Question to ponder about expectations/life lessons

[RGV Pony]

So, like most Mustang games, I'll have my youngest (6 year old) in tow. I've only taken him to one road game and almost all home games. He's been to a couple of SEC championship games, and most Mav games, as well as Mustang bball.

How nice it was a couple of weeks ago for him to experience an SMU win. After all, he has said more than once "but dad the Ponies always LOSE!"

Which brings me to my question..I'm considering preparing him for the carnage we'll likely witness Saturday, and saying something like "now son...those bad guys in Purple will probably score a lot of points, and that aggravating horn will be going off all the time. I want you to remember this, so that one day you can be there when the Ponies run all over those frogs."

I figured this would further engrain his Mustang loyalty. Then again, it teaches him to expect a loss. But I'm afraid he already expects a loss when it comes to our beloved Ponies. Perhaps more of a "well son, this is why we play the game" mantra would work. But I've gone to the well pretty often for that one.

What say you all? Opinions?

[CalallenStang]

So, like most Mustang games, I'll have my youngest (6 year old) in tow. I've only taken him to one road game and almost all home games. He's been to a couple of SEC championship games, and most Mav games, as well as Mustang bball.

How nice it was a couple of weeks ago for him to experience an SMU win. After all, he has said more than once "but dad the Ponies always LOSE!"

Which brings me to my question..I'm considering preparing him for the carnage we'll likely witness Saturday, and saying something like "now son...those bad guys in Purple will probably score a lot of points, and that aggravating horn will be going off all the time. I want you to remember this, so that one day you can be there when the Ponies run all over those frogs."

I figured this would further engrain his Mustang loyalty. Then again, it teaches him to expect a loss. But I'm afraid he already expects a loss when it comes to our beloved Ponies. Perhaps more of a "well son, this is why we play the game" mantra would work. But I've gone to the well pretty often for that one.

What say you all? Opinions?

How about saying "On paper, SMU should lose by 4 touchdowns or more. We lost by 41 points last year. But it's a rivalry, and anything can happen. If we play our best, we might be able to win. After all, games are played on grass, not paper." That way, he's prepared for the loss but knows that a Pony win is not out of the question (well, that is, unless you listen to Patton).

Then, feed him jt's "no expectations" mantra.

[d_pony]

Every father has a different way of explaining the lessons of life to their children - who is to say what way is best - my belief is that at that age a discussion of "loyality" is appropriate - that SMU is our team and we hope for them to win but if they lose we still "love" them because they are our team - that is why before the game we raise our "pony ears" and sing our loyalty to SMU - VARSITY

[One Trick Pony]

Every father has a different way of explaining the lessons of life to their children - who is to say what way is best - my belief is that at that age a discussion of "loyality" is appropriate - that SMU is our team and we hope for them to win but if they lose we still "love" them because they are our team - that is why before the game we raise our "pony ears" and sing our loyalty to SMU - VARSITY

And if that doesn’t work stick a little Yeager in his coke.

[George S. Patton]

The loyalty road is important. It reveals that you are with your team/club or whatever through it all. With my 10-year-old and my 9-year-old, they understand that SMU is an important part of who I am -- I rip on the current head football coach and other matters but understand I'm not going anywhere because I owe that school so much because of what it did for me (thanks, DAD) -- so they feed off the idea of coming to the games and supporting the program. They get it that it goes beyond the winning and losing.

The 10-year-old did not come to SFA game because she spent the night at somebody's house. But the first question out of her mouth when she got back the next day was to ask how SMU did.

Every circumstance is different, but I believe that our kids will view what we believe to be of value to be of value to them. Same thing with me being loyal to Minnesota because of my dad, even though I didn't go to school there. I valued what he valued.

We have too many people that are fly-by-night fans. Here with you when you win. Hard to be found when you lose.

This 20-year march has been disgustingly painful. But if the kids recognize that it means something to you, they'll respect you for that.

Just my two cents.

[mrydel]

Take him to the State Fair.

[RGV Pony]

Take him to the State Fair.

at his insistence, in fact we are going to the "Steak" Fair on Friday.

[KnuckleStang]

I grew up watching Virginia games in the 70's with my dad. They were horrible then. My dad taught me that our team is horrible, but we like them anyway because that's where he went to school. When George Welsh showed up in the early 80's and UVA started winning, it was a great thing. "Loyalty" is the right lesson, when we win, they will understand. Stay the course

[jtstang]

Make sure you emphasize that no matter what happens on the field, our campus is not ugly like TCU's.

[Hoop Fan]

just wait til your kid goes to school with his SMU gear on. he will take alot of crap, whether you live in Plano, or Garland or the Park Cities. My kid chooses to wear his gear anyway, I respect him for it. But it does get old for the kids, just like the beat down gets old for us long time fans. I have instilled the loyalty aspect I think, but honestly I think my son has already developed his own dysfunction about the Ponies. He definitely is not as interested as he used to be, which is sad for me as a dad. Hell, I had the kid on my lap as infant at the SMU-Arkansas game at Shreveport over a decade ago. Thats a good memory for me, but he doesnt remember it and doesnt have many good mustang memories. One he does have is the TCU game in 2005 but the good days are few and far between. Its beyond time for SMU to give its fans, young and old, something to be proud of.

[couch 'em]

There is zero reason for any kid to be at all interest in SMU football. You are better off NOT taking him to the TCU game and reinforcing all the bad memories. Save it for a game we will win.

[MidlandMustang]

The loyalty aspect is very important. But when all else fails, lie. I've often heard that sometimes lying is good for a relationship. Obviously, I'm just kidding.

[RGV Pony]

just wait til your kid goes to school with his SMU gear on. he will take a lot of crap, whether you live in Plano, or Garland or the Park Cities.

does it all the time. Clashes w/ his LSU backpack, though.

[Hoop Fan]

6 year olds are still pretty docile. In any case, its funny to hear about the obnoxious little UT fans who think the fact that they are fans of a good team gives them some sort of superiority in life and license to talk s***. I have nothing against UT really, its just funny to watch. Gotta give UT credit they have a hell of following. Maybe the the biggest, most consistent in the country.

[CalallenStang]

6 year olds are still pretty docile. In any case, its funny to hear about the obnoxious little UT fans who think the fact that they are fans of a good team gives them some sort of superiority in life and license to talk s***. I have nothing against UT really, its just funny to watch. Gotta give UT credit they have a hell of following. Maybe the the biggest, most consistent in the country.

Biggest...possibly. Most consistent...no way. I grew up going to UT games and I remember the days before Mack Brown was hired. Stadium held 76,000 at the time and didn't consistently sell out.

I'd give most consistent to Notre Dame or Michigan.