How to plan and pivot throughout the summer months and beyond
By: Dr. Debranetta, Mom, Strategist, Researcher, Chief of Staff
Summer for me and my kids is heavily influenced by their track and field schedule. We’ve been part of the club track and field community for the past three years, and what started as a seasonal sport has grown into a part of my family’s lifestyle during the summer. This endeavor has taken us to incredible places—from the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon (aka TrackTown USA), to the beautiful beaches of North Carolina and many memorable cities in between. For us, it’s been more than medals and meets. Youth track has proven to be a valuable investment in my children’s physical, social, and emotional development, and I do whatever it takes to make it happen for them year after year. In today’s post, I’m sharing Life on the Track: How to plan and pivot throughout the summer and beyond.
Track Mom Life Isn’t for the Faint at Heart
It takes a special type of parent to navigate competitive sports with their children. I’ve learned that it requires balancing support with discipline, cheering from the sidelines while managing logistics behind the scenes, and showing up with grace even when the schedule is packed and emotions run high. Outdoor youth track also runs during the summer, the hottest days of the summer. It’s not for the faint of heart! But with a little preparation, you can help your young athlete stay safe, strong, and focused, even in the heat.
4 Tips for Track Families During the Summer Heat:
Hydration Starts the Day Before
Don’t wait until meet day to hydrate! Make sure your athlete is drinking water and electrolyte-rich fluids the day before a meet or practice. Dehydration can sneak up quickly in high temps.
Invest in a Quality Cooling Setup
Bring essentials like a canopy tent, misting fan, cooling towels, and a portable cooler. These are lifesavers during long days at the track and keep athletes from overheating between events.
Pack Smart, Light Meals and Snacks
Choose foods that fuel but won’t weigh them down—think fruit, wraps, granola, and protein bars. Avoid heavy or greasy meals that can drain energy and cause stomach discomfort in the heat.
Practice Sun Safety
Sunscreen should be applied before and reapplied during meets. Lightweight, moisture-wicking clothing, hats, and sunglasses can help protect against sunburn and heat exhaustion.
Time Management Tips for Busy Track Families and Working Moms
The right time management practices can ensure that a track-filled summer is enjoyable. I won’t suggest perfection, but I can suggest some strategies I’ve learned the hard way that can help enable your success. First, I will say that the track season is unpredictable. Our recent track meet was affected by several schedule changes due to extreme weather conditions and high temperatures. One day, my kids and I were headed out the door and received an alert on the way out that they were closing the track. That meant my daughter’s preliminary event was canceled, and they shifted it to a timed finals two days later. Yeah, unpredictable is an understatement.
This brings me to my first tip: be flexible. When unexpected changes happen, flexibility quickly becomes your superpower. Build flexibility into your week by avoiding back-to-back commitments and keeping some buffer time open. It helps you pivot without feeling overwhelmed and teaches your kids that being adaptable is just as important as being on time.
Tip #1 – Be flexible and build in buffer time
Second, keep your shared calendars up to date. Keep track of practices, meets, work schedules, and appointments all in one place. A digital calendar with color-coding makes it easy to spot overlaps and stay ahead. Link or share calendars with your support system. For example, if grandparents assist with logistics, make sure they have access to up-to-date and real-time information as well. Our track club uses an app for information, and it has been helpful.
Tip #2 – Use a Shared Calendar
Take a lesson from me: prepare in advance. Sometimes, we underestimate summer months. It’s easy to underestimate the summer months and assume everything will slow down, but that’s often not the case. For me, work demands don’t necessarily stop during this summer. Nor do appointments. It can be challenging to stay prepared. Calendar conflicts occur regardless of the time of year. However, I encourage track families to prepare in advance. Mornings are smoother when clothes, bags, lunches, and water bottles are ready the night before. Even five minutes of prep can save 20 in the morning rush.
Tip #3 – Prepare in advance
I was a cheerleader growing up and coached youth cheerleading for almost 10 years. I was familiar with youth competitive sports going into my kids’ track and field journey. It takes mental toughness to show up for yourself and your team at each practice and event. Children in competitive sports learn how to handle pressure, bounce back from disappointment, and persevere through challenges with focus and determination.
This brings me to my next tip: involve your child in planning their schedule to help them build ownership and awareness of their growth. Sit down together at the start of each week to review practices, meets, rest days, and schoolwork. Ask how they’re feeling physically and mentally, and adjust as needed. This not only teaches time management and responsibility, but also helps them listen to their bodies, recognize the importance of rest, and understand how planning supports their performance and overall development. As they grow, so does their ability to balance priorities and advocate for what they need. I will share more benefits of youth sports in an upcoming blog. Make sure you subscribe below.
Tip #4 – Involve your child in planning their schedule
Transferable Skill – How to leverage these tips all year long
The time management and planning habits you develop during track season don’t have to end when the season does. Learning to manage a busy schedule, coordinate multiple responsibilities, and stay flexible under pressure builds a strong foundation for success in every season of life.
To Wrap it Up
Track Mom life has tested my ability to plan and pivot. As a person who values adaptability and tries to live with intention, this particular sports journey has stretched me in the best ways. More importantly, it’s shown me how much growth happens, for both me and my kids, when we learn to move with purpose even in unpredictable moments. Track life is more than medals and meets. It’s building skills that last beyond the finish line.
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