We’ve had an entire week of triple digit weather here in Southern California. It’s been brutal and just sucks the life right out of you.
Even though the weather has been bad, practices still went on. Our high school marching band practiced from 9am – 9 pm. The sports teams still got their practices in and the football teams were in full pads, continuing to run and condition.
I realize our kids are tough but, at what temperature does it become potentially dangerous for these kids in this kind of heat? As I dropped my son off for football practice during one of the hottest parts of the day with the temperature hitting 111 degrees, I was extremely concerned. He is my ‘no so little anymore’ fair skinned boy whose skin burns in an instant and has passed out in the heat a few times already on us.
I waited at the practice for a few minutes to see if the coach was going to say anything to the guys about possibly running practice with no pads or lightening up on the conditioning. After complaints about the heat from the boys, the coach yelled out, “I didn’t get a call from anyone to cancel practice so I don’t want to hear any shit from anyone!”
Hmm, I guess he will wait until one of the kids drops. I wanted so bad to go say something to the coach but I knew if I opened my mouth, my son would get a black mark. So I bit my tongue, which is EXTREMELY hard for me to do. I realized as a parent I did my prevention part, kept him inside all day, kept him hydrated and sent him to practice with more fluids than he could possibly drink.
When he cam home from practice he looked like hell and was a bit shaky but I pumped him up on fluids and electrolytes.
All week the weather was the same and the guys were struggling during practice. I sent my son everyday against my better judgement cursing the coaches under my breath. I know I can’t baby him but it’s so hard to see your kid put into such a position. Being a mom is so dang difficult sometimes!
Here in Kansas, we’ve had more triple digit days than not since mid-June. Although we’re used to hot summers, this one’s been ridiculous. Our coaches wisely changed practice to 7 am so the kids wouldn’t get ill. Any coach that doesn’t — and any coach that swears like that — is NOT a good coach.