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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
 
| I need insight, advice, anything lol.
Last year I picked one series, and we would just run that one until it was done then we would choose another and go from there. My kids are really stepping up and are wanting to go more and as long as they're wanting to go down the road that is what we will do. But how do you handle being gone every weekend, practicing every night juggling schoolwork and school functions for them, and housework and just life in general? I feel like a hamster in a wheel some days lol just running and running and getting nowhere. Hubby and I love it and the kids love it, but holy moly I think that I need some tricks of the trade!! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Rodeo dad here, not a mom. I actually put considerably more time in to it than my wife actually (I handle practice). It's tough, I work full time and farm. You have to let some things go, and try not to worry about it. We follow one association, 100%. The others have conflicting dates with the one we follow. We miss enough of their rodeos, that the kids wouldn't be competitive. We still attend rodeos in atleast 3 other associations, and are gone about 20 weekends a year. If the kids didn't practice, or didn't enjoy traveling, we just wouldn't go. As long as they enjoy it, and are practicing we'll keep going. I'm surprised you didn't mention expense. If your talking about actual rodeos, that's for more expensive than just speed events. We do every event. Have to maintain a roping pen, cattle, extra horses, extra entry fees. I've kept up with it, even opened a seperate bank account just to be able to track it more easily. I can't even believe how expensive it is. | |
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Location: Texas | Bigfoot - 2015-04-27 6:33 AM Rodeo dad here, not a mom. I actually put considerably more time in to it than my wife actually (I handle practice). It's tough, I work full time and farm. You have to let some things go, and try not to worry about it. We follow one association, 100%. The others have conflicting dates with the one we follow. We miss enough of their rodeos, that the kids wouldn't be competitive. We still attend rodeos in atleast 3 other associations, and are gone about 20 weekends a year. If the kids didn't practice, or didn't enjoy traveling, we just wouldn't go. As long as they enjoy it, and are practicing we'll keep going. I'm surprised you didn't mention expense. If your talking about actual rodeos, that's for more expensive than just speed events. We do every event. Have to maintain a roping pen, cattle, extra horses, extra entry fees. I've kept up with it, even opened a seperate bank account just to be able to track it more easily. I can't even believe how expensive it is.
It's tough but I love it!
We own and operate a cattle ranch, which is full time, our boys team rope and ranch rodeo, hubs ropes and I barrel race, sometimes.. Lol
The best advice I can give is try to get the family in a general routine. Ex. Homework is done before they can go to the barn or practice. The kids can only ride until 8:00pm during the school year.
We follow TYRRA religiously, on open weekends we either go to a roping or barrel race. We do spend many weekends away from home, as a family, we love it and make it work.
The expense to have a kid(s) who rodeo is INSANE. My kids definitely have much nicer things then I had as a child, but as long as they work hard at it, keep a good attitude and level head, I will happily support them. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
| Bigfoot - 2015-04-27 5:33 AM
Rodeo dad here, not a mom. I actually put considerably more time in to it than my wife actually (I handle practice). It's tough, I work full time and farm. You have to let some things go, and try not to worry about it. We follow one association, 100%. The others have conflicting dates with the one we follow. We miss enough of their rodeos, that the kids wouldn't be competitive. We still attend rodeos in atleast 3 other associations, and are gone about 20 weekends a year. If the kids didn't practice, or didn't enjoy traveling, we just wouldn't go. As long as they enjoy it, and are practicing we'll keep going. I'm surprised you didn't mention expense. If your talking about actual rodeos, that's for more expensive than just speed events. We do every event. Have to maintain a roping pen, cattle, extra horses, extra entry fees. I've kept up with it, even opened a seperate bank account just to be able to track it more easily. I can't even believe how expensive it is.
Oops sorry rodeo Parents would probably be a better title 
It is definitely not a cheap sport! Thanks for your response I had never thought about a seoerate account. | |
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Location: Texas | Just remember and accept that you cannot be everywhere at once; you may have leave early so you can show up late, or may even miss a conflicting activity. But, life goes on.... Don't sweat the small stuff!
Also, don't forget to soak up these precious moments, we won't ever get to re-live them. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
| EqualRanch - 2015-04-27 5:57 AM
Bigfoot - 2015-04-27 6:33 AM Rodeo dad here, not a mom. I actually put considerably more time in to it than my wife actually (I handle practice). It's tough, I work full time and farm. You have to let some things go, and try not to worry about it. We follow one association, 100%. The others have conflicting dates with the one we follow. We miss enough of their rodeos, that the kids wouldn't be competitive. We still attend rodeos in atleast 3 other associations, and are gone about 20 weekends a year. If the kids didn't practice, or didn't enjoy traveling, we just wouldn't go. As long as they enjoy it, and are practicing we'll keep going. I'm surprised you didn't mention expense. If your talking about actual rodeos, that's for more expensive than just speed events. We do every event. Have to maintain a roping pen, cattle, extra horses, extra entry fees. I've kept up with it, even opened a seperate bank account just to be able to track it more easily. I can't even believe how expensive it is.
