When my son Bradley woke up on Sunday, he couldn’t have been more excited. 

It was game day as his Levittown Red Devils were set to take on their arch rival, a team that they haven’t been able to beat in recent years, including a heartbreaking loss in the league semifinals two years ago. 

As Bradley looked out the window of our home, the smile on his face ran from ear to ear when he realized that the weather forecast was right on the nose.

No, it wasn’t a bright sunny day on Long Island, nor was it an overcast day with comfortable football conditions. Bradley was all pumped up because, as expected, it was pouring.

In seven seasons of playing youth football, he had played on really hot days, cold days and just about everything in-between. There had been days with no precipitation and a couple of days with a light drizzle.

But never the downpour that was taking place on Sunday. We’ve watched games together on television, college and NFL, where the elements made for a great visual while sitting on a coach in our warm den. But Bradley always wanted to play in a game like that, whether it was heavy rain or a snowstorm.

The football gods granted him his wish on Sunday because rain, heavy at times, was in the forecast all day long. But while Bradley, as well as many other youth football players around the country, was excited about the opportunity to play in the elements, such a situation causes challenges and responsibilities for parents.

Here are some ways parents can help prepare their child for a game in cold, inclement weather:

• Dress appropriately. Make sure your child is prepared to play in the elements whether the forecast calls for cold temperatures, wind, or precipitation. A long sleeve shirt under the jersey is a smart move, particularly if it’s really cold. You might even want to think about a second layer under the football pants. If your child is the quarterback or center, a small towel tucked inside the pants can help keep the ball as dry as possible in the rain or snow.
• Stay warm and dry in the pre-game. Since players are generally required to be at the field at a certain time before the start of the game, the possibility for some down time exists if you arrive early. If you have to be at the field an hour before game time and you arrive earlier than that, stay in the car until the required time or even later, until you see other players or coaches. There’s no reason to spend any more time than you have to in the cold or elements.
• Find a covered area before warmups. If the league has a weight limit and your child might be close to the limit, standing out in the rain any longer than necessary could pose a problem during the weigh-in. I’ve seen instances where kids who were within the weight limit the morning of the game couldn’t make weight because the uniforms and equipment wound up being heavier because of the rain. You might want to talk to the coach about it if your child is near the weight limit. He might just tell you to keep your child in the car or under cover until the weight in, just to be safe.
• Cover up on the sideline. Since only 11 players can be on the field at any one time, there are going to be kids on the sideline that are just standing around, sitting, or taking a knee while the game is going on. A good idea is to give them a jacket to wear over their equipment when they’re not in the game. Also, they should be paying attention to the game and it will be easier for them to do so if they’re comfortable. Teams can consider purchasing a tent to keep the kids dry. To go a step further, I’ve even seen some teams with a heater on the sideline for kids if it’s really cold.
• Make it a warm ride home. After a game in the cold or the elements, make sure your child takes off that jersey and shoulder pads when you get back to the car. If your child is soaking wet and you have a short drive home, you’re in good shape since your child will go straight into the shower and then into dry clothes. If you have a long ride home, bring a change of clothes. If there is a chance to stop somewhere, like a restaurant, hotel, or even a friend or family member’s home on the way, give your child the chance to get out of those wet clothes. If it was just cold outside, crank up the heat in the car but also have a warm blanket ready. The last thing you want the day after a game is a trip to the doctor.

On Sunday morning, a few people asked my wife Sheryl if Bradley was really going to play in a monsoon like that. Her answer, like it is any time it rains for a game or practice, is genius and it generally quiets those who ask the question.

“This is football,” says my wife, any time she is asked about the elements. “It’s not beach volleyball!”

Football is played in all kinds of weather. The only thing that can really prevent games from taking place, especially those involving kids, is thunder and lightning.  So it’s important to keep your child prepared, safe, and warm when Mother Nature wants a 50-yard line seat.

Peter Schwartz is an anchor and reporter for the CBS Sports Radio Network. He also writes a CBS New York sports blog at http://newyork.cbslocal.com/tag/peter-schwartz/. You can follow him on Twitter @pschwartzcbsfan. Peter’s son Bradley plays for the Levittown Red Devils of the Nassau Suffolk Football League on Long Island in New York. His son Jared cheers on Bradley and then Bradley returns the favor when Jared is playing soccer.