Parents Do not have to attend soccer games!!! UPDATE

[Mkrop]

Some of our sports are centralized to one or 2 parks. So we can plan because we have one soccer park/field (turf) and the soccer assoc. posts the days and times on the website prior to registration. I guess to get all ages/times on the field the right number of hours per week, the association sets the times by scheduling the field. Baseball, there are 2 fields and it is more iffy as the parent coaches decide on practise nights. We have only done one season of baseball as DD8 wasn't into it and DS6 did spring soccer instead of baseball last season.
However, that means most of the parents are driving as they are too far away to walk/bike. So the parents stay since they are there anyways. It also helps build community to stay and get to know the other parents or visit with parents from your childs school.

Then consider yourself extremely lucky that your sports are organized that way, be my kids have played every sport under the sun, soccer, football, basketball, baseball and we never know the schedule until the time comes and they are scheduled all over the place. And to the other poster, options are not in over abundance if you dont like this league's rules etc. Baseball has VERY strict boundary lines, you either play for this league or you dont play basbeall at all.

We have plenty of community on game days. I have never had a problem getting to know the teammates parents and families.

Plus what about the younger siblings who need to get homework done, should they be forced to do it at the field. Or should they be made to stand out in the rain or cold bc of this silly rule. DS14 had football practice 4 nights last week in order to get ready for their semifinal game and now practice 4 nights this week for the championship game. So I should make DS8 be at every practice this week (his Flag football season is over) for 2 hours and it is downright cold now when the sun sets, and they practice football in the rain, sleet, even snow! That is not fair or healthy for the other siblings.

Like I said my DH is a baseball coach and yes it is frustrating when the parents dont arrive on time but some parents meddle way too much and he can not coach the kids.

 

[SingleFather]

OP: I just wanted to point out that correlation does not equal causation. While you may make sure that your child isn't left to be babysat after practice is over, how do you know that others weren't. It is a strange jump to assume that it was because of a scandal that had nothing to do with your soccer program.

For the record I find it a strange jump to assume it was because kids were being left behind. Why would it matter IF the child has a ride who brings them home? Read the rule again:

EFFECTIVE WITH THE SPRING 2012 SOCCER SEASON, ONE PARENT FROM YOUR CHILD'S HOUSEHOLD MUST ATTEND PRACTICE FOR U12 AND UNDER BOYS AND GIRLS OR YOUR CHILD MAY NOT PARTICIPATE IN ************** ************ ACTIVITIES

It is not a very big leap to the Penn State situation and assume this is a kneejerk reaction.

 

[mjkacmom]

Some of our sports are centralized to one or 2 parks. So we can plan because we have one soccer park/field (turf) and the soccer assoc. posts the days and times on the website prior to registration. I guess to get all ages/times on the field the right number of hours per week, the association sets the times by scheduling the field. Baseball, there are 2 fields and it is more iffy as the parent coaches decide on practise nights. We have only done one season of baseball as DD8 wasn't into it and DS6 did spring soccer instead of baseball last season.
However, that means most of the parents are driving as they are too far away to walk/bike. So the parents stay since they are there anyways. It also helps build community to stay and get to know the other parents or visit with parents from your childs school.

My boys play on 3 - 4 local teams every season, and I've very involved with their schools. I think I must know every single parent in town, by this point! As it is, people ask me every day how I do it (the secret is carpooling). It's 7 pm, and I have only 1 child home. I also can't be split 5 ways. Every field in this town can be reached by a bike. Heck, I feel comfortable leaving an 8 year home alone while I drop kids off at various practices.

And I am proud to say that, not once in all of these years, have I been late to pick up my child.

 

[mhsjax]

Bolded is so not true. We have 2 kids and both work full-time but when I schedule their activities, I ensure they are at times that at least one of us can be there for things that are outdoors like soccer. Swimming is 45 minutes and the parents are expected to be in the building. Some of their other activities like theatre school, is 3 hours and the parents are expected to leave.

