If you don’t like football, what do you talk about with your teen son?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hear you, its a current obsession and sad that it could last into adulthood. I try to pivot around football to incorporate math and player stats, talk about pros and cons of how commercial sport has become and then encourage actually playing football building up fitness, etc. (running at the track, doing push ups, etc.)

You sound like a lot of fun🙄

[Anonymous]

I have two teen sons who are really into football. It’s s on all the time in my house. I joined a fantasy football team this year with them. I figured if you can’t beat them, join them. It’s more interesting when I’m somewhat invested in the outcome and they’ve been helping me with my picks.

But to answer your question: with one son right now, I talk about music, philosophy/school, relationships. With the other, fishing, camping and funny animal memes. With both: food/cooking, their sport, travel.

The key has been embracing their interests. I’ve gained an appreciation of fishing YouTube videos and have planned all kinds of outdoors trips with that kid. Other kid and I plan other travel and restaurants outings together. My sister jokes that I’ve become a total “boy mom” with my interests but I honestly enjoy learning anbout what they anre into, even if I did not have these interests pre-kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Meet him where he is. You learn with him and enjoy it through his eyes. Thats what I did when DS was into Pokemon, or Greek mythology, or animals, or diggers… you find out what they love about it and learn to love it too.

This is correct, and it is called being a parent.

The weird thing about team sports that most people, who do not like and/or never played team sports, is how much time and effort goes into choreographing movements. Football could easily be described as a series of violent/physical dance routines (plays) where you don’t know what your opposing partner is going to do.

No one not involved at a high level really understands what’s going on. But, you can learn the basics. A suggestion that provided a basic level of knowledge for me as a kid, and then later for my wife. (We bought season tickets to our undergrad college’s games.) Pick up an old game called NFL Strategy off eBay. Not expensive.

The game itself is obviously for football nerds and you and your son might play it. But, what it does do well is lay out the very basic principles of the sport in a visual way. It has cards that have plays drawn out like coaches do. The cards stack on each other so you can see how a particular offensive play looks when it is “called” against a particular called defensive play.

Now obviously it’s simplified because no actual people are involved. Coaches in real life use plays that try to take advantage of the skills of their best players, and limit the risks caused by their weakest players. And, of course, coaches work to anticipate and counter the opposing team’s strategies. But, the game gives you a very good visual of the basic strategies in the game.

Then - buy some tickets and go see some college football. Get there a couple of hours ahead of time. Grab some food at a place near campus and walk around. Enjoy the atmosphere.

[Anonymous]

Find something interesting about it. I am not a football fan - and neither are my husband or son - but I’m sure you can challenge yourself to learn about the sport. Millions upon millions are obsessed with it.

My mother couldn’t stand golf until my brother became an amazing “hole in one” level of golfer. They went to tournaments together, watched it on television, etc. She did it because she loves him and he loves the sport. She’s in her 80s and still follows it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Find something interesting about it. I am not a football fan - and neither are my husband or son - but I’m sure you can challenge yourself to learn about the sport. Millions upon millions are obsessed with it.

My mother couldn’t stand golf until my brother became an amazing “hole in one” level of golfer. They went to tournaments together, watched it on television, etc. She did it because she loves him and he loves the sport. She’s in her 80s and still follows it.

That’s so sweet!

I thought golf was one of the most boring sports, but then my son got into it and we started watching tournaments together. It’s interesting how your attitude toward something can change when you see it through the eyes of your kids. And there were some pro tournaments that were nail biters!

OP, keep watching football with him. Let him explain the game to you, and ask him questions. I bet you’ll grow to enjoy it and he’ll get a big kick out of teaching the game to you.