Every cloud has a silver lining.
Even in these unprecedented and uncertain times, there are positives that can be found and held on to. For Locomotive FC Midfielder Dylan Mares and a few other Locomotive players, that silver lining is the opportunity to spend more time with their family.
“It’s very rewarding,” Mares said. “Besides the offseason where we get to spend a lot of time together and travel and do those fun things, this is a little different. We are all stuck at home and get to be around each other a lot. There is a lot of opportunity throughout the day to spend quality time together and we’ve taken advantage of that. I’ve enjoyed it.”
The latest Locomotive FC signee has spent his time social distancing with his wife, Kimberly, finding ways to keep their two kids – their three-year-old son, Daxton, and one-year-old daughter, Enzly – entertained when going outside isn’t an option.
While his young girl has a carefree attitude and goes with the flow, Mares described his son as active and energetic, always wanting to go and do something. Without being able to go outside, Mares jokingly exclaimed that there is no real rest for him or his wife.
“It’s tough,” The seven-year pro noted. “I’m sure there are so many people dealing with this right now. Having to keep their kids entertained without letting them loose or for older kids telling them to go hang out with friends – they can’t really do that right now. It’s been difficult but every day is pretty similar. You try and get into a routine of some sort. Without being able to go out and do things it’s harder to educate them without just sitting down and giving them books. You have to come up with games at home you can try and play or maybe buy a few new puzzles. That’s been the most difficult thing really is trying to keep up with them and making sure they’re not just sitting their whining or just watching TV because we don’t want that either.”
Despite the challenges, Mares still welcomes the opportunity to have more time with his family and believes that others are taking advantage of this opportunity as well. As a professional soccer player, The Indiana native recognizes how lucky he is, being in an industry where he trains for four hours a day and then returns home. Except for travel for away games, Mares is able to spend time with his family that others may not have but still finds the benefit in having this time.
“It is rewarding because most people don’t get to spend this much time with their family,” Mares said. “People who have jobs 9-5, it could be both parents, they pick up their kids from school, have dinner with them and that’s it, they have this time.”
With all of the extra time at home and the future still fairly uncertain, Mares along with everyone else is taking each challenge one day at a time, focusing on the silver linings.
“Every day brings a little bit of something new,” Mares concluded. “Sometimes the mood changes and then you kind of have to gauge that and deal with how they are feeling that day. I’ve enjoyed it and my wife has certainly enjoyed me being home as much as I have been.”