My high school experience was not something I have thought a lot about, it was not entirely unpleasant; but when my son went through high school, I tried to impress upon him the importance of academics and how it could impact his future. He was more interested in sports and the social aspect.

My son marches to his own drum. He participated in football; he liked it but hardly got a chance on the field mainly because he wasn’t a “coach favorite” and my husband and I weren’t vocal enough about it. Eventually, he quit to pursue wrestling at which he did well. My husband and I were so glad when his high school years were over. We thought the frustration was behind us.

Enter…the grandchildren – the oldest grandson plays Jr. High football, the youngest grandson plays trumpet in the band, and our granddaughter is in preschool.

The frustration angers us when we see our grandson show up for practice, work hard, and prove himself by doing a good job and STILL not getting much field time is disheartening – not only for him, but for his parents and my husband and me.

So, what players get to play whether they have a good game or not? The kids of the moms who sit in their little clique as if they are still in high school. Only certain people are welcome in their inner circle – nothing changes -it is in their social DNA.

Year after year, coaches and cliques remain the same – it truly is one of life’s clichés.

Even now, we want our son, and now our grandchildren to know that WE will always cheer for them – school is but a fleeting moment and the best is yet to come!