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On the Road Again
Tackling Travel Teams – Family Style
By Lisa A. Goldstein
The bottom line is, "too much" will be evident in lower grades, a lack of passion for the sport or by them expressing it directly, Brill says.
Another question is who travels when the preteen travels? This all depends on the family structure and any siblings. Many parents' experiences likely reflect that of Mary Evans of Asheville, N.C. She usually travels with her 13-year-old daughter Kate, who has been playing for the AAU since she was 9. Evans' husband stays home with their 9-year-old son. Sometimes they all go, and sometimes they meet grandparents at a town "in between" if they're heading in that direction.
If parents use this travel time to talk with their kids, it can be a good bonding time, Brill says. This is what Evans has found. Despite this "split" in her family, Evans says the face time she has with her daughter is invaluable. "[I have] great chances for conversation, teachable moments and a chance to interact with her as she meets and interacts with girls from very diverse socioeconomic backgrounds," she says.
Surprisingly, traveling sports usually don't affect school since games are on the weekends. Kate only misses a day or half a day once or twice a year. Her mother says it's easy to make up; they just plan ahead with her teacher. Kate also has time to study and read on the road. And once again, all goes well as long as they plan ahead and don't leave everything to the last minute.