Dear Football Mom:
Our son has had some horrible bouts with cramping this year at practice. I fear it could get worse in the upcoming games. He eats bananas like crazy and tries to stay hydrated with Gatorade. What else can he do or eat to keep the cramping down?

Dear Reader:
Great question! Is he S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G properly after workouts and practice?

Salt intake is huge. I’m sure your coach has suggested pickle juice, but if not, that’s a great source to get salt intake without having to take salt tablets. Of course, actually eating the pickles is a plus. Then again, the ole standby concoction of a baked potato with salted butter, added salt, and chopped pickles on top, works too. That will clear up anything that ails ya!

One of my sons had a tough time with this very thing in college. I nearly went into orbit when I found out he was receiving IVs, not only at halftime, but also in-between quarters. Seriously, how much is a mama supposed to take? Apparently, everything.

That fella dried up like a dog in a dry desert hunting a bone every time he played, which was a lot. He tried to keep the IV deal under wraps and me from knowing. But one time before a game, I saw pouches of IVs on the sideline labeled with his number. I shot off like a rocket loaded with combustible fuel and went straight to the trainer. “What the heck, man? This kid hates needles, and he only has so many veins. Isn’t there another way to prevent his cramping?”

The trainer was such a trouper. He explained how severely Brandon got dehydrated no matter what they did to keep him from it. The dude also told me my son was better off taking an IV throughout the game instead of keeling over with full body cramps. Well, I couldn’t argue with that. At the time, he was one of the best trainers going, and I respected his opinion. Brandon tells me now, “Actually, Mom, I got to where I saw needles as a God-send.”

Just like flu season, right now it’s cramping season. There is, of course, the old-school remedy that will take care of cramping in an instant. Once the season rocks on and the weather gets cooler, you won’t see players dropping like flies in full-throttle pain on the field anymore. Cramping during the games should subside.

If your son is still suffering with cramps halfway through the season, have him checked by a doc and make sure they do blood work. There could be underlining issues no one sees on the surface. Let’s hope not.

Enjoy the season and watching your son and his team play the greatest game on earth.

Dear Football Mom:
I read your recent column on mixing church and state together for the sake of football. Was just wondering if you could answer a quick question for me. If the head coach of a football team had his largely Christian team listen to a Muslim or a Judaist preach their religion as potential “inspiration,” would you accept that coach’s decision as the “freedom to choose” his way of instilling in his players “a moral compass to guide youngsters?”

Dear Reader:
I appreciate your question and you taking the time to write me, but your first statement is completely incorrect. No one is mixing church for the sake of football. Please reread the column. Apparently, you were confused. I get it. That is easy to do.

I tend to reserve this space for real questions, from real parents, who have real concerns surrounding the game of football. I do not answer scenarios or what if’s … but thank you very much for reaching out. I hope you’ll continue to read the columns.

Column referenced: Freedom, Football, and Choosing Faith see here.

Dear Football Mom:
Last year, my son was the only player who played both offense and defense on his JV team. I am a single mom, who didn’t grow up watching or even liking football, but my son loves playing, and I’m learning to like it. Seeing him so happy has a lot to do with it. I have snooped around and point blank asked other parents if they think playing both ways is too much. They look at me like I have three heads and avoid me and my question. So, I’m asking you, is it too much? And why are they avoiding me?

Dear Reader:
If I had to guess, your son must be pretty good at playing football. I suppose the coach has taken a shine to your son and can trust him on the field to get the job done no matter where or which side he plugs him in.

Now then, let’s just come right down to the sticky part of this little situation. They avoid you simply because other parents are slightly jealous of your son’s talent. Presume for a second that the bubblegum is on the other foot, and your son isn’t clocking as much time as the player who is playing both ways. If you’re honest with yourself, you might also be a tad resentful, especially if it was only one player on the team playing both ways.

Take the high road and consider it a privilege that the other parents are a little miffed. Sooner or later, they will have no other choice but to respect your son’s talent. Trust me, they do now even if they don’t say so.

As for it being too much for your son to handle playing both ways, again, consider it a privilege.

Dear Football Mom:
I’m in the 7th grade and have to take summer school reading literature course to make it to 8th next year. The teacher wanted us to write a report on any subject we wanted to and being that I love playing football, thought I’d write it on that. I had just read your column post where you named all the past famous players. I figured I could take your advice and write about some of those players. For the first time in my life, I got a B- on my report! Thought you should know that was a good idea to have us players write a report on those past NFL players. I think your columns rock in more ways than one, because I don’t like to read, but I like reading your columns about football.

Dear Reader:
Wow, that is so cool about your grade! Outstanding job. Big-sized congratulations to you, my young friend, and I hope you keep on going the distance. If you plan on trying to play in college, you will need a right smart of good grades to be eligible. You can do it—you are on a roll! Shoot for the stars, and never look back. I’m so proud of you.

Hard work and determination cannot be overrated. If you do the work, the rewards will come. Exaggerate your brain as much as you want to exaggerate your muscles. You can train yourself to enjoy reading, just like you train yourself in the weight room to get bigger and stronger. And always, always bring your A-game to the classroom.

Here are a couple of books you may want to check out. You’ll probably have to find them on a website. The book, Southern Fried Football by my buddy, Tony Barnhart, is a great resource book and shares a lot of teams’ traditions and history about the sport. Season of Life: A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood by Jeffrey Marx, is a great true story with several awesome teaching lessons and the sometimes-hurtful relationships between dads and sons. I think you will like reading them. Try them—you may end up being a savvy reader after all.

Check back with me and let me know how it goes. I just might have to attend one of your games. You never know what bleachers you might find the Football Mom in. I always love rooting for the special fellas of fall who never give up in school or on the field!