From one coach's wife to another it's easy for us to spot one another. While we may be opponents on the field, coach's wives understand that we are all on the same team. My last post was directed towards watching what you say in the stands because you just might be sitting next to a group of wives. So how do you know if you're sitting amidst that stellar group of ladies? Well, I'll share a few thoughts about that...
A coach's wife will always be in the stands without her husband. Some games she will be surrounded by family members who are joining her in support of her husband and other games she will be juggling the wild little ones single handedly. It's a safe bet that if you find yourself surrounded by a group of women who aren't with their husbands, they are the coach's wives.
A coach's wife will be over prepared to sit through a four hour game with little ones. She will be juggling toddlers, toys, and snacks. We are lucky at our current school in that we can sit in the end zone while the little ones run around in the grassy area. This is truly a blessing.
A coach's wife will be in the stands cheering even if it's the fourth quarter and the team is down 20+ points. She will also still be cheering in the stands when the team is up 20+ points. That's what separates us from "fans." We stay and cheer through the good, bad, and the ugly. You will also notice that Wives cheer with class and tact. They won't berate the players or the coaches when plays aren't being executed well, when tackles are being missed, or when passes are being intercepted. A coach's wife will always keep it positive in the stands. It can be pouring rain, and a coach's wife will still be in the stands supporting her husband.
A coach's wife will cheer for players by name, so if someone is cheering for your boyfriend, son, or cousin don't take offense. I've heard stories about player girlsfriends giving a wife terrible looks because she was cheering for the kid. We're all on the same team here ladies. Most wives understand that we have our family and then we have our football family. Your son, nephew, cousin, boyfriend is a part of that family. A coach's wife will love and support them as if he were her own.
A coach's wife will be exhausted from holding down the fort, yet she will always be smiling and in good spirits in the stands, even if fans are bad mouthing the coaches or players. She will smile and take the high road no matter how hard that may be. At times we might make this coaching life look easy, but some days are definitely harder than others.
Being a coach's wife isn't for the faint of heart. This season in particular is giving me a run for my money. We support our husbands and we enjoy watching them be able to do what they love. If you find yourself in the stands next to a group of women and their kids are driving you crazy, have some patience. Even better, lend a hand. Please don't stare in judgement and get angry because her kids are "disrupting" your peaceful game experience. They are there to support their daddy and husband, just like you're there to support your son, nephew, or cousin.
Yet again, as we are now several weeks into the season, I urge you to be mindful of your words in the stands. You just might be sitting right next to the coach's wife.
Mrs. Coach H
