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Talk Me Out of the Ballgame
Recently, I took my two kids—my rambunctious 5-year-old and my 5-month-old baby—to the local baseball stadium. Now, I’m not a fan of the home team (go Red Sox!), and thankfully, neither are my kids (they better know better!). However, I do enjoy spending time with my children and love the excitement of baseball games.
I should clarify that I used to be a fan of these things. After this outing, I might just switch my allegiances to soccer.
The idea of introducing my children to sports—both playing and watching—was something I was really looking forward to, just like any typical American dad. At their baby showers, they were showered with items adorned with Red Sox logos and I even got my 5-year-old a shirt featuring a Miami Dolphins helmet as his first piece of clothing.
But, like most parenting fantasies, the reality was a bit different. Taking a baby to a game means enduring the ear-piercing screams every time the crowd erupts, and signing up my 4-year-old for soccer turned into a nightmare after one unfortunate kick to the shin. But we keep pushing forward, because we’re parents! We know that nothing comes easy with kids, and we can’t let them think it’s acceptable to quit. Plus, we’ve invested a small fortune in this endeavor, darn it, they’re seeing it through!
I’ve taken my 5-year-old to around six baseball games, most of them at Fenway Park, an iconic venue that’s a treasure for anyone under five feet tall—especially those without infants in tow. Each experience improved slightly; he got used to the noise, started attending games with friends, and discovered that there’s ice cream, hot dogs, popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy, and hats! Not to mention, I desperately hope the beer vendor returns with those overpriced, tiny cups of Coors Light. I need it.
The only thing more challenging than preparing for a day at the ballpark with two kids (including a baby) is figuring out how to pack up and leave after the game, especially after your little ones accumulate a mountain of souvenirs to bring home. The good news is that you end up purchasing so much stuff—either to share the joy, convert them into fans, or simply to avoid a meltdown because they didn’t get something someone else did—that your wallet feels lighter.
In theory, this all sounds fine and dandy until you’re actually there, and your child is too busy playing around to watch the game. Meanwhile, you’re too focused on preventing their shenanigans to even glance at the field. Congratulations! You’ve just spent a small fortune on tickets for a game that neither of you really enjoyed, and you’ll probably have to leave before it’s even halfway done due to an epic meltdown, a sudden nap, or an unexpected mess.
Play ball!
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In summary, introducing kids to the joy of sports can be a rollercoaster of excitement and chaos. While the dream of bonding over baseball games is appealing, the reality often involves more stress than enjoyment. However, the hope of building those unforgettable memories keeps us parents going.