You live in a different world than I do. Dh works, I don't. we have 3 kids. And usually once during the week, we can't be at soccer practice to watch. I have1 at cheer way to the south and 2 at different activities to the north of town. Sorry but their coaches don't ask me what times are convenient before I sign up, and that info isn't given out until practice is just about to start. There is no ensuring times for scheduling purposes. especially with 3 kids. YOu really can't just lump everyone into this category.

 

[mdsoccermom]

I think it's an absolutely ridiculous rule. For the younger ones, maybe U8, I can see it. But other than that? Ridiculous. First of all, just because children are at practice without parents doesn't mean they are using practice as babysitters. They are practicing. And some kids just do well without the parents there.

Sometimes I sit at DDs practice (I rarely go to DS practices). Sometimes I run to the grocery store or do other errands. You know, because I do care enough about my kids to make sure we have groceries in the house and all the other things that make the household function.

Our practices are 2 hours long at least twice a week. For many, that's just too much time to do nothing.

12 year olds do not need their parents there to watch over them.

 

[mdsoccermom]

You live in a different world than I do. Dh works, I don't. we have 3 kids. And usually once during the week, we can't be at soccer practice to watch. I have1 at cheer way to the south and 2 at different activities to the north of town. Sorry but their coaches don't ask me what times are convenient before I sign up, and that info isn't given out until practice is just about to start. There is no ensuring times for scheduling purposes. especially with 3 kids. YOu really can't just lump everyone into this category.

Same here. Fields are assigned just before practices begin at the start of the season, and coach, along with the field assignor, determines time. Parents have no say - that would be virtually impossible.

 

[5lilfish]

Same here. Fields are assigned just before practices begin at the start of the season, and coach, along with the field assignor, determines time. Parents have no say - that would be virtually impossible.

Same here... My DD tries out for travel soccer in Sept. She finds out what team she made, and who her coach is, early in October. At that point in time we pay our non-refundable deposit to lock in our DD's spot on the team and get her covered under their insurance. We get a practice schedule (time slot and field) around Oct 20th and practices start the week of Nov 1.....long after we've commited to the team. She practices twice a week for an hour from Nov - April and then practices move outdoors in May (and we start games).

Jess

 

[Kae]

So anytime you let your child join a group and you don't sit there you are using the group as your babysitter? I don't (didn't)need a babysitter.

DS14 has played soccer since he was 6 & I can count on 1 hand how many times I stayed at practices. his practices are 2 hours. That would 4 to 6 hours a week. We do alot of carpooling. Lucky for DS's team The kids all get picked up on time.

Kae

 

[tlbwriter]

I am surprised more kids that age don't get themselves to practice. I know on the DIS kids are over protected snowflakes a lot of the time but out in the real world kids ride bikes to practice.

LOL! Don't get out much? I live in the real world and I live in a very family-friendly neighborhood that's full of kids. And you literally cannot walk or ride your bike to a single practice, other than one soccer field (and even then you'd have to walk or bike along the shoulder of a divided highway). I'm thinking of other neighborhoods and I know one that's in walking/riding distance of a field, but really, if you want to play softball, volleyball, or baseball, you need a driver. Maybe in your world everyone lives in an insulated area where things are close by and sidewalks are plentiful, but not everyone does. I just drove my daughter and a friend to a Girl Scout meeting and it took an hour to get there and back. You don't seem to understand how some communities are spread out.

For the record I find it a strange jump to assume it was because kids were being left behind. Why would it matter IF the child has a ride who brings them home? Read the rule again:

[/B]

It is not a very big leap to the Penn State situation and assume this is a kneejerk reaction.

Actually, it is a pretty big leap. It makes a lot more sense that they want parents on the premises for other reasons. You say it doesn't matter if the child has a ride, but that's probably the point - all of these kids didn't have rides.

If they kid gets picked up late or arrives late, then they should have to sit out of the game.

That's a good idea. That's what they do with dances at my daughter's middle school - if you're picked up late, you can't go to the next one. Of course, I have no idea if they enforce it.

Everyone on the team including the coaches has a cell phone if there is an emergency and if someone is running late.

IF the issue is that parents aren't picking up their kids, cell phones don't help. Mom calls and says "I'll be 45 minutes late." Coach still has to stay late.