It's tough but I love it!
We own and operate a cattle ranch, which is full time, our boys team rope and ranch rodeo, hubs ropes and I barrel race, sometimes.. Lol
The best advice I can give is try to get the family in a general routine. Ex. Homework is done before they can go to the barn or practice. The kids can only ride until 8:00pm during the school year.
We follow TYRRA religiously, on open weekends we either go to a roping or barrel race. We do spend many weekends away from home, as a family, we love it and make it work.
The expense to have a kid(s) who rodeo is INSANE. My kids definitely have much nicer things then I had as a child, but as long as they work hard at it, keep a good attitude and level head, I will happily support them.
I'm so glad the days are getting longer, we quit for the winter and I feel like we lost our mojo, I'm having a hard time balancing everything lol | |
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Location: Texas | wild_west - 2015-04-27 7:59 AM EqualRanch - 2015-04-27 5:57 AM Bigfoot - 2015-04-27 6:33 AM Rodeo dad here, not a mom. I actually put considerably more time in to it than my wife actually (I handle practice). It's tough, I work full time and farm. You have to let some things go, and try not to worry about it. We follow one association, 100%. The others have conflicting dates with the one we follow. We miss enough of their rodeos, that the kids wouldn't be competitive. We still attend rodeos in atleast 3 other associations, and are gone about 20 weekends a year. If the kids didn't practice, or didn't enjoy traveling, we just wouldn't go. As long as they enjoy it, and are practicing we'll keep going. I'm surprised you didn't mention expense. If your talking about actual rodeos, that's for more expensive than just speed events. We do every event. Have to maintain a roping pen, cattle, extra horses, extra entry fees. I've kept up with it, even opened a seperate bank account just to be able to track it more easily. I can't even believe how expensive it is. It's tough but I love it!
We own and operate a cattle ranch, which is full time, our boys team rope and ranch rodeo, hubs ropes and I barrel race, sometimes.. Lol
The best advice I can give is try to get the family in a general routine. Ex. Homework is done before they can go to the barn or practice. The kids can only ride until 8:00pm during the school year.
We follow TYRRA religiously, on open weekends we either go to a roping or barrel race. We do spend many weekends away from home, as a family, we love it and make it work.
The expense to have a kid(s) who rodeo is INSANE. My kids definitely have much nicer things then I had as a child, but as long as they work hard at it, keep a good attitude and level head, I will happily support them. I'm so glad the days are getting longer, we quit for the winter and I feel like we lost our mojo, I'm having a hard time balancing everything lol
If winter would have lasted much longer, I would be in a padded room right now. My boys were driving me crazy wanting to go practice and rope the dummy, I finally told them, if y'all swing another rope in this house there won't be any rodeos the rest of the year. Lol
We are slowly getting back into our "groove" despite our arena looking like a lake.  On the bright side, summer break will be here in a few short weeks and I might be more excited than my boys! Lol | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1074
| We LOVE it! It's very tough. We have a routine we get in and stick to it. Homework is done as quickly after school as possible, thankfully summer is coming soon. LOL! Housework is done here and there as needed. We make it work and yes you do feel like a hamster at times, but it's so worth it though! I'm glad that I am not the only one who feels this way. LOL! | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 464
| Winter ended, but we have been soaked in rain. Arena is a mud pit. One rodeo down for the spring. Kids did better than I expected given the situation. These situations are what frustrate me, but fall in the category of out of my control. I'm hoping we get in our arena later in the week. Catlle are bought, and we've ran out the pen, and in the stripping chute with 4 wheelers a few times. Been to wet for anything else. | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
| EqualRanch - 2015-04-27 8:04 AM
wild_west - 2015-04-27 7:59 AM EqualRanch - 2015-04-27 5:57 AM Bigfoot - 2015-04-27 6:33 AM Rodeo dad here, not a mom. I actually put considerably more time in to it than my wife actually (I handle practice). It's tough, I work full time and farm. You have to let some things go, and try not to worry about it. We follow one association, 100%. The others have conflicting dates with the one we follow. We miss enough of their rodeos, that the kids wouldn't be competitive. We still attend rodeos in atleast 3 other associations, and are gone about 20 weekends a year. If the kids didn't practice, or didn't enjoy traveling, we just wouldn't go. As long as they enjoy it, and are practicing we'll keep going. I'm surprised you didn't mention expense. If your talking about actual rodeos, that's for more expensive than just speed events. We do every event. Have to maintain a roping pen, cattle, extra horses, extra entry fees. I've kept up with it, even opened a seperate bank account just to be able to track it more easily. I can't even believe how expensive it is. It's tough but I love it!
