DIY Life

Soccer season is heating up across the nation. This means that soccer moms everywhere are getting out their portable soccer chairs, packing lunches, juggling schedules and tending to sore ankles. Soccer moms catch a lot of flack for everything from being overzealous to wasting precious gas. But since I am a dedicated sideline watcher to my two older kids, I have a certain soft spot for this population. We work hard to prepare our kids for s sport they love and we try to be prepared for everything from a tearful player to a hungry team to any sort of injury.

We have only just entered the serious injury state of the game in our home. My son has left the recreational league for the high school game; the stakes have risen considerably. This type of soccer requires two practices a day, 8 mile runs before 7 a.m. and weekend practices. I knew our life had changed when I saw my 14 year-old with an ice pack wrapped around his ankle while he was relaxing one afternoon. I realized we needed to have a variety of items on hand and in the car for this new phase.There are a variety of first aid kits you can buy pre-assembled that are affordable and quite handy for soccer injuries. however, if you would like to supplement them or put one together on your own, here are a few items you want to be sure to keep in your kit:

• One or two instant cold packs. These are helpful for minor head injuries or ankles twists.
• A wide variety of band aids, including knuckle band-aids.
• Blister care band aids and new skin type solutions.
• An ace bandage.
• Gauze and wide medical tape for wrapping ankles or wrists.
• A pair of latex gloves.
• Alcohol wipes.
• Antibiotic cream.
• A good, water tight bag to keep the items dry and sterile.