The Best Kept Secret Blog - Soccer Moms

My husband and I couldn't help exchanging a smirk or two last Wednesday night watching Vice-Presidential candidate Sarah Palin address the Republican Convention.

Though she garnered quite the applause describing herself as a proud hockey mom, in our household, we look down upon such things. I in particular think that I'm as far removed from those fleece wearing, van driving women who shepherd their spawn to sports arenas and athletic events as the earth is to the moon.

With my university degree and subscription to The Economist, I like to believe that I'm meant for finer things.

Well yes, I do drive a ubiquitous silver mini-van. And, if truth be told, my Lulu Lemon sweat pants are just so darn easy to pull on in the morning but really, I am not of soccer mom ilk.

Okay, if you press me I will admit that I have a young 'un who plays soccer but I still stand firm, I'm not a soccer mom.

Why just this weekend while I sat through five games at my daughter's tournament, I engaged the other parents in a lively and interesting debate on hip and happening restaurants around town.

Unfortunately our discussion was cut short because I was on snack duty and I was bound and determined to show a few of the uppity, fellow-moms just who knew a thing or two about nutritious homemade treats. (Their faces were positively green with envy when I told them I had slipped spinach into the brownies.)

And can I help it if it poured rain on the second day of the tournament? So I stood there getting soaking wet despite my fleece sweater. I didn't have anything else on the go.

I must say I resented the look on my husband's face when the other team scored a goal. He seemed almost incredulous that I would call the opposing team's star forward a horrid little skank but that's what she is. Really.

And of course I cheered when our kids kicked one into the opponent's net. That's just what you do at these things - I was only blending in. As to my husband's assertion that I cared more about winning than the kids did, well, he's just completely wrong. Why when our team lost the final game, I only sobbed for a minute or two.

So Sarah Palin, you embrace your hockey mom image. I will never be like you. Go ahead and campaign for Vice-President of the United States. I have better things to do with my time. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to teach my daughter how to do a serious head butt.