Band mom

[tcufrog]

So, now that I've attended my first Band booster meeting and my son started his first band camp this week, I'm now a Band Mom. Any advice? So much seems to have changed from when I was marching band many moons ago.

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Don't make any plans for any of your weekends for the rest of high school.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

 

[Heather07438]

So, now that I've attended my first Band booster meeting and my son started his first band camp this week, I'm now a Band Mom. Any advice? So much seems to have changed from when I was marching band many moons ago.

All I can say is ENJOY. We miss those years.
Being a band parent was awesome. Made so many friends over the years and DS got so much out of the experience.

Some mantras drilled into our son:

If you’re on time you’re late!
(Lol, you should always be 10 minutes early because you never want to hold everyone else up)

The will to win is nothing compared to the will of preparing to win.

Eyes with pride.

 

[Kirby]

Don't make any plans for any of your weekends for the rest of high school.

All I can say is ENJOY. We miss those years.
Being a band parent was awesome. Made so many friends over the years and DS got so much out of the experience.

Some mantras drilled into our son:

If you’re on time you’re late!
(Lol, you should always be 10 minutes early because you never want to hold everyone else up)

The will to win is nothing compared to the will of preparing to win.

Eyes with pride.

Both of these! It's been 11 years since our DD graduated from high school and I miss being a band mom. Get involved, work with the kids. It is so worth it. I was in charge of the band's uniforms both marching and concert. It was a challenge at times but I got to know the directors, the parents and the kids. The band hall became a second home for me at times I was there so much.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

• Learn how to get mud out of polyester.
• Buy a lot of black (or maybe white, I guess) socks.
• Learn the rules of football.
• Prepare to hear a lot of Gustov Holst
• Avoid band booster meetings like the plague.
• No band ever plans a Disney trip well.
• I hope your wedding anniversary or birthday isn't between August and November, because you won't be able to celebrate it for the next 4 years.

 

[martikus]

No advice but joining you! My rising 9th is giving it a try. Band camp starts mid July.

I was so relieved to learn they clean the uniforms. No risk I can ruin it.

I’m an extreme introvert so a bit concerned if we don’t participate enough but will be there cheering on. I may even have to learn the rules of football if I’m going to be attending this many games .

Sadly most of my son’s band friends are zoned for the other high school so hoping he makes some
Quick friends during camp. He’s so nervous!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Some mantras drilled into our son:

"You were born wet."

 

[FlightlessDuck]

 

[Breezy_Carol]

I hope your wedding anniversary or birhday isn't between August and November, because you won't be able to celebrate it for the next 4 years.

Our anniversary is in October. More than one anniversary dinner was hot dogs from the concession stand. (Two kids so ten years of high school and university band.)

I wish I had known sooner how warm Uggs are. My kids made fun of me but they kept me warm at October and November games.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Seriously, thought, my kids loved band, and all of the band kids were great. My daughter went on to get a degree in music and played in marching band in college and got to go to 3 bowl games.

We had a lot of fun following them around, but it was exhausting.

Be careful with band boosters, though. It can definitely be a time suck. The more important thing is being at games and competeitions for your kids.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our anniversary is in October. More than one anniversary dinner was hot dogs from the concession stand. (Two kids so ten years of high school and university band.)

Ten years sounds about right for me, too. Our daugther started in seventh grade (our band is smaller and there's only one middle and high school, on the same campus), my son in fifth (as honor guard). Fall 2008 through Spring 2018, including 4 years of college. Our son decided not to join band in college because he was worried about the time suck and being able to get his schoolwork done.

 

[Heather07438]

Both of these! It's been 11 years since our DD graduated from high school and I miss being a band mom. Get involved, work with the kids. It is so worth it. I was in charge of the band's uniforms both marching and concert. It was a challenge at times but I got to know the directors, the parents and the kids. The band hall became a second home for me at times I was there so much.

That’s awesome. The time invested really is its own reward. Its been 1 year since DS graduated.DH and I miss the shows so much we decided next fall we’ll go watch some performances.

 

[Heather07438]

I’m an extreme introvert so a bit concerned if we don’t participate enough but will be there cheering on. I may even have to learn the rules of football if I’m going to be attending this many games

Don’t worry. Band usually has plenty of introverted kids and parents. Only DH is an extrovert and the whole thing was still a perfect fit for our family. Smiles and clapping are plenty enough. They were very welcoming to everyone here no matter how involved each family was. Watching all the kids grow up thru high school was super sweet.

 

[diznygirl]

Buy a bleacher seat. And the season sports pass if its offered.

My last band kid has graduated, so we are done with marching. I have one that still does wind ensemble in college, so we can still attend concerts. Band kids are the best. They have a lot of great memories.

 

[tcufrog]

DS14 was diagnosed with high functioning Aspergers when he was 4 and has always struggled to make and keep friends. I feel like with band he’s finally found his tribe.

 

[stitch'sgirl]

@tcufrog and @martikus, congrats to your kids! Band kids are seriously awesome. This was my mantra, "The band always wins!"

I tried to integrate myself into an already tight group of parents and finally gave up and just enjoyed being a mom who watches her kid.

My son joined band begrudgingly- he was a football player and couldn't do both in high school. I pushed band. It was an easy transition into the giant high school after band camp as he met many upper classmen in camp. He loved marching band so much he ended up trying out for a Big 10 college marching band last summer and made it!

Just enjoy the next four years, they will speed by!!

 

[FlightlessDuck]

• Learn how to get mud out of polyester.
• Buy a lot of black (or maybe white, I guess) socks.
• Learn the rules of football.
• Prepare to hear a lot of Gustov Holst
• Avoid band booster meetings like the plague.
• No band ever plans a Disney trip well.
• I hope your wedding anniversary or birthday isn't between August and November, because you won't be able to celebrate it for the next 4 years.

Oh, I also forgot

• Learn how to polish shoes.

 

[KMarston]

I loved being a band mom! Band parents, band kids, band director were all amazing! Invest in good rainwear would be my advice. There were so many opportunities to help. Keep frozen party food for when a few friends coming over to hang out turns into 20! I really miss it!

 

[tcufrog]

My son went out for pizza after practice tonight with 9 other clarinet players. Three of the older guys waited with him at the pizza place until we got there so they could make sure he was picked up. What nice kids. We told him he should invite his section over to swim when we get back from our summer road trip.