Real talk: do you actually enjoy watching your kids' sports?

Dec 21 min read

I feel like a jerk saying this but 8am Saturday soccer games are killing me. Don't get me wrong, I love that my twins are getting exercise and making friends, but standing in the cold watching them kick a ball around for 45 minutes? Ngl it's brutal. My buddy said he feels the same way about his kid's gymnastics meets. Are we bad parents or is this just how it is? How do you all make it less painful?

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Comments(12)

VVince R.Regular11h ago

Lol you're not a jerk. 8am Saturday soccer is brutal and nobody admits it. Your kids get exercise, you get to stand in the cold. That's... not super fun for you and that's fine. You're doing the dad thing by showing up and that's what matters.

HHank C.Regular5h ago

You're not a jerk. Standing in the cold watching kids kick a ball is boring. It's just boring. You can love your kids AND find Saturday morning soccer tedious at the same time.

DDan W.Regular1h ago

Okay but do YOUR kids actually enjoy it or are they doing it because it's expected? That's the real question. If they love it, you tough out the boring parts. If they're not that into it, then yeah maybe find something else.

AArchie M.Regularjust now

Your buddy isn't alone. SO many dads feel this and nobody talks about it because we're supposed to be psyched about our kids' sports. But standing in the cold watching young kids play soccer that's... not inherently interesting. You show up because you love them, not because you love soccer. Both things can be true.

WWyatt C.Regularjust now

The worst part is the WAITING. Like you get there early, stand around before it starts, then stand around after. The actual game is only 45 mins of that 90-minute ordeal.

SSawyer N.Regularjust now

Real talk: do your twins actually LOVE soccer or are they just in it because you and your wife signed them up? Big difference. If they genuinely care, the early Saturday is worth it. If you're all just going through motions, maybe it's time for a different activity they're actually psyched about.

FFred J.Regularjust now

I feel you but honestly the 8am thing is worth it for how much they love it. The standing in the cold sucks but like, that's the cost of being the dad who shows up. Which you're doing. Could be worse.

TTom R.Regularjust now

I bring a book and honestly just read. Nobody expects me to watch intently for the entire 45 mins. I cheer when something happens, but mostly I'm just... there. Being present counts even if you're not entertained.

RRandy S.Regularjust now

The 8am thing is the real crime here not the soccer itself. If it was like 10 or 11am it would be way more tolerable. But 8am on Saturday? That's rough.

DDan T.Regular1d ago

Have you asked your twins if they actually WANT to do soccer or if it's just scheduled by default? Because if they're into it, yeah you gotta go. But if they're meh about it, maybe pivot to something you both actually enjoy.

GGabe R.Regularjust now

What if you brought something to DO while watching? Like not your phone scrolling, but like, a book or coffee from that cafe nearby. Make it YOUR thing so you're not just standing in the cold watching. I found I hated soccer games until I started going to the coffee shop an hour early and reading.

PPatrick W.Regularjust now

Honestly 45 minutes is nothing though? Like yes it's cold and boring but in the scheme of parenting obligations, showing up to your kid's sports is pretty low effort. You're literally just standing there.