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"I'm gonna be honest with you.  For one, sectional and regional competitions don't just pop up in a random season and generally are consistent pretty much to the week every year.  All it takes is a Google search for your state's high school athletic association schedules for this year, or even last year's as a reference.  Ultimately, should he be the one to print it out and stick it on the fridge?  Yeah, I'd say so, and that's a lesson learned for his part.  But it really doesn't take an abundance of involvement or interest to take some initiative making yourself vaguely aware as well.     \nAs much as I'm not the biggest fan of a lot of the ethics behind it, excelling in high school athletics are for many the key to 1) college at all and 2) college without a mountain of debt.  I won't assume your financial situation relative to his prospective admission, but insofar as he may aspire to independently and affordably make his way through college, I'd really avoid scheduling significant life events during or in proximity to what are common knowledge or easily searchable competitive events that would allow him to improve his rankings and, even better, get scouted.  Ideally, probably don't schedule them during the school year at all if you can avoid it.  Even if he's got training camp, there's typically going to be enough time in the summer to traverse.   \nI don't say it to pull the legs off a spider.  There's nothing either of you can do about it now, and I'll definitely echo the others commending his decision.  I think anyone would be proud.  He may very well have other opportunities.  And really, assuming he indeed would be destined to fill out a FASFA and apply for grants just like everyone else, it'd probably be easier for him to look back and chalk it up to never knowing on account of making the right decision to be there for his mother than if he were to get bested in front of a crowd during regionals.  Guess my biggest takeaways would be:   \n1. Realize what you no longer have control over and forgive yourself. \n2. Enjoy your wedding \n3. Give the bartender a nod just once when your son goes up for a soda refill (Obviously, I'm kidding... kinda) \n4. Just be a bit more cognizant of the very general seasonal structure of commitments he's passionate about and which could have a very tangible impact on his future   \nAgain not being an ass just for the sake of it.  Just a bit believer in not leaving a lesson to waste if there's one to be learned.  Sincere congrats on both your upcoming wedding and, at least by this account, having raised a very fine young man. "
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