 

[SingleFather]

Actually, it is a pretty big leap. It makes a lot more sense that they want parents on the premises for other reasons. You say it doesn't matter if the child has a ride, but that's probably the point - all of these kids didn't have rides.

The rec office could not give an answer as to why the new rule was in place other than one person who said "Just in case..."

Just in case of what? There was never any mention of parents in the league leaving their kids with babysitters. Considering the cost of the last season, that is one expensive babysitter. I think there are far too many on this thread taking a leap on the whole kids being left behind issue.

If that was the case, it would not matter who was there to bring them home.

 

[msjprincess]

Same here. Fields are assigned just before practices begin at the start of the season, and coach, along with the field assignor, determines time. Parents have no say - that would be virtually impossible.

Same here. My kids don't play soccer but all 3 play baseball/softball. Practice times are assigned by the league.

With 3 kids there are plenty of times where they all have different places to be and I can't sit there for their practice. I can't even watch all of their games because sometimes they all have a game at the same time. So I spend the whole time walking from one end of the complex to the other.

Truthfully I don't want to sit in the freezing cold watching practice for 2 hours. My son got hit in the nose at practice last year. The coach called and DH was there in 10 minutes to pick him up.

My friend and I often bring each other's sons to practice.

 

[FireDancer]

LOL! Don't get out much? I live in the real world and I live in a very family-friendly neighborhood that's full of kids. And you literally cannot walk or ride your bike to a single practice, other than one soccer field (and even then you'd have to walk or bike along the shoulder of a divided highway). I'm thinking of other neighborhoods and I know one that's in walking/riding distance of a field, but really, if you want to play softball, volleyball, or baseball, you need a driver. Maybe in your world everyone lives in an insulated area where things are close by and sidewalks are plentiful, but not everyone does. I just drove my daughter and a friend to a Girl Scout meeting and it took an hour to get there and back. You don't seem to understand how some communities are spread out.

I said more kids, not all kids. At twelve if my parents couldn't get us to practice because of work we got ourselves there. The point was that kids at that age should be able to get themselves to practices provided they don't live too far away and requiring parents to be there is ridiculous. Twelve year olds don't need babysitting. This isn't smurf soccer.

Anyone who has been around these boards more than a day will see there are a lot of people who coddle their kids. This place is not free of snowflakes. They don't grant them the independence we were granted. I wonder how many 12 year olds have biked more than 5 miles from their home.

 

[englishteacha]

Every time I've chaperoned a middle school event (many times in 10 years) I always have to stay almost an HOUR after the event ends for some parent to come get their kid. I know that's different from regular practices, but I have a life, too, and an hour is a big deal!

 

[C.Ann]

Now that I've had time to read the entire thread, I get why the OP has a problem with it.. I wasn't thinking about families who have several children, in different locations, at different times, and not enough parents to go around.. Mom & Dad can only be in two places at any given time - one with each child - (providing they are both available - or it's not a single parent raising their children alone) - so what happens to the other child/children? They can't be involved in the sports of their choice?

Not such a great idea after all.. I'm thinking they may get a lot of flack about this and hopefully it will be changed..

 

[brockash]

A background chack really doesn't make someone "safe"

And it's not just from the Penn State thing...It's been that way for a while here.

Parents shouldn't be put out because they have to supervise their children...annoying? Sure.....but they're your kids....

I'd venture to say that a lot of parents would like to stay and watch an hour or two of their kids practicing, but a lot of them work or have other kids they're taking here and there. Don't get me wrong, sure you'll always have the lazy parents (although some say parents really shouldn't even be at kids practices, especially once they hit 3rd or 4th grade,) but there's also a lot of parents that just can't be there. My DH and I have coached soccer, football and basketball for the last few years, and I'd say most parents don't stay, or aren't there at all. A lot of them are still working when practice would start, some had multiple kids ect. Honestly, we would have never had enough kids for any team, had each kid have to have 1 parent at each practice for the whole practice. I agree that it seems a little unreasonable, especially once those kids start hitting 3rd/4th grade and practices are longer ect.

