Updated: July 16, 2016
Originally Published: July 16, 2016
Recently, I took my two kids—a lively 5-year-old and a 5-month-old baby—to the local baseball stadium for a game. I’m not really a fan of the home team (go Giants!), and neither are my kids (they better not be!), but I do enjoy spending time with them, as well as the atmosphere of a baseball game.
I should clarify, “I used to enjoy” those things. After this experience, my love for them has taken a hit. I might even switch my loyalty to soccer!
Introducing my children to sports—both playing and watching—is one of the so-called joys of parenthood. I was looking forward to it, just like any enthusiastic parent would be. At baby showers, both of my kids received adorable outfits emblazoned with team logos, and I even picked out a Miami Dolphins shirt for my now 5-year-old.
In theory, it all sounds delightful. But then you find yourself at a game with a baby, and every cheer from the crowd makes them scream like they’re in a horror movie. Or you sign your 4-year-old up for soccer, only to have a single misstep send them into a fit, refusing to set foot on the field for the rest of the season. Yet, we persist. We’re parents, after all, and we know that few things come easy with kids. Plus, we can’t teach them that giving up is an option, especially after spending a small fortune on tickets and snacks.
I’ve taken my 5-year-old to several baseball games, mostly at our local park, which is a fantastic venue for kids. Each visit got a little better for him; he got used to the noise, started going with friends, and discovered the joys of ice cream, hot dogs, and popcorn. Plus, there’s the added thrill of souvenirs and, thankfully, the chance to grab a beer. Please, let that beer vendor come around again, no matter the price!
The packing required to haul two kids (one being an infant) to a game is a monumental task. You might think I was gearing up for an expedition to the Himalayas! The only silver lining is that you end up acquiring so much stuff for the kids—be it to foster their love for your favorite team or to placate them when they see others with goodies—that your wallet ends up feeling lighter.
But in reality, it’s a different story. Your child spends most of the time goofing off, while you’re preoccupied with keeping them in line. So, you shell out a hefty sum for tickets to a game they hardly notice, only to leave early because of a meltdown, or worse, a messy diaper explosion.
Play ball!
If you’re curious about more parenting insights, check out this piece on home insemination kit for helpful information. You can also find useful tips on fertility at Make a Mom, which is an authority on this topic. Additionally, Healthline offers excellent resources for anyone interested in pregnancy and home insemination.
In summary, while taking kids to a baseball game can be a fun adventure, it often turns into a chaotic experience filled with distractions and challenges. But hey, that’s parenting for you!