As the mother of two hockey-playing kids, I've had no shortage of examples over the years to prove that I'm a hockey parent. From the car that I drive to the meals we eat to how we spent our nights, weekends and holidays, almost every aspect of my life screamed "HOCKEY PARENT."
But I wanted to open it up to the loyal followers on my Facebook page (My Kids Play Hockey author & USA Hockey Magazine columnist) to ask for their examples. Here are a few of my favorites.
You have hockey tape in your vehicle, purse and desk drawer because you never know.
- Jen Berg, Neillsville, Wis.
You refer to your child by birth year (02).
- Stacy Doherty, Honey Brook, Pa.
The boot dryer is a centerpiece in your kitchen.
- Ann Martin Schaefer, LaFayette, N.Y.
When you bring your son's hockey bags car shopping to make sure they will fit.
- Deanna Van Wie, Lake Delta, N.Y.
It's 90 degrees outside and you are wearing Uggs, a hoodie and a North Face jacket.
- Jennifer Snyder Nicastro, Sewell, N.J.
You don't notice that horrible smell in your car until you drive a co-worker to lunch.
- Cory Schwan Brosch, Oswego, N.Y.
When you have hockey blankets in your car all summer.
- Amy Tinker, Virgil, N.Y.
When you know all the kids by their jersey numbers and last names before their first.
- Marjie Gambill Sullivan, Syracuse, N.Y.
Your van smells like stinky hockey equipment all year long.
- Michael Farnham, Minneapolis
You have a rubber chicken in your kitchen and a cowbell by your front door.
- Ashley Cook, Darmouth, Nova Scotia
You write more checks to hockey related things than your "real bills."
- Lauren Kochian, Syracuse, N.Y.
You're never home on Thanksgiving.
- Laura Bell, Smithtown, N.Y.
There is so much gear/nets in your garage that no car will fit and you need a path to get out the door.
- Melissa Davies-Newton, Syracuse, N.Y.
It's 95 degrees outside and you're wearing a sweatshirt because of summer hockey.
- Chris Hig, Pittsburgh
You use your fireplace stocking hooks to hang dry equipment.
- Sam Schleman, Lakewood, Ohio
You're up at 5:30 a.m., in a blizzard to drive two hours both ways for a 45-minute game, and enjoy every minute of it.
- Shannon Coffin, Homer, N.Y.
You look in your wallet and it's empty.
- Nazma Rosado, Carlisle, Mass.
You use your paper towel holder for hockey tape.
- Becky Larson, Fort Gration, Mich.
You know the temperature of all the rinks.
- Julie Kreb, North Syracuse, N.Y.
When you find hockey pucks in their backpacks.
- Wisconsin Hockey Moms
You don't see friends and family on a weekend until April.
- Peter Bellendi, Fond du Lac, Wis.
You get excited in early August when the practice schedule comes out and you start filling up your calendar.
- Johnny Sheppard, Scarborough, Maine
Every other sport on the planet bores you.
- Kevin Duy, St. Louis (SportsDadHub.com)
When the Zamboni drivers at various rinks say hello and knows you on a first name basis.
- David Markusz, Syracuse, N.Y.
When you spend more time in a hotel on weekends than you do at your own home.
- Rita Treager, Latrobe, Pa.