Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 12:06     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:People, we aren't talking about the US national team or pro club practices. This is pay to play soccer, whether you like it or not. If I want to watch my DC's practice in its entirety, I have every right to. Not once has a coach had to speak to me or anyone else for that matter. As someone said earlier, I would like to know how my money is being spent. I know the difference between a good training session and a bad one. I know the difference between a good coach and a bad one.

People seem afraid that your DC might be in jeopardy of being labeled because a parent chooses to watch a whole practice even if its every single week? Only an insecure coach would be bothered. As long as I am paying, I will choose what I want to do with my time.


What's your soccer pedigree to know if the coach is running the best training sessions?


It doesn't take a soccer pedigree to determine if a practice is weil run or not... that is a silly question.


Then how else do you know?

I didn't know soccer knowledge and expertise was common sense
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 12:02     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:I honestly didn’t realize that watching your child practice was discouraged. The field is about 45 minutes from my home, and as a parent of an only child, I naturally want to be there for her. I work all day on my computer, so by the time practice rolls around, I’d rather not sit in the car or walk around aimlessly. Parking is also limited, and if I leave, there’s no guarantee I’ll find a spot again.

I simply enjoy quietly watching my child practice—never interfering with the coach or distracting anyone. In fact, my child doesn’t even acknowledge me during practice, which I respect. I just want to be nearby in case anything happens, and yes, sometimes I chat with other parents—just normal, friendly socializing.

It’s disheartening how quick people can be to judge other parents. We’re all just trying to do our best, and being present for our children shouldn’t be something we’re made to feel guilty about.


No shame at all - we drive far enough that it makes no sense to go back home, so occasionally my wife and I will go grab some dinner and watch about 45-60 mins of practice. My daughter doesn't mind it at all and enjoys discussing parts of the practice with us on the way home. We're also at a large facility with 8+ fields so we just sit up on the hill out of sight.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:57     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:People, we aren't talking about the US national team or pro club practices. This is pay to play soccer, whether you like it or not. If I want to watch my DC's practice in its entirety, I have every right to. Not once has a coach had to speak to me or anyone else for that matter. As someone said earlier, I would like to know how my money is being spent. I know the difference between a good training session and a bad one. I know the difference between a good coach and a bad one.

People seem afraid that your DC might be in jeopardy of being labeled because a parent chooses to watch a whole practice even if its every single week? Only an insecure coach would be bothered. As long as I am paying, I will choose what I want to do with my time.


What's your soccer pedigree to know if the coach is running the best training sessions?


I’m not PP and don’t have a soccer pedigree but every soccer coach that has seen my kid play (on tournament teams for example) or trained my kid (small group trainings) are not surprised to know what club he’s from. So presumably they’re doing something right.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:54     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:People, we aren't talking about the US national team or pro club practices. This is pay to play soccer, whether you like it or not. If I want to watch my DC's practice in its entirety, I have every right to. Not once has a coach had to speak to me or anyone else for that matter. As someone said earlier, I would like to know how my money is being spent. I know the difference between a good training session and a bad one. I know the difference between a good coach and a bad one.

People seem afraid that your DC might be in jeopardy of being labeled because a parent chooses to watch a whole practice even if its every single week? Only an insecure coach would be bothered. As long as I am paying, I will choose what I want to do with my time.


What's your soccer pedigree to know if the coach is running the best training sessions?


It doesn't take a soccer pedigree to determine if a practice is weil run or not... that is a silly question.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:53     Subject: Re:Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:I'm watching whatever I want, and anyone who has a problem with that can take a hike. How is this something adults are saying to other adults? You wanna read a book or go shopping...enjoy!

I'd like to watch my kids play the sports they love...it brings me real joy. Don't give a rip what you think about it.


A little intense, but I agree with you. Nothing wrong with watching a practice. Nothing wrong with running errands. Nothing wrong with reading a book. It's all good.

The one thing I think all of us can agree with is that there is something wrong with engaging with your kid or thier coaches during practice.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:50     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:People, we aren't talking about the US national team or pro club practices. This is pay to play soccer, whether you like it or not. If I want to watch my DC's practice in its entirety, I have every right to. Not once has a coach had to speak to me or anyone else for that matter. As someone said earlier, I would like to know how my money is being spent. I know the difference between a good training session and a bad one. I know the difference between a good coach and a bad one.

People seem afraid that your DC might be in jeopardy of being labeled because a parent chooses to watch a whole practice even if its every single week? Only an insecure coach would be bothered. As long as I am paying, I will choose what I want to do with my time.


What's your soccer pedigree to know if the coach is running the best training sessions?
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:50     Subject: Re:Overly Invested Parents
I'm watching whatever I want, and anyone who has a problem with that can take a hike. How is this something adults are saying to other adults? You wanna read a book or go shopping...enjoy!

I'd like to watch my kids play the sports they love...it brings me real joy. Don't give a rip what you think about it.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:26     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:People, we aren't talking about the US national team or pro club practices. This is pay to play soccer, whether you like it or not. If I want to watch my DC's practice in its entirety, I have every right to. Not once has a coach had to speak to me or anyone else for that matter. As someone said earlier, I would like to know how my money is being spent. I know the difference between a good training session and a bad one. I know the difference between a good coach and a bad one.

People seem afraid that your DC might be in jeopardy of being labeled because a parent chooses to watch a whole practice even if its every single week? Only an insecure coach would be bothered. As long as I am paying, I will choose what I want to do with my time.


