Ah, summer. That blissful time of the year when the sun shines, the birds sing, and …wait, why am I so bored?

You see for most people, summer means barbeques, lazy beach days, and relaxing vacations. But for us hockey parents, it’s a confusing, aimless stretch of time where we’re left wandering around like lost puppies, trying to figure out what normal families do during the off-season.

No More Crazy Schedule? What Do We Do Now?

From fall to spring, our lives are a whirlwind of hockey practices, games, road trips and hotel stays where we’ve perfected the art of packing everything into one bag so we have ample space for hockey gear. We are so busy we’ve forgotten what it’s like to have a free weekend. But come summer, the constant go-go-go grinds to a halt, and suddenly, we find ourselves with something foreign and terrifying: free time.

What do we do with it? Mow the lawn? Nah, that can wait. Maybe try gardening? Too slow. Sit around and relax? Pfff, who are we kidding? We’re built for the chaos of hockey season, and without it, we’re like a Zamboni on a beach, completely out of place.

The Camp Conundrum

Of course, to keep the hockey spirit alive (and to prevent our kids from climbing the walls), we shell out for those '“essential” summer camps. You know the ones that promise to turn our little ones into the next NHL superstar. They come with a hefty price tag, naturally, because nothing says “fun summer” like dropping a small fortune on ice time in July.

We fork over the cash, convince ourselves it’s worth it, and then spend our summer vacation sitting in freezing rinks while everyone else is out sipping margaritas by the pool. But hey, at least we don’t have to worry about a sunburn, right?

Missing My Hockey Tribe

And let’s not forget the true tragedy of the off-season: missing my hockey moms. These are the women who understand why I’m up at 5 AM for a tournament, who’ve shared countless cups of bad rink coffee, and who can laugh with me about the insane things we do for our hockey kids. They’re my people, and summer just isn’t the same without them.

Sure, we try to keep in touch- maybe a backyard BBQ here or a quick text there- but it’s not the same. I miss the camaraderie, the sideline banter, and the collective groan when the refs make yet another questionable call.

Counting Down To Fall

So, while others are soaking up the sun, I’m secretly counting down the days until the rink doors open again. Because as much as I love the idea of summer, I love the hustle and bustle of hockey season even more. It’s where I thrive, where my kids are in their element, and where my hockey family is just a whistle blow away.

Until then, I’ll keep muddling through summer, trying not to spend too much on those overpriced camps, and dreaming of the day when the sound of skates on ice once again fills my ears. bring on the fall- this hockey mom is ready!