Canopy mom - WWYD

[Anonymous]

Yes, her reaction was crazy and over the top but try giving her the benefit of the doubt (until you see whether it’s a pattern); maybe she was having a bad day or was really tired and handling it badly, or whatever, who knows. I would try to be pleasant by approaching her and commiserating about the hassle of bringing out a canopy when it wasn’t needed and apologizing for the miscommunication (yes, I know you did nothing wrong, but it’s an olive branch). I would offer to let her be the backup and you be the primary (emphasize you mean only if she wants to do this) because your husband doesn’t mind bringing it from the car. If she’s still a bitch, then move on, really, who cares.

[Anonymous]

She must be a person who doesn't think it's rude or inappropriate to express herself this way. I've met many people like this. They vent out loud because they're extroverted and emotional, but aren't really mad at you.

At least, I hope it's that, otherwise you have a loony on your team!

[Anonymous]

set your canopy up on the parents side and sit under it. if the kids eventually need it, walk it over to them. problem solved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, her reaction was crazy and over the top but try giving her the benefit of the doubt (until you see whether it’s a pattern); maybe she was having a bad day or was really tired and handling it badly, or whatever, who knows. I would try to be pleasant by approaching her and commiserating about the hassle of bringing out a canopy when it wasn’t needed and apologizing for the miscommunication (yes, I know you did nothing wrong, but it’s an olive branch). I would offer to let her be the backup and you be the primary (emphasize you mean only if she wants to do this) because your husband doesn’t mind bringing it from the car. If she’s still a bitch, then move on, really, who cares.

+1
This. You never know what people are going through. I've had work colleagues and other parents snap at me or be rude and later I find out something terrible has happened in their lives -- relative died or got diagnosed with a serious medical issue, spouse cheated, news of a financial problem. Be the good person in this scenario. Email her and apologize for the miscommunication. Suggest you set up a schedule or offer your husband to help carry the thing. Once I had a mom look like she was about to cry after dragging something very heavy to a game. I was confused by her reaction, but it turns out her husband is a good-for-nothing lazy jerk and all the other husbands were the ones carrying the equipment for the other boys. It was more of an emotional reaction, and she was a little thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Mom of an ecnl player. Canopy is huge and a great thing to have. It is much hotter in turf and kids benefit greatly. We have had the extra canopy come up and you just make it work for parents. This should not be an argument at all. I would nip this in the bud ASAP or you will have a longggg year and it is still September. Team manager should handle with a group email.

Can you explain why you introduced yourself as "mom of an ECNL player"? Does this mean your opinion should matter more? I'm not saying I disagree with your post, I just don't get the introduction. Thanks

[Anonymous]

She's an asshat, ignore and do what you want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom of an ecnl player. Canopy is huge and a great thing to have. It is much hotter in turf and kids benefit greatly. We have had the extra canopy come up and you just make it work for parents. This should not be an argument at all. I would nip this in the bud ASAP or you will have a longggg year and it is still September. Team manager should handle with a group email.

Can you explain why you introduced yourself as "mom of an ECNL player"? Does this mean your opinion should matter more? I'm not saying I disagree with your post, I just don't get the introduction. Thanks

Maybe the OP wanted to indicate that there are ahole parents at every level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait. Let me get this straight. There are grown adults getting ticked off about bring a canopy down from the car and other adults caring that the first parent is ticked off?

I totally believe it. I offended another mom in a similar situation by just trying to help like OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom of an ecnl player. Canopy is huge and a great thing to have. It is much hotter in turf and kids benefit greatly. We have had the extra canopy come up and you just make it work for parents. This should not be an argument at all. I would nip this in the bud ASAP or you will have a longggg year and it is still September. Team manager should handle with a group email.

Can you explain why you introduced yourself as "mom of an ECNL player"? Does this mean your opinion should matter more? I'm not saying I disagree with your post, I just don't get the introduction. Thanks

Studies show that use of a canopy provide ECNL players a 10% greater likelihood of a college scholarship.

