Girl Power: How this non-sporty mom is empowering her daughter and becoming a soccer mom……..the five reasons organized sports empower young girls.

This post is sponsored by Johnson and Johnson.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Ok, guys, I have to be honest. Organized sports aren't my thing, and they never have been. My entire life, I've been afraid of balls (seriously). In fact, when I do yard duty at school NOW, I'm still afraid of being hit by one. Growing up, I played softball for two seasons and quit…because it terrified me. I was a pretty good swimmer but didn't want to be on a competitive team. My dad was a runner, and I tried track but hated it (I became a runner as an adult and love it now). I may never have gotten over my fear of the ball, and I may not have thrived in the competitive side of sports, but I have to say, I'm REALLY glad I had the experience of playing on multiple teams…and I've thought a lot about Lydia being involved in sports as she gets older. In fact, the time has come…and I'm ready and armed with soccer gear and an on-the-go first aid kit filled with Johnson & Johnson products that work AND give back to an amazing cause (trust me, these BAND-AID® bandages, NEOSPORIN® and Neutrogena® Sunscreen Stick will come in handy).

Girl Power: How Soccer is Empowering my Daughter

You have to laugh because parenting is a constant lesson. Lydia is pretty “girly.” She loves princess dresses, ballet class and the like. But you know what else she loves? Soccer and karate. They have classes for both at her preschool and she recently came home asking to join a soccer team. And I'm ALL ABOUT IT. I firmly believe that organized sports are an important experience for all children and that soccer especially is an amazing way to teach young girls important lessons. So I'm doing it. I'm becoming a soccer mom. I built myself a soccer mom first aid kit (that I'm hoping we won't need too often) and we've been practicing soccer drills at the park after school (I'm pretty sure Lydia is already significantly better than I am, but there's a lesson there too right?). This fall? She'll be on her first team and we are all super excited.

We are prepared with soccer gear, a soccer ball for practice and an on-the-go first aid kit (cause if Lydia is anything like her mama, scraped knees are on the horizon). I packed a simple basket to keep in our car for after-school practice sessions. It's filled with BAND-AID® bandages, NEOSPORIN® and Neutrogena® Sunscreen. We've used all three items already, and I'm thankful I always have them on hand.

Soccer teaches girls that their bodies are strong: You guys know I'm all about positive body images for all of us. I love that soccer focuses on strength and agility versus appearance. My daughter is already coming home saying “I need to practice running so that my legs are faster.” “Mom, I have great kicking feet!” This positive view of her body? I LOVE IT.

Soccer teaches girls that they can do anything with training and determination: Sports are just as much about commitment and training as they are about raw talent. Any successful athlete will tell you that training is the majority of what contributes to their achievements. Big or small, curvy or slender, soccer teaches our girls that everyone needs to put the time into training.

Soccer teaches girls to work together instead of against each other: We live in a world that teaches our girls to compete constantly. And yes, soccer is a competitive sport…but it's also a team sport. You can't succeed alone. I love that being on a soccer team is showing Lydia that there is strength in solidarity. Girl power is real.

Soccer teaches girls to find their own strengths: We aren't all good at everything. My teeny tiny for her age daughter is probably not going to be a goalie. But let me tell you, she can run like the wind. She sat down after our soccer drills at the park the other day and said “Mom, I can't block very well yet but I can run and dribble the ball SUPER FAST.” I love that she sees her own physical strengths and is proud of them.

Soccer teaches girls that everyone deserves access to opportunities: Every girl deserves leadership opportunities and access to organized sports. One of the reasons (aside from being products we love and use anyways) I picked these specific products for our on-the-go first aid kit?

Johnson & Johnson, the U.S. Soccer Federation, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation are teaming up to provide the next generation of female leaders with the inspiration and support they need to pursue their dreams. Together, we can help her reach those goals. Because she can.

Johnson & Johnson is supporting the next generation of female leaders on and off the field by working with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to create the ‘Because She Can; Innovation Fund. Your support helps give thousands of girls access to soccer programs.

Click to SAVE NOW on participating Johnson & Johnson products. (Coupon is valid from 6/2 – 6/15. Available while supplies last.)