Kids at Ford Stadium

[DiamondM]

My daughter attended her first tailgate at 9 days old, and made it through her first game at 16 DAYS old. Her first bowl game at 2 months old (the Gator Bowl -- daddy is a Tech alum). She's been to almost every single home game since, plus at least 5 away games for both mommy and daddy's teams. Occasionally, Mr. DiamondM will leave a few minutes early in the 4th quarter if kickoff is 7 pm, and once or twice we've taken advantage of parents in town who were more inclined to hang out at home with her than attend the entire game.

Infants are very flexible, and adapt to whatever environment they think is normal. Just strap them in a baby bjorn. We never had ANY trouble with loud noises (she slept right through the 1st and 2nd overtime of the 4 overtime Stars playoff game when she was about 6 months old). They have a built in reflex that shuts out even loud ambient noise to allow them to sleep anywhere --- unless you screw that up by insisting on absolute silence at bedtime and naptimes so that is what becomes "normal" to them.

YOU have to be flexible too though -- don't expect a complete uninterrupted 3.5 hours to focus solely on the game. Decide in advance which parent goes strolling when they become fussy or need diaper changes and trade off (for us it's easy -- Mr. DiamondM takes over for my games, and I am on diaper duty for his games). It will happen, but don't freak out about it, and don't let that dissuade you from bringing junior along.

As ours has grown into a toddler, she has become more engaged in the environment --- not necessarily what is happening on the field or court. That's been really fun. All this time I thought she was really just watching the cheerleaders and band, I discovered that my 2.25 year old was actually paying attention to everything when we were watching conference tournaments last week and she exclaimed, completely uprompted, following a missed layup, "That's a foul." "Rebound." And later, "3 points." A proud day for Mr. DiamondM and me, indeed.

We just took her to the Olympics, where she was a peach attending curling and long track speedskating. But we know our limits, such as they are, and did not drag her along on the 3 hour trek up to Whistler for the luge, instead leaving her with grandma.

[Mestengo]

My daughter attended her first tailgate at 9 days old, and made it through her first game at 16 DAYS old. Her first bowl game at 2 months old (the Gator Bowl -- daddy is a Tech alum). She's been to almost every single home game since, plus at least 5 away games for both mommy and daddy's teams. Occasionally, Mr. DiamondM will leave a few minutes early in the 4th quarter if kickoff is 7 pm, and once or twice we've taken advantage of parents in town who were more inclined to hang out at home with her than attend the entire game.

Infants are very flexible, and adapt to whatever environment they think is normal. Just strap them in a baby bjorn. We never had ANY trouble with loud noises (she slept right through the 1st and 2nd overtime of the 4 overtime Stars playoff game when she was about 6 months old). They have a built in reflex that shuts out even loud ambient noise to allow them to sleep anywhere --- unless you screw that up by insisting on absolute silence at bedtime and naptimes so that is what becomes "normal" to them.

YOU have to be flexible too though -- don't expect a complete uninterrupted 3.5 hours to focus solely on the game. Decide in advance which parent goes strolling when they become fussy or need diaper changes and trade off (for us it's easy -- Mr. DiamondM takes over for my games, and I am on diaper duty for his games). It will happen, but don't freak out about it, and don't let that dissuade you from bringing junior along.

As ours has grown into a toddler, she has become more engaged in the environment --- not necessarily what is happening on the field or court. That's been really fun. All this time I thought she was really just watching the cheerleaders and band, I discovered that my 2.25 year old was actually paying attention to everything when we were watching conference tournaments last week and she exclaimed, completely uprompted, following a missed layup, "That's a foul." "Rebound." And later, "3 points." A proud day for Mr. DiamondM and me, indeed.

We just took her to the Olympics, where she was a peach attending curling and long track speedskating. But we know our limits, such as they are, and did not drag her along on the 3 hour trek up to Whistler for the luge, instead leaving her with grandma.

I seriously think you should write a book on the subject it could be a best seller.

[Dooby]

I find that my kids learn more every game, but still don't get a lot about the sport. When Taylor Thompson got the 4th down sack against UTEP to win the game, my son didn't get it because there was still time on the clock. He didn't get the significance.

My seven year old does understand football scoring to a savant-like level. The score of some game on TV as 26-10 and I asked my kid when he entered the room how they got to that score and he said one team had two TDs and 4 field goals and the other team had a TD and a field goal. He then said that the one team could have had 13 safeties and the other team could have had 5. I noted that was possible, but unlikely. He then said a safety, 3 tds and a field goal or 4 td's with two missed extra points. This went on for several minutes.

[Stallion]

I went to SMU games since birth and took my son since he was about 1. it ain't so bad until they learn how to walk-for the next 3-4 years you'll be chasing them up and down the stairs and down the aisles. I sit on the aisle of the top row and act like grumpy old man in charge of a toll bridge so the kids don't get too far on that top walkway which they always head for. It would probably be easier if the seats are in the middle of a section so they can't wander.

[ontheedgeofmyseat]

It always baffles me to see strollers, etc. at the Nelson, Rangers game, Stars, etc...get a sitter, people..take a break from jr. for a couple of hours..will make you a better parent in the long run. I think a "kid to a game" makes sense when the kid can behave himself, is not "high maintenance" and can sit through the whole thing...depends on the kid, but probably in that 2 - 4 grade zone somewhere....

[that's great raplh]

And to answer your point more directly, mine was able to last through a whole game after he turned 4. But that required a certain amount of entertaining and bribes from the concession and souvenir stands.

$5 all ice Cokes?

better bring your wallet to navy uncle smupony94

[smupony94]

You bringing Tricky and Trouble?

[peruna81]

First, congratulations to couch 'em and the missus...prayers that everything goes well during the coming days..

took my 3 yo daughter to the 'Vard this past season, sans game, but to get a chance to see/mingle...she is an off the charts extrovert, and enjoyed the band, music, people, colors, and general chaos. When she saw folks heading to the stadium, she said "lets go in there."
I told her someday soon, which led to the desired anticipation moment of being "big enough."

We will be trying a half this fall, at 4. She is intense, happy, and should be watching people, Peruna, players, other kids...all with the intent of trying to TAKE OVER ALL THINGS.

God help me when she brings home the first boy...

[mrydel]

It is the one she does not bring home that you need to worry about.

[peruna81]

mrydel, you would be correct...I now pay for crimes of my youth by having another daughter to have to worry about.

She is our third child ( 25 yo F, 23 yo M), but is the polar opposite of either of the former...
she sizes up the room before taking over, and does this with impunity at the church I pastor.
To say she is a type A is laughable, but at this age she is VERY moldable, and loves her daddy and mommy to the exclusion of anything/one else...we work with that notion at every opportunity given.

That sad day may come, but I rather suspect that if any young man tweaks her nose, he will be in pieces by her own hand before I ever get my shot.

[that's great raplh]

You bringing Tricky and Trouble?

tricky yes, trouble not yet