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Last fall while driving past a nearby soccer field, my son spoke up from the backseat asking to go play. He had participated in a weekly soccer program while in preschool, but I had put off signing him up for a team sport. I hesitated for a number of reasons including fear of him not liking it and then having to drag him out each week. Now, here we were and, he was asking to participate. I couldn’t say no to that.

As soon as signup opened up a couple months ago for the fall season, I put in our request to have him join a team. He couldn’t be happier. He was so enthused before the season started, he read almost the entire Everything Kids’ Soccer Book while trying on his shin guards and cleats over & over again.
When we walked onto the field together that first morning, I think I had more of the first day jitters than he did! He’s been great. Working hard at drills. Listening to his coaches and working his best to improve. I’ve been eagerly taking him to each practice and game. Watching from the edge of my seat. Applauding his teams’ successes. And taking lots and lots of photos.

I’ve also been bringing all the things. Literally.
The folding chair for myself. Water bottles for us both. A book to reading during practice just in case (though I’ve been so engrossed in watching his team I have yet to crack my book open during these times). My camera and zoom lens on game day. Plus sunscreen, bug spray, tissues, etc, etc. Like I said, all the things.

What I forget too often? A snack for myself! This is especially important on practice nights when I’m feeding the kids early to get us out the door on time. A couple of weeks ago that meant I didn’t have dinner until after they were in bed. Not a good thing. I need to take the time to pause and focus on my own wellbeing including my mind and body.
During my next trip to Kroger, I picked up a couple of boxes of Kellogg’s® Special K® Bars. I wanted something nourishing that tasted good and was easy to grab & toss into my bag on our way out the door.

Now I was left with one problem: how to remember to pack my snack along with all of our other weekly essentials? I fixed that by doing what I know works best for me – making a list.
Soccer Bag Essentials Printable List
Step 1 Start by downloading my free printable and printing it onto 4×6 photo paper or a blank index card.
Step 2 Trim the corners off using a corner rounder punch.

Step 3 Laminate the card and trim off excess.
Step 4 Finally, punch a hole in the top and attach to your bag using a carabiner. This way your list is handy week after week and doesn’t get lost.

Now that all of the essentials are covered (including that important snack for mom!) – what else do you pack in your bag each week?
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