 

[SmallWorld71]

I'd venture to say that a lot of parents would like to stay and watch an hour or two of their kids practicing, but a lot of them work or have other kids they're taking here and there. Don't get me wrong, sure you'll always have the lazy parents (although some say parents really shouldn't even be at kids practices, especially once they hit 3rd or 4th grade,) but there's also a lot of parents that just can't be there. My DH and I have coached soccer, football and basketball for the last few years, and I'd say most parents don't stay, or aren't there at all. A lot of them are still working when practice would start, some had multiple kids ect. Honestly, we would have never had enough kids for any team, had each kid have to have 1 parent at each practice for the whole practice. I agree that it seems a little unreasonable, especially once those kids start hitting 3rd/4th grade and practices are longer ect.

Honestly, if they were to implement this program in my town, then we might as well just cancel sports all together as we wouldn't be able to field a team in anything. Many of the kids arrive at practices via carpool, babysitter, on their own via bike etc... since parents are usually working. This is especially true once the kids reach school age and up. Heck, many times the kids have to get rides to games because parents are working. And what happens to those who have multiple kids? Our baseball fields, for example, are scattered all over town. What do you say? "Sorry, honey, your brother/ sister gets to play this year. You can have your turn some other year."

I also find it hard to believe that the coaches want the parents there as well. DH has coached Little League for years and he would go nuts if all the parents stood there throwing in their two cents. As it is, they had to put green netting by home plate so that parents wouldn't stand there and cause problems when watching the game.

As far as late to pick up your kid, if that is really what prompted this policy, all you would need is a rule about tardies. Ex. Two times late and child is benched, off the team, whatever. This seems like much more than that.

Also, for those who say that parents should be supervising their own children, HOW do you plan to have them do that? ANY sport or activity that my kids have ever done (soccer, baseball, hockey, football, ballet.....) the parents are not allowed on the field, ice etc... unless they are a coach. In fact, it is against the rules to have anyone who has not had a CORI check by that particular sport near the kids. So, yes, you would be there for an emergency. But, supervise, not possible at anything my kids have ever participated in.

I know things vary widely in communities, but this policy would be the death of youth sports if it was implemented in my town.

 

[pixiedustaholic]

There was always a rule when dd cheered for the rec center. A parent needs to be there in case of an injury among other reasons I saw posted on the 1st couple of pages.

DS10 plays football and we had a player break his arm at one of our practices. His dad normally stays at all practices but had to run another child home and was supposed to only be gone for a few minutes. His son broke his arm on the 1st play after he left. We didn't have his cell number and couldn't contact any one on his list so we ended up calling the ambulance. We were finally able to contact someone on his contact list after about 20-30 minutes. For 30 minutes (by the time EMS came and got him prepped and ready to go), this poor little guy had to lay there in pain and scared to death with only his coaches to comfort him. Injury is the main reason that I think parents need to be at practice no matter what. If my DH or I are unavailable to be at an entire practice (his FB schedule conflicts with DD14's JV cheer), I always have my mom or dad or sister come stay.

If this is such an inconvenience to the parents, don't sign your child up. If an actual parent can't be there, a responsible adult should be there to represent your child.

 

[SmallWorld71]

There was always a rule when dd cheered for the rec center. A parent needs to be there in case of an injury among other reasons I saw posted on the 1st couple of pages.

DS10 plays football and we had a player break his arm at one of our practices. His dad normally stays at all practices but had to run another child home and was supposed to only be gone for a few minutes. His son broke his arm on the 1st play after he left. We didn't have his cell number and couldn't contact any one on his list so we ended up calling the ambulance. We were finally able to contact someone on his contact list after about 20-30 minutes. For 30 minutes (by the time EMS came and got him prepped and ready to go), this poor little guy had to lay there in pain and scared to death with only his coaches to comfort him. Injury is the main reason that I think parents need to be at practice no matter what. If my DH or I are unavailable to be at an entire practice (his FB schedule conflicts with DD14's JV cheer), I always have my mom or dad or sister come stay.

If this is such an inconvenience to the parents, don't sign your child up.

Well, then, I guess your DD would have been out of luck as well since your mom, dad or sister wouldn't count as a parent with the OP's new restrictive policy and instead your DD would have been an "inconvenience" to use your word.