We own and operate a cattle ranch, which is full time, our boys team rope and ranch rodeo, hubs ropes and I barrel race, sometimes.. Lol
The best advice I can give is try to get the family in a general routine. Ex. Homework is done before they can go to the barn or practice. The kids can only ride until 8:00pm during the school year.
We follow TYRRA religiously, on open weekends we either go to a roping or barrel race. We do spend many weekends away from home, as a family, we love it and make it work.
The expense to have a kid(s) who rodeo is INSANE. My kids definitely have much nicer things then I had as a child, but as long as they work hard at it, keep a good attitude and level head, I will happily support them. I'm so glad the days are getting longer, we quit for the winter and I feel like we lost our mojo, I'm having a hard time balancing everything lol
We are slowly getting back into our "groove" despite our arena looking like a lake. On the bright side, summer break will be here in a few short weeks and I might be more excited than my boys! Lol
Hahaha!!! I cleared out the garage and put the roping dummy's and tying dummy's out there!! I didn't think winter was ever going to end! But hallelujah its over! Now the wind is here lol | |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 597
| barrelrider - 2015-04-27 8:20 AM
We LOVE it! It's very tough. We have a routine we get in and stick to it. Homework is done as quickly after school as possible, thankfully summer is coming soon. LOL! Housework is done here and there as needed. We make it work and yes you do feel like a hamster at times, but it's so worth it though! I'm glad that I am not the only one who feels this way. LOL!
Thank God summer is almost here! I've honestly considered homeschooling because the drive into town takes so dang much of our lives up lol! | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| Now, I'm the rodeo kid, but my mom isn't on here. haha
My mom says as long as I continue to work hard, put money towards expenses, and put my horses as my top priority, then she will continue to help me fund it. My school work does suffer from both my job and barrel racing, but I'm still mostly an A/B/C student, top 30% of my class, and got accepted to a nice college.
I put a lot of work into it though, I go to school during the week, work Friday and Saturday nights from 11pm to 7am, go to barrel races usually from 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sundays, and sleep from 7am to 10am, then whenever I'm just sitting around at a race (after the horse has been watered, walked out, and relaxing back at the trailer), then from whenever I get the horse home until time to leave for work on Saturday nights. Definately no partying with friends, or getting into bad situations for me. haha My busy schedule keeps me out of trouble, that's for sure. My horse does get legged up by someone else since she is boarded 2 hours from me and it just isn't feasible to drive up there all the time, but that gives me time to do homework during the week, fill out scholarships, fill entry forms, work out my budget (I pay almost 100% of my entry fees, mom just pays the gas/bills. haha)
So yes, I let a lot of social event pass me by, I don't go to school events, heck, I tried to get my mom to let me skip graduation to go to a super show..... she shut that down and said that is one school event I have to go to! haha
ETA: While my friends are all at Prom this upcoming weekend, I'll be barrel racing, then going to work. haha
Edited by FlyingHigh1454 2015-04-27 7:54 PM
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| I'm a rodeo kid, and am SO thankful I am homeschooled. I practice every afternoon, and can keep 4 horses rode! I practice hard all winter and have a huge advantage going into the year, we pick and choose, but try to be committed to at least one association and then try to get to others. | |
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 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 340
| Another rodeo kid here! Or previous rodeo kid. My parent's aren't and never will be horse people. Ever. It makes it especially tough. We followed a play day association or two when I was younger, but the moment I could drive, my dad was more then happy to get me a truck so I could take myself. They funded what they could and I worked a few odd jobs to take care of it. Kept me out of trouble. As far as school social events, go to prom. Seriously. If you don't you'll regret it when you get older. Even if it's not for you, and you hate wearing dresses and took your cousin as your date like me, it wasn't the prom that was so fun, but after words, going to eat and just relaxing. Horses are stressful. Take a break and remind your kids of this. Rodeo is my life, especially now in college, but don't risk your lack of exposing yourself to other situations and people just because you want to stay in your safe zone of rodeo. Definitely my biggest high school regret was not being more involved in the Theater Arts program and a few others. | |
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Industrial Srength Barrel Racer
Posts: 7264
 
| RustyLove - 2015-04-27 10:36 PM
Another rodeo kid here! Or previous rodeo kid. My parent's aren't and never will be horse people. Ever. It makes it especially tough. We followed a play day association or two when I was younger, but the moment I could drive, my dad was more then happy to get me a truck so I could take myself. They funded what they could and I worked a few odd jobs to take care of it. Kept me out of trouble. As far as school social events, go to prom. Seriously. If you don't you'll regret it when you get older. Even if it's not for you, and you hate wearing dresses and took your cousin as your date like me, it wasn't the prom that was so fun, but after words, going to eat and just relaxing. Horses are stressful. Take a break and remind your kids of this. Rodeo is my life, especially now in college, but don't risk your lack of exposing yourself to other situations and people just because you want to stay in your safe zone of rodeo. Definitely my biggest high school regret was not being more involved in the Theater Arts program and a few others.
