Riding the Guard Coaster

**Welcome to Winter Guard. Please keep your hands and

feet inside the car for the duration of the ride**

One of the things I haven't blogged about lately is winter guard. If you read my first several entries (before Hailey was born), I mention it often. I've sprinkled bits and pieces of it throughout my postings and written about some of the joys and frustration of being involved.

For whatever reason, I have not mentioned anything about winter guard this year - and that seems odd to me. If you were to see me on a semi-regular basis, I talk about it a lot (everyone take a moment to feel bad for my husband). It particularly puzzles me because this year I am in charge. The past four years, I have been mainly a design consultant who also could jump in and help the occasional performer. Now however, I run practice - 3 hours, 10 kids and most of the time I run it by myself. I get them to shows, organize parents do paperwork - anything that needs to be done. I do have a lot of help: a great writer who gave us a brilliant show, incredible parents who are willing to do whatever it takes and a wonderful group of kids (99% of the time).

This season has been one of the biggest roller coaster rides I can remember, I've learned a lot from it...

#1. Kids need to slow down - some kids do so much...so many activities, so much school work. I truly believe that everyone should be involved in something they enjoy - whether it is school related or not. Finding something you love to do brings joy into your life. However, that doesn't mean that the more you do, the more joy you have. Sometimes juggling 5 activities is not better, its just more. While I've seen some kids that can handle it, most of them just add stress to their lives. I don't know that kids with so much on their plates ever truly appreciate what each activity has to teach them.

#2. I've learned that the 'bad cop' is usually the one who gets things done. I've always been the good cop -always. I don't think I could ever be the bad cop, it's not in my nature. This year, my unwavering faith in the concept of 'lead by example' has definitely wavered. Some days, having fun and working hard are like two totally different ships traveling in opposite directions - you have to choose to board one or the other and they never end in the same place. Days like that are completely draining and can immediately suck the happiness out of me.

#3. There is no activity in the world that can take the place of parental involvement. Period. I don't think I even need to elaborate on that.

#4. There is inside me an inexhaustible supply of patience, frustration, pride, irritation and love for these kids and this activity - and it can all be felt at the exact same time. As much as I sometimes want to curl up in a ball and fantasize about this season being over, when April comes, I am going to feel sadness as well as relief. I'm going to MISS these kids -they are pretty amazing. I am going to MISS this activity, it has brought me so much personal growth and satisfaction.

Like a roller coaster, the season has its ups and downs - its exciting and fun but at times makes me completely sick to my stomach. It's over in the blink of an eye, but you still want to go on again even though you know its going to scare the daylights out of you.

**Please do not exit until the ride has come to a complete stop**