Soccer Dad
Today was Ethan's first practice game of soccer. Once it started, it looked like things were going to be really bad. All of us went, which could have been a recipe for disaster. Aidan, in large public places, meant that we would have to keep our eye on him for the whole time. We also had Callum, and pushing a pram across damp soccer fields was always going to test our mettle.
We were late, so getting a car park caused Ethan to get anxious, as there weren't any close to the grounds. We ended up having to drop him and Anth off so they could go to the ground, of course, just to wait an extra half hour for their actual game. I took Callum and Aidan over to the attached playground, in an effort to stop Aidan running onto the grounds, as there were four different matches going on at once. Once their game started we headed back to watch.
I now know how easy it is to stand on the sideline and shout encouragement at your kid. Particularly when your kid doesn't want to do anything. For the first half, Ethan spent most of it rooted to the spot. When he did make the attempt to move, it generally meant he burst into tears, as no one seemed to be kicking the ball straight to him (which is what happened in training). He got taken off. I gave him a pep-talk, which helped settle him down, then he was sent back on. It didn't help. To top it off, he really lost it when just after he returned to the field, an opposition player kicked the ball straight at his head. Of course, it hit.
Anth was able to calm him down, and by this time Aidan was running his own form of rampage by going up to every person there and asking them what they were "Doing today". He too burst into hysterics when I tried to restrain him from running off. Fortunately, Callum slept through this. By the time the second half hit, I was ready to go, but amazingly, everything turned. Aidan settled down enough to be let free, Ethan went back out and actually played like he meant it - not great - but with some effort, and no more tears, and Callum woke up happy as Larry!
Ciao for Now, Soccer Angry Dad.
We were late, so getting a car park caused Ethan to get anxious, as there weren't any close to the grounds. We ended up having to drop him and Anth off so they could go to the ground, of course, just to wait an extra half hour for their actual game. I took Callum and Aidan over to the attached playground, in an effort to stop Aidan running onto the grounds, as there were four different matches going on at once. Once their game started we headed back to watch.
I now know how easy it is to stand on the sideline and shout encouragement at your kid. Particularly when your kid doesn't want to do anything. For the first half, Ethan spent most of it rooted to the spot. When he did make the attempt to move, it generally meant he burst into tears, as no one seemed to be kicking the ball straight to him (which is what happened in training). He got taken off. I gave him a pep-talk, which helped settle him down, then he was sent back on. It didn't help. To top it off, he really lost it when just after he returned to the field, an opposition player kicked the ball straight at his head. Of course, it hit.Anth was able to calm him down, and by this time Aidan was running his own form of rampage by going up to every person there and asking them what they were "Doing today". He too burst into hysterics when I tried to restrain him from running off. Fortunately, Callum slept through this. By the time the second half hit, I was ready to go, but amazingly, everything turned. Aidan settled down enough to be let free, Ethan went back out and actually played like he meant it - not great - but with some effort, and no more tears, and Callum woke up happy as Larry!
Ciao for Now, Soccer Angry Dad.
posted by Wes at 8:42 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home