Tournaments: 5 Tips for Parents

If you have a child who plays sports, then tournaments are also part of your life.

Tournaments eat up time, money and peace of mind faster than a kid can get in and out of his/her equipment. But, there are ways to minimize the damage.

1. Plan your route to each game. Yes, this means looking at a map. Talk to other parents, too; they'll often have tips about reaching certain rinks or fields, parking, etc. Planning your route also involves padding travel time for traffic slowdowns, weather and human error.

2. Plan your downtime. This is especially important when you're on the road for a tournament. Online maps often give you the option to search the area for restaurants, coffee shops and attractions.

3. Plan your meals and snacks. Where are you going to eat? If the game is at noon, will you have lunch before, or after?

4. Plan to socialize. While the kids are getting ready, conversation with other parents will be your main activity. You may be able to stake out a spot in the stands early and get some work done, but don't count on it.

5. Plan your budget. How much will you need for meals, entertainment and gas? Are you willing to shell out for photos, trinkets, raffle tickets? (If you're not, tell the kids ahead of time. Much easier than a conversation in front of the raffle table.) Decide your limit, then take cash. Small bills are best. Get this the day before the tournament, from your local bank or ABM. Nothing is worse than looking for a bank machine in unfamiliar surroundings.

Surviving a tournament is not only possible, it can be fun. The key, of course, is planning. Make your game plan, stick to it, and you might just make the finals with your brain still intact.