[Anonymous]

Bring scissors and cut up her tent...Just trying to lighten up her load!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Mom of an ecnl player. Canopy is huge and a great thing to have. It is much hotter in turf and kids benefit greatly. We have had the extra canopy come up and you just make it work for parents. This should not be an argument at all. I would nip this in the bud ASAP or you will have a longggg year and it is still September. Team manager should handle with a group email.

Can you explain why you introduced yourself as "mom of an ECNL player"? Does this mean your opinion should matter more? I'm not saying I disagree with your post, I just don't get the introduction. Thanks

Studies show that use of a canopy provide ECNL players a 10% greater likelihood of a college scholarship.

ECNL = Elite Canopy National League

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, her reaction was crazy and over the top but try giving her the benefit of the doubt (until you see whether it’s a pattern); maybe she was having a bad day or was really tired and handling it badly, or whatever, who knows. I would try to be pleasant by approaching her and commiserating about the hassle of bringing out a canopy when it wasn’t needed and apologizing for the miscommunication (yes, I know you did nothing wrong, but it’s an olive branch). I would offer to let her be the backup and you be the primary (emphasize you mean only if she wants to do this) because your husband doesn’t mind bringing it from the car. If she’s still a bitch, then move on, really, who cares.

+1
This. You never know what people are going through. I've had work colleagues and other parents snap at me or be rude and later I find out something terrible has happened in their lives -- relative died or got diagnosed with a serious medical issue, spouse cheated, news of a financial problem. Be the good person in this scenario. Email her and apologize for the miscommunication. Suggest you set up a schedule or offer your husband to help carry the thing. Once I had a mom look like she was about to cry after dragging something very heavy to a game. I was confused by her reaction, but it turns out her husband is a good-for-nothing lazy jerk and all the other husbands were the ones carrying the equipment for the other boys. It was more of an emotional reaction, and she was a little thing.

+1 Benefit of the doubt, just once more and if she's still bitchy, then move on.

And the canopy is a great idea. This week we were frying out in the sun and fighting for shade under the only tree. The kids were out in the full sun, running, with no respite. A canopy would have been fantastic.

[Anonymous]

Don’t kow-tow to @$$holes. She was totally in the wrong and should be the one apologizing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She sounds like a complete b@tch.

Welcome to the world of Soccer Moms.

OP! Just laugh it off. Take the high road. Be friendly and cordial with this bitch! Ha! She's a fool.

Just think: a quick way to figure out who you'll never befriend.

And, soccer parents are so strange and hyper competitive. I just go to games and sit by myself or with DH. We're on a new team this year. Moms love to sidle up and start asking all about my DC; teams played, coaches, other sports, future plans...get over yourselves, parents. And it's the moms. Always the moms.

OP here. We have been very lucky - we are on the “B” team for both kids. The other son, who has been on travel longer, has a great team & team parents. Every one is there to cheer for the kid - not coach them, not criticize them. Really a great group. We’ve had a couple the “A” team kids sub in for us when we were short players a couple times, and those parents are hyper-competitive and - in front of all the kids - were saying what bad players they were. I have no desire for my son to make the “A” team. And as whole, the parents on my son’s team cheer up other kids when they are feeling down. One kid yesterday got chewed out by the coach (he did screw up...) but after the game I made sure to tell him what a great play he had when he did x (not the part where he screwed up). And all the parents are like that.
Being new to this team I don’t know the parent dynamics and want to stay on everyone’s good side. I’m there to cheer for the kids - not create parent drama or gossip on who isn’t playing well. So good advice - I’ll just sit by myself and cheer on the team.

OP, try ear buds too. Sends a clear message. DS has been both A and B and I also prefer the B atmosphere. As far as canopy mom goes, wtf. Stay far far away.

[Anonymous]

And, soccer parents are so strange and hyper competitive. I just go to games and sit by myself or with DH. We're on a new team this year. Moms love to sidle up and start asking all about my DC; teams played, coaches, other sports, future plans...get over yourselves, parents. And it's the moms. Always the moms.

Maybe some of them are just trying to make conversation and show an interest in your kid. We're on the second to bottom team in our league, and I try to ask people about other teams, sports, kids' interests to be friendly, not because I'm trying to compete with them. No one on this team is likely going much of anywhere, soccer wise, but it would be nice to know about each other and try to become friends.