IS YOUR KID'S HOCKEY TEAM TAKING OVER YOUR LIFE???

You Know You're a Hockey Parent When...

You base the next purchase of your new vehicle on whether it will hold six kids, six sticks, and six hockey bags. (Unless it is a new Shelby Mustang).

You know the location of evey hocky store within a 400 mile radius.

You relate directions to places by the nearest arena.

You know every single kid on every single team your child has ever played on...but don't have a clue who his school mates are.

You feel lost when you have a free weekend.

Your spouse waits until you decide where to sit and then chooses a spot on the opposite side of the arena.

(Or becomes head coach for the same reason).

You become a partner in a skate sharpening business to save money.

Can justity complaining about someone who gives hundreds of hours of volunteer time to your son or daughter.

You ground your kids for a week (except for hockey practice).

Can rationalize spending $159 on a Synergy for a 9 year old but won't spend $5 on a Birthday card for is wife.

When someone asks how old your children are you respond, "I have a Squirt and a Mite."

Has had to use a grandparent to take kid #1 to a tournament because Dad was in a different county with kid #2 at a tournament and Mom had kid #3 two counties away in a 3rd tournament all in one weekend.

Has more miles on a '05 minivan than a '66 Chevy.

Practices make up a very large part of your social life.

You buy gloves according to how loud you can clap in them.

You find yourself missing the parent of your child's team mates during the off season.

Your refuse to make any plans with your friends until you check your kid's hockey schedule.

Take out a home loan to pay for all the equipment and expenses.

Plans birth of next child so he has a good hockey birthday (both my boys do).

New baby's first word in Zamboni (Parker's was close).

All computer passwords begin with "hockey" or contain child's number.

Has been barred from more than one rink on more than one occasion.

Purchases new $135 stick because old one "didn't have any goals left in it."

Knows a few 5 year olds that are good but "lack focus."

Has had kids ask if Christmas is "home" or "away."

Asked to decided between try-outs and first communion - asked church what his options were.

Recieved a letter from AAA Automobile Club and called for more information about tryouts.

See ya at the rink!