Yikes.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 11:07     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
People, we aren't talking about the US national team or pro club practices. This is pay to play soccer, whether you like it or not. If I want to watch my DC's practice in its entirety, I have every right to. Not once has a coach had to speak to me or anyone else for that matter. As someone said earlier, I would like to know how my money is being spent. I know the difference between a good training session and a bad one. I know the difference between a good coach and a bad one.

People seem afraid that your DC might be in jeopardy of being labeled because a parent chooses to watch a whole practice even if its every single week? Only an insecure coach would be bothered. As long as I am paying, I will choose what I want to do with my time.
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 10:46     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:I honestly didn’t realize that watching your child practice was discouraged. The field is about 45 minutes from my home, and as a parent of an only child, I naturally want to be there for her. I work all day on my computer, so by the time practice rolls around, I’d rather not sit in the car or walk around aimlessly. Parking is also limited, and if I leave, there’s no guarantee I’ll find a spot again.

I simply enjoy quietly watching my child practice—never interfering with the coach or distracting anyone. In fact, my child doesn’t even acknowledge me during practice, which I respect. I just want to be nearby in case anything happens, and yes, sometimes I chat with other parents—just normal, friendly socializing.

It’s disheartening how quick people can be to judge other parents. We’re all just trying to do our best, and being present for our children shouldn’t be something we’re made to feel guilty about.


I'm on board with you but come on this mindset at the end is just a turn of phrase, I hope? Because nobody in this pay to play soccer crapshoot should be making you feel guilty about anything. Bad victim mindset. Focus on the first part that you wrote which is spot on its enjoyable to be in your kids life, they will grow and flourish outside of our gaze eventually, why rush it? To not "look bad" to insecure parents who are busy comparing rather than supporting their own kid. Plz this is all so silly
Anonymous
Post 05/21/2025 10:12     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
We have the sabbotor parent in our team constantly sabotaging the coach and club but won't leave. Pure toxicity. Nothing is good unless their kids is the center of playing time, attention, goals, etc.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2025 19:20     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:I honestly didn’t realize that watching your child practice was discouraged. The field is about 45 minutes from my home, and as a parent of an only child, I naturally want to be there for her. I work all day on my computer, so by the time practice rolls around, I’d rather not sit in the car or walk around aimlessly. Parking is also limited, and if I leave, there’s no guarantee I’ll find a spot again.

I simply enjoy quietly watching my child practice—never interfering with the coach or distracting anyone. In fact, my child doesn’t even acknowledge me during practice, which I respect. I just want to be nearby in case anything happens, and yes, sometimes I chat with other parents—just normal, friendly socializing.

It’s disheartening how quick people can be to judge other parents. We’re all just trying to do our best, and being present for our children shouldn’t be something we’re made to feel guilty about.


But then there are parents who can’t help themselves and comment during practices. And you have kids constantly looking at their parent for approval.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2025 16:48     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
Anonymous wrote:I honestly didn’t realize that watching your child practice was discouraged. The field is about 45 minutes from my home, and as a parent of an only child, I naturally want to be there for her. I work all day on my computer, so by the time practice rolls around, I’d rather not sit in the car or walk around aimlessly. Parking is also limited, and if I leave, there’s no guarantee I’ll find a spot again.

I simply enjoy quietly watching my child practice—never interfering with the coach or distracting anyone. In fact, my child doesn’t even acknowledge me during practice, which I respect. I just want to be nearby in case anything happens, and yes, sometimes I chat with other parents—just normal, friendly socializing.

It’s disheartening how quick people can be to judge other parents. We’re all just trying to do our best, and being present for our children shouldn’t be something we’re made to feel guilty about.


You know, most parents are like you, including me. You’re cool.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2025 16:26     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
I honestly didn’t realize that watching your child practice was discouraged. The field is about 45 minutes from my home, and as a parent of an only child, I naturally want to be there for her. I work all day on my computer, so by the time practice rolls around, I’d rather not sit in the car or walk around aimlessly. Parking is also limited, and if I leave, there’s no guarantee I’ll find a spot again.

I simply enjoy quietly watching my child practice—never interfering with the coach or distracting anyone. In fact, my child doesn’t even acknowledge me during practice, which I respect. I just want to be nearby in case anything happens, and yes, sometimes I chat with other parents—just normal, friendly socializing.

It’s disheartening how quick people can be to judge other parents. We’re all just trying to do our best, and being present for our children shouldn’t be something we’re made to feel guilty about.
Anonymous
Post 05/20/2025 12:32     Subject: Overly Invested Parents
+1

I pay a lot of money and it is basically my hobby as well. I just enjoy watching my kid play soccer

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:My kid is on a MLSNext team and there are parents who watch practices. I don’t watch except occasionally when I get back early. But if I had time and weren’t busy working some more or running errands during practices, I would watch more. The parents are chill and don’t audibly say stuff to their kids. But mostly I enjoy watching my kid and his team play because they’re so good and focused and can’t we just appreciate that?


I mostly stay through all of my kid's practice. We are a soccer family and I have 3-5 that all play depending on when asked over the past 5 years. We drive 40 min to a bit over an hour depending on what field they are training on. I work inside all day and enjoy being outside in the evenings no matter the weather (rather than sitting in my car). My kids also seem to enjoy me being around (even my older ones) and notice when I am not. I don't engage with them at all nor do any of the other parents that are there. I see some of the same parents there, we talk and I have become friends with many of them. Truth be told, I enjoy it.