 

[Mkrop]

There was always a rule when dd cheered for the rec center. A parent needs to be there in case of an injury among other reasons I saw posted on the 1st couple of pages.

DS10 plays football and we had a player break his arm at one of our practices. His dad normally stays at all practices but had to run another child home and was supposed to only be gone for a few minutes. His son broke his arm on the 1st play after he left. We didn't have his cell number and couldn't contact any one on his list so we ended up calling the ambulance. We were finally able to contact someone on his contact list after about 20-30 minutes. For 30 minutes (by the time EMS came and got him prepped and ready to go), this poor little guy had to lay there in pain and scared to death with only his coaches to comfort him. Injury is the main reason that I think parents need to be at practice no matter what. If my DH or I are unavailable to be at an entire practice (his FB schedule conflicts with DD14's JV cheer), I always have my mom or dad or sister come stay.

If this is such an inconvenience to the parents, don't sign your child up. If an actual parent can't be there, a responsible adult should be there to represent your child.

Not having the cell # of that parent is the fault of the coach and not the reason that a parent should stay.

And once again consider yourself lucky that you have addl family around that could assist you in this matter, not everyone is so fortunate. Plus this policy the OP is referencing would exclude those family members that do help you out. What then? Should your DD miss out?

My kids are not an inconvience to me nor are their activities but until someone truly invents cloning or teletransportation, I can not be in two places at once (let alone those who have more kids than 2) and I am not going to decide which child gets to play in what sport. My kids get to do one sports a season so we can manage their schedules and be there for as much as we can...but we already sacrificed my career to make that happen as best we can, we cant sacrifice his as well or we will be living in a cardboard box...and like I said before we you like your Dr to cancel your appt bc he/she has to be at the field so her child can play soccer or would you be glad that she has a reliable babysitter or neighbor that they can carpool with.

Plus I really dont want all those parents hanging around who may or may not have the clearances that the coaches have. Although it is not foolproof at least those people have gone to the trouble to be cleared and I have to have some trust with them and my child, but I truly dont need little Johnny's drunk dad there at practice yelling at the kids for every move they make (and yes we had that dad one year, the League had to get involved) DH always has his clearances in case they need him to stay and help with a practice(when he is in town) or a game but I know most parents do not do this.

So once again I want one of you in favor and critquing us parents what should we do when it is Tuesday if Child #1 has football at 5:45 to 8, and Child# 2 has soccer practice across town from 6-7:30, who should I a mom home by herself bc her DH is traveling for his job, who should I pick, Child #1 or Child #2, or should I be able to be at both since the timing works out or even better how about a carpool for one of the kids.

I swear common sense is dead these days and everyone cant look beyond their own little family's circumstances.

 

[mhsjax]

There was always a rule when dd cheered for the rec center. A parent needs to be there in case of an injury among other reasons I saw posted on the 1st couple of pages.

DS10 plays football and we had a player break his arm at one of our practices. His dad normally stays at all practices but had to run another child home and was supposed to only be gone for a few minutes. His son broke his arm on the 1st play after he left. We didn't have his cell number and couldn't contact any one on his list so we ended up calling the ambulance. We were finally able to contact someone on his contact list after about 20-30 minutes. For 30 minutes (by the time EMS came and got him prepped and ready to go), this poor little guy had to lay there in pain and scared to death with only his coaches to comfort him. Injury is the main reason that I think parents need to be at practice no matter what. If my DH or I are unavailable to be at an entire practice (his FB schedule conflicts with DD14's JV cheer), I always have my mom or dad or sister come stay.

If this is such an inconvenience to the parents, don't sign your child up. If an actual parent can't be there, a responsible adult should be there to represent your child.

Wow, does that include HS football, because kids get hurt playing that, and I am pretty sure they don't have or allow parents to watch after school football practice.

Also my DD cheers, parents AREN'T ALLOWED, PERIOD, except last week of the month. Parents are irritating when coaches are trying to do their jobs. Parents don't need to hang around, especially with older kids. Coaches are trained, the have cell phones. Parents DON'T need to be there, unless they want to be there and even then it isn't always allowed.

You are really quite amusing at this time of the morning., NOT really, just kidding.