As kids compete at parks and gyms around Lawrence, an unsung hero sits in the stands. Where would youth athletes be without their mothers?

For starters, they would probably be calling a taxi or taking a lengthy hike to get to a practice or game.

“Sometimes you feel like a chauffer,” Christine Riley, mother of two, said.

A mother’s SUV, van or car are often the only modes of transportation for kids going to and coming from sporting activities.

Susan Campbell has three kids active in sports.

“It’s a lot of shuffling and a lot of cooperation,” she said of making sure her 11-year-old twins Addison and Danielle, and her son Cody, 15, are all where they need to be.

Campbell said the burden is lessened slightly right now because her twins play on the same soccer team.

“I’m not sure what we would do if all three of them were playing on different teams,” she said.

There are other responsibilities for sporting moms.

“It definitely requires a financial commitment,” Alee Phillips said. She has two kids, 4 and 6, who play soccer and tee ball and Phillips said costs include participation fees, shoes, equipment, uniforms and, of course, transportation.

While they are supporting their children financially, many mothers try to provide emotional support and make sure their kids learn about sportsmanship as well.

“I think the best thing to do is just encourage them to do their best,” Campbell said. “It’s difficult when you see parents out here screaming and yelling and just adamant about their kids being so good. I think as long as they have fun and they do their best you’re not going to burn them out.”

Phillips agreed.

“At our kids’ age we just completely focus on them having fun,” Phillips said. “You want to teach them that it’s fun and not a chore.”

And showing them how to deal with the other side of winning was also key.

“You have to be very supportive and teach your kids how to lose,” Riley added. “Good sportsmanship has to be above all.”

Moms have to be good sports, too. They don’t complain when much of their spare time is occupied by going to games.

“It’s time consuming. You find yourself not able to do a lot of the things that you would normally like to do,” Campbell said. “When somebody asks you, ‘What are your hobbies,’ your hobbies become your kids and sports. You don’t find yourself gardening or reading or any of the things that you would normally be doing.”

Not only do the mothers have to sacrifice time for themselves, other things are missed as well.

“It’s juggling my schedule, but it’s also juggling their schedule,” Riley said. “You give up a lot of your life. It is a chaotic schedule, a lot of missed family dinners.”

But moms don’t mind spending a Saturday or Sunday at the park.

“It’s fun. They like it, and we have fun hanging out,” Phillips said as she sat on a blanket with her two boys in between soccer games Saturday at Youth Sports Inc.

Riley said she uses sports as an opportunity to spend more time with her kids.

“Getting involved with them helps,” she said. “I think they look at you, hopefully, a little differently.”

She goes horseback riding with her daughter Micela, 9, and kicks the soccer ball around with her son Justin, 12.

Micela said she loves that her mom is involved.

“We get to do it together,” she said of sporting activities with her mother. “I like my mom and me together because she’s the favorite part of my life.”

Riley even joined a women’s soccer league to improve her soccer skills and better appreciate what her kids do on the field. She said that taught her to not be as boisterous during her children’s games.

“That teaches you to shut up really quick,” Riley said, “because you have so much admiration for what these kids do and the talent that they have because it is a very difficult sport and you really have to support them.”

Justin, who sometimes practices with his mom’s team, said he was happy for her newfound appreciation.

“She respects what I do on the field. Sometimes she yells at me (during games) and I just tell her to calm down and she respects what I say,” he said with a smile.

Moms enjoy watching their children succeed in sports. “Just watching them develop is the best thing for me,” Campbell said. “Watching them become passionate about something instead of sitting at home watching TV all the time.”

And the development of those players in the sport is also a bonus.

“It’s very rewarding to see how talented they’ve become,” Riley said.

Moments like those make all the sacrifices worthwhile for moms. Even if it means giving up their home life for the sporting life.

“Mother’s Day will be on the soccer field again this year,” Campbell said.