Anonymous wrote:Wow OP, your attitude will not help your DC..

Years from now DS will not remember a certain goal he scored in whatever game it was. But he will remember others don't really like his mom because she sort of a b*tch.

Clearly you haven't met too many young athletes. My son does remember some of his most outstanding goals and goalie saves. It would make him nuts if I couldn't share the conversation.

There's something weird going on here with some people. Some people think that THEIR CHOICE of how they want to spend their time at a child's game is the BEST and ONLY BEST choice for EVERYONE.

Is there no appreciation and respect for the diversity of interests and motivations for adults' attendance at these games? I don't expect everyone to have my hobbies and interests, or to spend their time the way I choose to spend my time. And what I do from game to game might vary, depending on priorities of the moment.

I mean, really... There's a level of self-centeredness I'm reading that surprises me. Among adults, even. Goodness.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Same way my son is one of the key players on his team so when I go to the game I want to watch every move I am not there to socialize unlike many. I tell everyone that I have a bad back and I bring my own lawn chair and I sit somewhat aside from the bleachers I'm as nice as could be before the game but once the game starts I sit on my chair I often always bring a book and pretend to be looking at it though I don't really watching the game,

Sorry for the typo I meant I pretend I'm reading the book but I'm really watching the game

Why are you pretending to not watch the game? Is this area so bad that we can't just WANT to watch a game and not get berated for it? I love watching my kids play and my 13yr old has thanked me for watching her games. She says in the dugout a lot of kids say "my mom doesn't even care, look she didn't even watch me make that hit" etc... To realize that my 13yr is happy I am watching is a miracle in itself. Kids do care.

Some kids do want their parents there to celebrate their good plays, and for others it's not as important. My 6 year old looks to see our reactions if he makes a good play and enjoys reviewing the highlights of his games with us afterward. Meanwhile, our 13 year old would probably drive herself to all her games if she could. She is willing to tolerate us watching her travel soccer games (including local extended family), and will allow about 3 minutes of game focused talk afterward. For rec or middle school games, she has made it clear that no more than one parent should come if at all possible, and would strongly prefer that we not clap, cheer, or otherwise draw attention to ourselves or to her. Sadly, there is a total ban on family attendance at cross-country meets after an unfortunate instance of overly-enthusiastic grandparental support.

Anonymous wrote:Wow OP, your attitude will not help your DC..

Years from now DS will not remember a certain goal he scored in whatever game it was. But he will remember others don't really like his mom because she sort of a b*tch.

See OP, these are the moms you don't want to deal with? I don't blame you. Nightmare moms who think socializing is their #1 job. They are like the mean girls click. If you aren't a part of them you are a bitch or a loser who just wants to watch the boring game. Try and guilt someone into thinking their kid won't value you as a mom because you watched the game and not off gossiping with people that aren't even your close friends.

And PP just to let you know, my kids love us coming to the game and watching. Ages 5, 10 and 12. Not one wishes we are off chatting up other parents during the game. We see them before and after the game, talk, say hi and some are ever our very close friends. But there are people who bring their own chairs and actually watch and then there is the chatty moms on the bleachers. Even the Dads avoid them and stand off on their own. I hate to break it to you. The kids know you ignore them, the coaches think you are flakes, your husbands wouldn't be caught dead in the middle of that group and somehow you think you are worthy to call the OP a bitch. Please look in the mirror.