Parking-lot parents

[Anonymous]

Coaches told us not to watch practice and that it’s better for the kids to not get distracted by us. Too far to drive home and back, so I’m in the car listening to an audio book.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Wait, is OP sad because no one wants to socialize with her at sports/dance practice or art class or mathnasium? So bizarre.

Wow. Seemed to really have touched a nerve.

Why so much nastiness?

Are you OP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m lucky enough to have time to drive my child to events. But I do not have unlimited time and I have to work. So I sit in the car when I want to catch up on work or media.

I am a grown up with real responsibilities.

People like OP are awful. You have no idea why people do what they do. Leave them alone.

I am not awful! What a rude and ignorant thing to say about someone you do not even know.

I am simply trying to wrap my head around the people who become parents, then treat their offspring like an inconvenience; as if they are just checking a box a never really wanted a child in the first place.

Sitting in the car during your child’s performance really screams out you are “there” because you have to be (but dont really want to be there).

You are there in your kids life, but not at all present.

Yes, OP, I should have offered you an apology when I ended up sitting in the car during my child's performance when I had to be on the phone discussing end-of-life care for my dying parent. I really should have told the hospice nurse I'd take the call later.

[Anonymous]

DD attends private, though virtually all the other girls on her rec team attend public school.

I've no interest in interacting with the parents of such people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD attends private, though virtually all the other girls on her rec team attend public school.

I've no interest in interacting with the parents of such people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD attends private, though virtually all the other girls on her rec team attend public school.

I've no interest in interacting with the parents of such people.

But you're fine with your kid catching their public school cooties?

[Anonymous]

Working. In many cases, they are just trying to keep up with required minimum number of billable hours.

[Anonymous]

Many people use the privacy and quiet of the car to return phone calls, make appointments, answer texts and emails, sign up for volunteer tasks, fill out forms, etc. It’s an ideal time to tackle all those little admin tasks managing a family requires, so you can relax with them when you get home instead of pulling out the phone and the computer.

Some people can do those things while they’re at work, or at home during the day while kids are at school; but if they don’t have that freedom, a practice or lesson when the kid will barely even register their absence is the ideal time to get it done. It hardly means a parent doesn’t really want their children, and frankly, that’s a pretty nasty judgmental leap.

But honestly, OP, the short answer is that it’s none of your business.

[Anonymous]

When did parents start watching their kids practices? That was never something parents did when I was growing up. Parents would drop the kids off, or the kids would arrive on their own. The coaches don't want you there, your kids don't want you there, and you shouldn't want to be there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did parents start watching their kids practices? That was never something parents did when I was growing up. Parents would drop the kids off, or the kids would arrive on their own. The coaches don't want you there, your kids don't want you there, and you shouldn't want to be there.

I did when mine were younger but then covid hit and we were not allowed in. Then they became teens so I'd go to errands.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When did parents start watching their kids practices? That was never something parents did when I was growing up. Parents would drop the kids off, or the kids would arrive on their own. The coaches don't want you there, your kids don't want you there, and you shouldn't want to be there.

I was so surprised by this when my kids started sports. I still stay for my first grader because I know he would be sad if no parent was there if he got a minor injury or something. But I've been dropping off my fourth grader for over a year now unless there's not enough time to go home and come back. Most of his things are less than 10 minutes from home. Even when I stay on site for either kid, I don't sit there and watch. I either bring work or use the time to go for a walk if it's nice out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:When did parents start watching their kids practices? That was never something parents did when I was growing up. Parents would drop the kids off, or the kids would arrive on their own. The coaches don't want you there, your kids don't want you there, and you shouldn't want to be there.

I was so surprised by this when my kids started sports. I still stay for my first grader because I know he would be sad if no parent was there if he got a minor injury or something. But I've been dropping off my fourth grader for over a year now unless there's not enough time to go home and come back. Most of his things are less than 10 minutes from home. Even when I stay on site for either kid, I don't sit there and watch. I either bring work or use the time to go for a walk if it's nice out.

+1

I started dropping off at age 7 or 8. I either go home, exercise nearby, run errands, or do some work. Depends on the time and location.

A small handful of parents still stick around for son’s 13U team practices. From what I can tell, they are socializing and don’t pay much attention to the actual practice- which is fine but for 5+ hours of practice per week? And that is on top of games/tournaments. I think it is mostly a social thing for many.

[Anonymous]

If certain parents from my 14 year old’s team are there, I’ll get out and hang. My 12 year old, nope. Nothing in common with those parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD attends private, though virtually all the other girls on her rec team attend public school.

I've no interest in interacting with the parents of such people.

I would never put it this way, but as the parent of two who are on scholarship at a private, I don't need the nasty comments from public school parents about hw it must be nice to have that kind of money or whatever.

But as far the parking lot thing, I'm sitting in my car with the a/c on surfing DCUM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If certain parents from my 14 year old’s team are there, I’ll get out and hang. My 12 year old, nope. Nothing in common with those parents.

Why what wrong with them or you?