Hi, I’m Sidney, a Canadian sports mom who has spent more hours than I can count in pool bleachers and dance competition hallways. I’ve packed the snack bags, hunted for an outlet during a nine-hour swim meet, and learned the hard way what you actually need (and what just takes up space in the car).
The Packed Parent grew out of that. Sports parenting is half logistics: every sport has its own gear, its own schedule and its own way of draining your patience and your wallet. This site is where I sort it out, with packing lists, gear guides and checklists that help you show up prepared.
You’ll see a lot of hockey here. Rinks are newer territory for me, so I do what any organized sports mom does: I research hard. I read the specs, dig through real owner reviews, ask hockey families what they actually use, and only recommend things that solve a real problem, like cold bleachers, smelly bags and 6 a.m. ice times. When advice comes from my own swim or dance years, I’ll say so.
How this site is funded: some links are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what I recommend. (Link “affiliate links” to your Affiliate Disclosure page.)
Got a question, or gear you think I should look at? Email hello@thepackedparent.com.