I've spent 20 years raising 3 student athletes. Being a sports mom was both awful and rewarding.

Courtesy of Suzanne Hayes

• I spent decades waking up early and dedicating my life to being a sports mom.
• It wasn't easy; I often dreaded it, and it sometimes brought out the worst in me.
• Now that my sports-mom days are numbered, I realize how much I learned from the experience.

Being a sports parent is not for the faint of heart. It's a roller coaster ride of highs, lows, twists, and turns. After 20 years of being a mom to three athletes, I have learned that it is equally rewarding and challenging.