When my little boy came to me and asked if he could play football when he was old enough, I hesitated for a moment to give myself time to come up with an answer.

He was 6 years old and all I could think was: “This is my baby, and I do not want anything to happen to him.”

After considering, I told Henry, "Well, perhaps in a few years when you are bigger.” This bought me some time and made him happy.

A few years passed and he was ready, but was I? He asked me again to play football. I realized I had to let go of that overprotective attitude and let my child have the opportunity to try something new. I had to put my faith in God, and I had to have trust that the coaches would teach him right.

The football season started and a few tough tackles later I found myself facing a new challenge I hadn’t expected. My little football player had changed his mind. He wasn’t sure he wanted to play, because it was rough and a lot of hard work.

Sitting on the bench watching him struggle with the decision, my own heart was heavy as I watched him go through it. It was at that moment that I realized that football wasn’t about a game as much as it is about learning important life lessons – lessons not only for a boy but for a mother as well.

When the coaches learned of the struggle within my boy, I was touched by the concern they showed. They gave me sound advice on how to handle the situation, and they took immediate action on how they could remedy the problem.

They asked questions about what he was going through and how they could help. They cared enough about one little boy’s struggle because they realized how important each child is in building a team. Not just a team to play a game, a team of friends who will be together and rely on each other, hopefully, for a lifetime.

The coaches worked on finding a position that best suited his abilities. They worked with him through drills to build his fundamentals and his confidence to put his fears of tackling behind.

They encouraged him with praise for his efforts and told him that by remaining positive he could achieve his goals. Henry kept going to practice. He would make his decision to continue with football or not after the first game.

That first game came and went. Then the second game. Then the third. Finally, at the end of his first season, I have a boy who is taught by devoted, caring coaches who has fallen in love with football. He has made a whole team worth of friends and has learned that working hard and sticking with something has its rewards.

All of which he will carry with him forever.

I have learned that sometimes we, as parents, have to let go of our own fears in order for our children to grow into the people they want to become. I will be forever grateful to those who volunteer their time, energy, spirit, humor, wisdom, grace, patience and understanding to teach children and help them grow to be the best that they can be.