Even though I am an old fart, I second this advice, you will only be in high school once, this is one of the best times of your life. Experience as much of it as you can. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1131
| Been once, it was so lame. I would much rather be racing, this is our second favorite arena and it has a huge payout this weekend. Plus I have to work anyways, and I would much rather be foaling horses than watching the sluts grind on stupid boys who need to grow up. Pretty much whole prom experience. Haha and I even went with my boyfriend at the time, all we did was do stuff we should NOT have been doing, and party all night.
So it's not like I've never been, I went once and that is plenty enough for me. Plus the $400 we spent that year could've payed 2-3 entry fees. | |
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 Chicken Chick
Posts: 3562
Location: Texas | FlyingHigh1454 - 2015-04-28 12:21 PM Been once, it was so lame. I would much rather be racing, this is our second favorite arena and it has a huge payout this weekend. Plus I have to work anyways, and I would much rather be foaling horses than watching the sluts grind on stupid boys who need to grow up. Pretty much whole prom experience. Haha and I even went with my boyfriend at the time, all we did was do stuff we should NOT have been doing, and party all night. So it's not like I've never been, I went once and that is plenty enough for me. Plus the $400 we spent that year could've payed 2-3 entry fees.
Well alrighty then! | |
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 Saint Stacey
| It can be tough balancing everything. You need to figure out what's important and what isn't. My daughter missed her high school graduation for a rodeo. Her choice. All the kids at school were mad, told her it would be the biggest mistake of her life blah blah blah. She has never regretted the choice. For the last 3 years her college tuition has been about $750 a semester with the rodeo scholarships she was given. She did by far better in that area than any of the HS athletes. Biggest thing is a routine. Get in a routine and stick with it. Kids are young for a very short time and it flies by in the blink of an eye. If your house is a mess for a few years, oh well. You can clean when life slows down. These will be the best years of your life and theirs so don't sweat the small stuff. | |
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Veteran
Posts: 276
| I agree with others on the fact that it is tough, but it can be done. I think being organized and keeping on schedule is key. The lessons I learned from being extremely busy throughout those years (rodeoing, working part-time, getting good grades) I believe has helped me through college and starting my career. I don't have the attitude that "oh, I don't have enough time for this or that." I know that if I want to make certain things a priority, I can do them and accomplish anything. I feel like it gave me an attitude where no one can discourage me.
One thing that my parents did (take it or leave it) was not worry about "dead end" events when we were younger, if that makes sense. It did make it more difficult to win all-around titles, but we could not justify taking practice time away from barrels, poles, breakaway and goat tying in order to fit in events that we would only be using towards an all-around. We really didn't focus that much on poles either, since it was not an event sanctioned in college, but we just blessed with some really talented horses that succeeded in multiple events. | |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 794
| Don't worry about what your house looks like who will remember in 10 years if it was clean. But you can sure bet in 10 year you kids will remember she practiced with them or went to a horse show with them. | |
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 Ms. Elvis
Posts: 9606
Location: Running barrels or watching nascar | SKM - 2015-04-28 11:35 AM
It can be tough balancing everything. You need to figure out what's important and what isn't. My daughter missed her high school graduation for a rodeo. Her choice. All the kids at school were mad, told her it would be the biggest mistake of her life blah blah blah. She has never regretted the choice. For the last 3 years her college tuition has been about $750 a semester with the rodeo scholarships she was given. She did by far better in that area than any of the HS athletes. Biggest thing is a routine. Get in a routine and stick with it. Kids are young for a very short time and it flies by in the blink of an eye. If your house is a mess for a few years, oh well. You can clean when life slows down. These will be the best years of your life and theirs so don't sweat the small stuff.
I got a lot of flack from my classmates about senior prom. I just don't care about dressing up for one lousy night! | |
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Rodeo Moms