Parents @ team Practice/games? (boys, playing, son, 11 years old)
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At what age did you - parents of kids who play sports - stop attending practices? And do you always go to every game?
By attending practices, I mean instead of just dropping your kids off at the court or field and letting the coach take over, you stay and wait for them, pitch a chair, watch them practice, read a magazine, talk with the other parents, whatever (sit in the car if it's freezing and raining...).
I ask because we have a 16 year old who plays on an ultimate team. Since beginning last year he has been getting himself to and from his practices and even games and tournaments on his own, or riding with friends who drive, etc. He has seemed to want to go on his own, and not really wanting us involved. My husband and I feel fine with this, I really love his independant nature, but it is also the first experience we've had with our kids up to this point of not feeling like we need to be involved in something they are doing outside of school. (We're pretty hands-on sort of parents). Of course - until he needs money for fees/uniform or a signature on a piece of paper or something.
So - just curious!
We also have a younger son (age 11) who plays soccer, and we are surprised the number of parents who do not stay for practices. There used to be a lot more parents staying, more than half the team, but so far this season we are the only ones. Its really weird. Where did all the parents go?
Depends... if the sport was school related ( middle school/high school) I attended games but not practices. In high school I attend the games I can...for youth sports I attended most practices and virtually all games...
Depends... if the sport was school related ( middle school/high school) I attended games but not practices. In high school I attend the games I can...for youth sports I attended most practices and virtually all games...
This was me as well. All practices until it was an after school practice and then I just attended the games/meets.
First child: Attend all games & practices. Join club. Become team manager or assistant coach. Buy meat, Sell burgers on game days. Encourage other parents to help. Set up fields. Buy new cameras. Video every game and take lots of photos.
Second Child: Watch some games & some practices. Cook burgers when asked.
Third child: Watch the occasional game. Drop kid at practice and collect afterwards. Do not get out car. Wash Jerseys and supply half time oranges when rostered on and reminded by team manager.
Fourth child: It is not until halfway through the season that you are even aware that they are playing and still are not sure what sport it is. Watch one game per season. Hope their practice is on the same night as one of the other kids. Child gets lift home from practice and games. Buy a burger and talk enthusiastically to the parents who have only their first child in sport.
At what age did you - parents of kids who play sports - stop attending practices? And do you always go to every game?
I go to every practice. But in my case they call me coach. That is what you get for showing up to the first practice in sneakers!
I coach 5 / 6 soccer this year. Most parents stay.
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We also have a younger son (age 11) who plays soccer, and we are surprised the number of parents who do not stay for practices. There used to be a lot more parents staying, more than half the team, but so far this season we are the only ones. Its really weird. Where did all the parents go?
The vast majority of the 10-12 yos at soccer have a parent present. But we are rural. If weather rolls in, we cancel practice, a parent would otherwise be driving a distance.
For school related sports, I've never stayed to watch practices. That would generally be very frowned upon, as it seems very "helicopter" parent-ish. It's strictly a drop off, pick up sort of thing. However, I (and the other parents) attend the games to the best of my ability.
Club related sports, I occasionally stay and watch. Usually I'll drop off, run to the store or something (since these are further from home and it really doesn't make sense to go home) and pop in for the last 30 hour or so. Like school sports, parents attending the games is encouraged, so I try to make it to all games/tournaments
First child: Attend all games & practices. Join club. Become team manager or assistant coach. Buy meat, Sell burgers on game days. Encourage other parents to help. Set up fields. Buy new cameras. Video every game and take lots of photos.
Second Child: Watch some games & some practices. Cook burgers when asked.
Third child: Watch the occasional game. Drop kid at practice and collect afterwards. Do not get out car. Wash Jerseys and supply half time oranges when rostered on and reminded by team manager.
Fourth child: It is not until halfway through the season that you are even aware that they are playing and still are not sure what sport it is. Watch one game per season. Hope their practice is on the same night as one of the other kids. Child gets lift home from practice and games. Buy a burger and talk enthusiastically to the parents who have only their first child in sport.
I coach youth baseball for 10-11 years olds and by that age very few of the parents stay. At the practice I had last week there were 9 kids there; one was my kid and one was the other coach's kid. Out of the 7 remaining kids only 1 had a parent who stayed.
When one of my boys played football in a town league, parents were required to stay for practice. I always assumed it was in case of an injury.
Otherwise, I only stayed for sports practice if the distance to the field (or hockey rink, etc)was too far to make a return trip worthwhile.
Once they reached high school I never went to a practice.
We always made every effort to attend games though. Even during college, we have gone to see youngest play rugby. We put lots of miles on various vehicles in years past, but we also met lots of nice people, and saw parts of the country we probably wouldn't have otherwise.
9-11yo, Depends on what pratice field they used. If it the one on the other end of the county, i would stay, Usualy read a book. If it was the one near home i would head off to the store do food shopping, that kinds of stuff, and if i timed it right i would get it all done just when pratice ended and he was walking up to the parking lot.
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