I came to watch my DC play his game, not talk to you

[Anonymous]

I can't believe you've gotten to where you are in life and haven't figured this out.

[Anonymous]

have your kid play travel if possible, or club. My DD has played travel, club, CYO, House (Rec)…no one talks during travel, and very few during club. CYO--chat-chat-chat and pass the latest baby around, and we all tell each other what happened when we miss our kids' shot

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents of my DC's ball team are very, very chatty. I just want to go watch my child play and try to be polite but not initiate conversations, but I've missed plays my son has made because some other parent is telling me about their job, divorce, etc.

I've tried standing at the fences, but my other DCs want to sit in the bleachers.

Any helpful techniques? DH suggests I should wear headphones, but I think this would look weird considering I have other DCs with me. DH is usually on the field with the players.

OP, you mention in a later post that you have DCs who are older than your ballplayer. Aren't they old enough to sit in the bleachers if they like, while you bring a chair and sit by the fence or wherever, as long as you can eyeball them from a distance? If you had younger kids, yeah, I can see the issue, but if they're old enough, let them sit in the bleachers without you.

If --whatever age they are -- they would be goofing off and creating issues without you there....well, take a chair anyway and TELL the kids, we're sitting over here, not in the bleachers. Issue solved. Sorry, DCs, we're sitting where mom wants and not where you want. You make the final call here, mom.

I also like the post by the person who suggested you arrive early enough to chat with those parents who regularly seem to want to chat to you. Doesn't hurt to invest in some social time with parents of teammates. Then you can simply say, "OK, the game's getting started -- the kids are I are going to sit where we can see Child. See you after the game." Then beat a retreat to your spot.

[Anonymous]

wow OP i'm surprised how much grief your post has gotten. i think there are a lot of defensive posters here! sit next to a dad -- best chance to "look social" if you care about that but to still have a chance to not listen to others the whole time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I definitely want to hang out with you! You sound awesome.

Or not.

Actually, I do want to hang out with you --

We can watch the kids, and yell "good effort, Joey" or whatever. You can watch my purse while I shoot some pictures.

[Anonymous]

OP I want to sit with you! We'll actually watch the game; make a few comments on it. Enjoy the game and the outdoors. You sound like a great mom and a great fan.

[Anonymous]

I'll get no sympathy here, but OP my ILs are the chatter boxes at my DCs game. Chatchatchat. DH, their son coaches so I get quite the earful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:wow OP i'm surprised how much grief your post has gotten. i think there are a lot of defensive posters here! sit next to a dad -- best chance to "look social" if you care about that but to still have a chance to not listen to others the whole time.

Don't sit too close to that Dad. You'll be fodder for gossip by the other parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:wow OP i'm surprised how much grief your post has gotten. i think there are a lot of defensive posters here! sit next to a dad -- best chance to "look social" if you care about that but to still have a chance to not listen to others the whole time.

Don't sit too close to that Dad. You'll be fodder for gossip by the other parents.

+1000

[Anonymous]

I am not fond of many of the other parents on my son's team. We don't have much in common. I say hello, talk to people for a few minutes at the start and then go sit in my own chair. A few other parents who prefer to watch sit near me.

Best thing I read about sports on DCUM is to say to your kid, "I love to watch you play!" And in my case, I do.

[Anonymous]

I agree. I wish these peopel would shut up.

[Anonymous]

Do you have the classic asshole BMW driving chatty dad/mom with the fake smile, gripping the Starbucks cup for dear life who won't stop talking to even take a breath for the love of christ? Yeah. You cannot tune these people out. They bait you with endless questions about where you'll be 'summering' and what school will junior be attending next year. You want to kill them. You cannot redirect their conversation. They're narcissists. You have to buy a chair and a blanket and position yourself at a distance from them and cheer loudly and carry on with your life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have the classic asshole BMW driving chatty dad/mom with the fake smile, gripping the Starbucks cup for dear life who won't stop talking to even take a breath for the love of christ? Yeah. You cannot tune these people out. They bait you with endless questions about where you'll be 'summering' and what school will junior be attending next year. You want to kill them. You cannot redirect their conversation. They're narcissists. You have to buy a chair and a blanket and position yourself at a distance from them and cheer loudly and carry on with your life.

They're narcissists for having a conversation with you? You actually just come across as completely envious.


Good thing everyone on my DS's team drives Audis.

[Anonymous]

I wear headphones. It's been a running joke on our travel team for years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just don't look at people when they talk. That's what I do at Nats games. You can still carry on a conversation while watching the game.

I'm not sure how the OP hasn't figured out how to do this yet, but it's all you need to do. It's okay if you're not 100 percent focused on the conversation, even. Just keep your eyes on the game, feel free to interrupt with cheering or encouragement, and you're set. A parent who expects someone at a kid's game to stop watching and pay full attention to them has unreasonable expectations.