Tips For Killing Time At Soccer Practice

Tis the season for Fall afterschool sports and lessons to resume. We don't know how our parents did it, killing hours at the soccer field or dance lessons waiting for us to get done. Perhaps they passed the time reading actual books or, (yikes!) talking to other parents. We're just happy we live in the age of smart phones and personal electronics. Pull up your lawn chairs and blankets, we've got your top tech tips for being productive while you're at kids' soccer practice.

1. iPhone, iPad, iPod: Load up that "i" device with Facebook and Twitter, and keep tabs on your real and virtual friends. An internet radio app like Pandora (tuned to the "Styx" station, trust us), and a pair of headphones will provide the background music. Get in some learning listening to podcasts on a variety of subjects using iTunes. (We recommend the Ricky Gervais' guides on a variety of subjects from natural history to medicine.) Use banking and finance apps to get caught up on your back-to-school budgeting or holiday planning. With Apple's iPhone/iPod apps, the boredom-killing possibilities are endless.

2. Bring your laptop and digital camera (or video camera) and finally download and organize your photos from this summer. Or last summer.

3. Take the time to load and update all of your calendars. Grab the school calendar and input all the important dates, then sync your personal, kids, and work calendars at once. Take the time and every practice to do this and you won't miss a meeting, school pick up, or conference all year.

4. Browse recipe sites, meal-plan, and make your grocery lists for week. We like CityMama and This Week for Dinner for recipes and inspiration. Search the "meal plans" in the Apple App store for further kitchen organizational help.

5. Get in a work out while your kids are working out. The Couch to 5k app will have you running a 5k in 9 weeks, even if you've never run a day in your life. We know, because we've done it!

6. Why not get a head start on your holiday cards? There never seems to be enough time to sort through photos and put together a card. Don't wait until the last minute. Now that your photos are organized, use a DIY site like Tiny Prints to create your holiday masterpiece while you have some time to kill.

7. With your Wifi-enabled laptop or smart phone, you can indulge your guilty pleasures. Catch up on your favorite TV shows, read the latest goss, or browse beauty tutorials on YouTube.

8. Bring along a digital reader, a Thermos filled with your favorite beverage, and some snacks, and pretend you're on the beach. A cold, windy beach.

And there you have it! Our favorite tips for killing boredom at the soccer field or at dance practice.  And remember, when all else fails, there's always sit in the car and nap.

For the next four weeks, we've lined up bloggers from our Clever 1000 network to write about their back-to-school challenges. Each week, they'll present a different problem and look to you to help solve it. If you offer up the winning solution, not only will the blogger try it out and let us all know how it goes, but you'll win $250 cash!

"Clever Ideas for Mom Bloggers" Weekly Prize $250 Visa gift card:
Every Tuesday we'll have a new post from a Clever 1000 blogger, asking for your help with a back-to-school challenge. You share your ideas in the comments, and she'll pick the solution that works best for her family. Look for all of the details on the weekly posts.

"Back-to-School Tech Wishes Come True" Grand Prize $500 Best Buy card:
In addition to getting your ideas to help the three bloggers, we also want to help you get a jump on the new school year, and make your back to school wishes come true. 

Maybe a new phone, an iPad, or a color printer would get your year off to a great start? Tell us about your back-to-school technology wish list in the comments of this post, and on September 15, 2010, we'll pick one winner at random to receive a $500 Best Buy giftcard!

See more from Clever Girls Collective:

Back To School 2.0 Enter to Win!

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Clever Girls Collective is a social media marketing agency founded by women who wanted to use their deep marketing experience and broad social network relationships for good. We know that women who engage in social media are some of the most authentic, connected, trusted, and vocal influencers -- not only online, but "in real life." That's why we've developed The Clever 1000: an ever-growing, beautifully diverse network of professional, thoughtful social media-connected, natural networkers and influencers who want to engage with and enhance their favorite brands.