If you’ve ever been a club volleyball parent, you know the drill: early mornings, hours in folding chairs or bleachers, volleyball bags packed with snacks, and the rush of adrenaline during those nail-biting matches, trying to figure out when to do the grocery shopping, cleaning, and laundry over tournament weekends. It’s that time of year again, club volleyball season. While the long tournament weekends can be exhausting, they also hold so many beautiful moments of growth, connection, and life lessons (for both our kids and us).
Club volleyball weekends are a world of their own and I used to be a cheer mom (Cheer comps are exhausting too but you are not there all day.) You’re up before the sun, navigating schedules and court changes, running on coffee and granola bars. And yet, it’s in those long hours that the magic happens. Watching my daughter play, I’m reminded of so much: resilience, teamwork, and the value of showing up and also seeing her long hours she has put in practicing.
What It Teaches Our Kids (and Us)
- The Power of Patience.Matches don’t always go as planned. Sometimes you lose a set, sometimes there’s a long wait between games. Life doesn’t always move at our pace, and that’s okay.
- The Value of Teamwork.Club volleyball isn’t just about individual skill; it’s about learning to trust your teammates, communicate under pressure, and celebrate wins together. It’s a powerful reminder for all of us that life isn’t meant to be done solo.
- Resilience in the Face of Setbacks.Not every game is a win, and not every tournament ends with a medal. But it’s in those moments of defeat that our kids learn how to bounce back stronger, and how to lean on their support system.
- Finding Joy in the Journey.Whether it’s the pregame rituals, post-tournament dinners, or those sideline laughs with other parents, these are the moments that stay with you long after the season ends.
What I’ve Learned as a Mom on the Sidelines
For me, these weekends are about more than watching my daughter play. They’re a chance to slow down, even amidst the chaos. To cheer her on, not just as an athlete, but as a young woman growing into her strength and confidence. To connect with other parents who are just as invested in their kids’ dreams.
It’s also a reminder that life is a series of seasons. Right now, I’m in the season of being a mom on the sidelines. And while it’s exhausting, I know I’ll miss it when it’s over, the hustle, the car rides, the post-game debriefs.
So, here’s to club volleyball season, the early mornings, the long days, the wins, and the losses. Here’s to our kids, who teach us resilience, and to us parents, who are there to support them every step of the way. And here’s to finding joy in the journey, one serve and set at a time.
If you’re a fellow volleyball parent, I’d love to hear: what’s your favorite part of the season?
Nikki Lanigan
Nikki Lanigan is a yoga, HIIT, and Barre instructor, she is also a Holistic Health Coach through Institute of Integrative Nutrition. Nikki is trained in Yoga Shred, Yoga Psychology, meditation, chakra balancing, and EFT/Tapping. She has done trainings with Sadie Nardini and Ashley Turner. She got her 200 hour yoga teacher training in 2017 at the Carrie Treister School Of Yoga. Nikki takes a holistic view of health, helping her students and clients reach a place of self-love not just through movement, but with mindset and lifestyle guidance as well. Nikki is also show prep writer for The McVay Media Show Prep and host of the podcast Fit, Fun, and Frazzled. Connect with Nikki on Instagram. www.instagram.com/nikkilanigan.yogaandwellness www.instagram.com/fitfunandfrazzledpodcast
