-year-old son, Copelan, and a brand new baby. 
South Florida Parenting is your guide for local events and things to do with your family. Our site offers resources, features and insightful columns on all types of parenting issues.
Parents and their children can access a multitude of free educational resources.