Thank you, Dole, for sponsoring this post! Thank you, Mom It Forward blogger network, for lining up this post!
At almost 6 and 3 1/2, my older two girls are just now getting to the ages where they are showing an interest in sports. This past winter and spring, they participated in gymnastics, and they will soon take swimming lessons at the same pool where I learned how to swim.
I have never been the athletic type, but as an adult I have come to learn the value in allowing children to participate in at least some sports activities. I do not believe in overdoing extracurriculars, but there are ways to choose sports and other activities with intentionality, and your children can get involved without you spending a lot of money!
Even when they are not actively involved in an extracurricular sport, my girls play outside nearly every day. I like to make sure their little bodies are fueled with a nutritious snack before they engage in a lot of physical activity.
We recently tried DOLE Fruit Squish’ems, and they were so excited when I suggested we try freezing the pouches and serving them like a slushy as they enjoyed the near 90-degree-weather days we’ve been having lately!
Each pouch comes with one full serving of fruit. Flavors include Apple, Apple Mixed Berry and Apple Strawberry. My girls tried both the Apple and Apple Strawberry. And they begged me for more once they were finished!
DOLE Fruit Squish’ems has partnered with two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winner and mom, Brandi Chastain and the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO) to help soccer families across the country gear up for game days.
Check out Brandi’s (and some of my own!) tips for gearing up for game day:
1. Kids learn to be good sports both on and off the field.
I have heard horror stories of parents losing their cool with other parents, coaches and referees. You better believe our kids will remember such instances! We can teach our children by example to always be respectful to everyone on the field, offer encouragement even to those on the opposing team, and be gracious whether they win or lose.
2. It’s important to be both physically and mentally prepared for game day.
My little girls are definitely still prone to meltdowns when hunger strikes. With introducing my girls to athletics, I have learned that fueling them with nutritious snacks is vital.
Fruit Squish’ems are a great game day snack. They are not messy at all and are easy to transport. I love that they are GMO free, gluten free, and are made with BPA free packaging. They also contain no high fructose corn syrup or artificial flavors.
Eating a good, nutritious snack pre-game ensures that kids will be be both physically and mentally prepared for the field!
3. Practice does more than pay off on the field.
It teaches us the importance of working hard and earning the results. Try to encourage your children and be supportive when they’re putting in that extra effort to practice and improve!
4. Always pack extras.
It’s easy for things to get lost in the shuffle of crazy game days, so always pack extra socks, an extra pair of shoes, an extra swimsuit or pair or shorts, etc. and an extra snack!
5. Always double check for any last minute schedule changes.
Our girls take swimming lessons at an outdoor pool, so their sessions are canceled when it rains. Checking voice mail, email or the team website will save you time in the long run.
6. Get them excited for the game with their favorite music.
Brandi shared:
“When I was playing soccer, nothing got me ready to go like putting on my headphones and listening to my favorite music. Now, my son and I build fun, energetic playlists for the ride to the game. It’s a great way for us to bond and for him to get excited before playing!”
7. Teach your kids to stay hydrated.
A tough game means lots of sweat. 15-20 oz. of water two to three hours before practices and games will help their little engines to keep running at full steam!
8. Learning how to be a good winner and a good loser are both really important.
Brandi shared:
“Before a big game, I always try to tell my son that the most important thing is to go out and to do the best you can and win or lose, be positive and treat others with respect.”
Brandi’s Game Day Great tips are being shared on Dole’s Facebook page throughout the spring and summer and on Dole’s Twitter page.
You can view more of Brandi’s tips videos here.
DOLE Fruit Squish’ems “Game Day Great” Facebook Contest
DOLE Fruit Squish’ems is also inviting moms and dads nationwide to share their own game day tips and pre-game rituals through their Game Day Great Facebook contest at GameDayGreat.com for a chance to win $5,000 and a season’s supply of DOLE Fruit Squish’ems for their kids’ league. Ten finalists will also receive a season’s supply of DOLE Fruit Squish’ems for their leagues.
Upon submitting their tip, all entrants will be able to download a coupon to save $1 on a box of DOLE Fruit Squish’ems.
Get more details and enter to win here.
DOLE Fruit Squish’ems are the official snack of AYSO, the nation’s most active and open youth organization, and a great resource for parents looking to get their kids into a league. They are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year and have great principles like everyone getting the chance to play in every game and positive coaching.
Soccer families will have the opportunity to try DOLE Fruit Squish’ems at a variety of AYSO events across the country including AYSO’s National Games on June 29 – July 7, 2014, in Southern California.
DOLE Fruit Squish’ems are available at retailers nationwide for a suggested retail price of $2.79 per package.
WIN a $100 Visa Gift Card!!
DOLE Squish’ems is giving one Humbled Homemaker reader with a $100 Visa Gift Card!
Enter to win by:
1. Enter the Facebook Game Day Great Contest.
2. Promote the Game Day Great contest via Twitter including the bitly link: http://bit.ly/1ghvrB9
Once you have completed those two things, comment below! The winner will be chosen at random on June 4!
Disclosure: I am part of the Mom It Forward blogger network. Mom It Forward and DOLE partnered in support of this campaign. Dole compensated me for participation in this campaign. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Casey knepshield
Trying to enter but when I click the facebook link it gives me an error.
Amy
I don’t have a twitter account – am I still eligible?
Jessica Stevens
Ive entered
Rachel Burkybile
Thanks for the great post! 🙂 – entered.
Luann Barbagallo
As my sons got older and very involved with sport, they were told to carb load pregame. But one son depleted all his energy by mid game. So, for him, we protein loaded and then he had all the energy he needed. But it extremely import to offer pregame, during game and post game nutrition.
Julie
Entering to win!
Cara D
Tweeted, but would not let me enter the FB link
Ashley Zierott
My kiddos love these! Would love to win!
Pamela
Great tips… thanks.
Becky Vincent
I tried several times to enter from both and received errors on the links.
Anna
I tweeted 🙂 LOVE Dole, what a great product idea. I love that it wont get crushed in a purse too.
Amanda Sakovitz
I did both! thank you for the chance!
Mellissa
Thanks for sharing a great post. Entering
Heather Z
Not sure if that was the right twitter link…. it did not work for me.
Ashley H
I entered.
Rebecca Knox
Would love to win this! Thanks for the opportunity to enter! 🙂
Emily
I entered the Facebook giveaway post but twitter link isn’t wrking.
Kenny F
Ive entered
Heather C
I keep getting errors on the links! And I don’t have a twitter account. Hope I can still win!
joe gersch
entered and tweeted https://twitter.com/jtwark/status/470279076713095168
nicole dz
entered and tweeted- https://twitter.com/lil_lady_dz/status/470561843736354816
D Schmidt
Entered my tip and tweeted
https://twitter.com/mummytotwoboys1/status/471097639014903808
livivua
we travel with these…so good. i shared and entered.
Erika W.
I entered on Facebook and tweeted here: https://twitter.com/seabattle2/status/471351297224884226
Michelle J.
I did both, and I’m crossing my fingers!
Neiddy Ruiz
Entered the facebook contest and promoted the giveaway on twitter
-https://twitter.com/neiddy_ruiz/status/471907535125884930
Thomas Murphy
I entered the contest and tweeted
https://twitter.com/thomasmurphy40/status/473999434024366080