What do Judy Henderson, Phyllis Harrell, Malesa Prater, Paula Johnson, Emily London Jones and Laura Heyward have in common? Something quite substantial actually: they are all single mothers who raised superstar athletes. These are mothers who the sports world is thankful to for raising men and women who bring integrity to the game they play, and provide hours of entertainment and joy to spectators and fans alike.

But being a single sports mom is no walk through the park. Raising a child well is any mothers top priority. However single mothers are constantly trying to balance their home and career simultaneously. To create a balance sometimes you have to sacrifice on time with your teen. If you talk to athletes raised by a single mother, the one thing you will realize is that their moms, too, were not always standing on the sidelines of every sports event or practice session. However, these mothers never failed to cheer their children on. Remember that providing a secure and stable home to kids is just as important. So, if you are drowning in guilt for not being there for your kid at all his sports events and victories, relax! Giving them a balanced life is much more important. There are, of course, things you can do to stay involved in the sport, too. 

• Make sure you are on good terms with the coach of your child’s teams.
• Find parents who can help you carpool 
• It is a good idea to do some volunteering for a group snack every now and then for the practice sessions, but look for speedy alternatives 
• Get to know and make friends with other parents on the team. This way you’ll have someone to look out for you in case of an emergency. People are always willing to extend some help for single mothers within a community  
• Teach them good values through the examples of many sports icons. Many sports icons got their start during their teens
• Accept your limitations and avoid doing multiple sports each season. Ask your teen to pick one sport per season that he/she wants to focus on, this should make things easier to manage 
• If you have missed an important event or practice, make sure you get a recording of it so you can sit with your child later and relive the moment 
• Make sure you tell your child that winning and losing is not as important as playing and teamwork 
• Don’t forget to show gratitude towards those who supported you throughout the season. The coach and other parents have been there for you so don’t forget to show them your appreciation

And in the end, stand tall and proud for making another good thing happen in your child’s life. You may not always be there for all the moments, but it is the values you give to your child that will help them in the long run.