The team bus era has officially begun, and I’m not sure I’m ready for it.
Well, it happened. My son made a travel hockey team, and apparently that means he’s becoming independent.
Excuse me? When did we agree to this? 😂
For years, hockey has been OUR thing. The long drives, hotel stays, early mornings, Tim Hortons stops, and weekends spent freezing in arenas.
Now he travels on a team bus, stays at a hotel with his teammates, and gets to experience a whole new level of independence.
And me? Oh, I’m still going to the games. You didn’t think I’d miss watching him play, did you? Not a chance!
But it’s different now.
After the game, he comes over, gives me a hug, we chat for a few minutes, and then off he goes again with his teammates.
And there I am, watching him leave.
I’m so happy for him, but there’s a little part of me that feels like I’m being left out of something we’ve shared together for so many years.
Nobody warns you about that part of being a hockey mom.
Independent? Let’s Not Get Carried Away.
Because while he’s apparently old enough to travel without me, guess who’s still packing his entire life into a suitcase?
ME. Obviously.
Clothes, toiletries, phone charger, snacks for the bus, extra snacks because teenage hockey players are ALWAYS hungry, and every little thing he might possibly need.
I carefully organize everything into packing cubes and explain exactly where it all is.
“Socks in this compartment. Toiletries in this pouch. Extra clothes over here.”
He nods. I repeat myself. He nods again.
A few hours later, my phone buzzes.
“Mom, where are my socks?”
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? 😂
You have ONE bag. THREE compartments.
It’s not like you’re searching an entire house!
This kid can spot a puck flying across the ice but can’t locate socks I personally showed him two hours earlier.
My Hockey Mom Packing Hack
After years of hockey travel, I’ve finally figured out one thing that makes my life easier.
I keep his travel essentials packed ALL THE TIME.
Toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, basic first-aid supplies, and any approved medication he might need.
Everything stays in one dedicated hanging toiletry bag.
When he comes home, I replenish whatever he’s used, and it’s ready for the next trip.
Next tournament? Throw in clothes, refill the snacks, grab the phone charger, and DONE.
Well, almost done. There’s still the inevitable missing-socks emergency.
Honestly, packing cubes and a permanently stocked toiletry bag have saved me so much time.
Now, if someone could invent a suitcase that answers teenage boys when they ask where their stuff is, I’d buy that too.
The Part Nobody Prepares You For ❤️
All joking aside, this new chapter is bittersweet.
I love seeing him grow, become independent, and make memories with his teammates.
But I miss those little moments that used to belong to just us.
The conversations in the car. The laughs. The postgame food stops. Even the drives where he fell asleep before we left the parking lot.
I’m still there cheering at every game, probably louder than I should be.
But now, instead of leaving the arena together, I get my hug, watch him climb back onto the team bus, and head to my own hotel.
And I realize my little hockey boy is growing up right before my eyes.
I’m proud of him. So incredibly proud.
I just wish growing up didn’t happen quite so fast.
But I suppose as long as he still needs me to find his socks, I’m not completely out of a job. 😂❤️
Any other hockey moms going through the team-bus stage? Please tell me I’m not the only one finding this harder than expected!
My Hockey Travel Mom Must-Haves
- Packing cubes — So he knows exactly where everything is. In theory.
- Hanging toiletry bag — Keep it stocked and ready for every trip.
- Portable phone charger — Because I need that phone working!
- Travel snack organizer — Because apparently the bus ride requires a full grocery store.
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