To think it's mad standing at the side of football training in the cold, wet and dark?

Luckily DS1 only started football club from year 4 so as he was over 8 we can drop off and pick up for training days. DH quite often stays and watches if the weather is OK though.

I rarely go to matches as they are on Sundays and I take DS2 to family mass instead, but if its a home match with a late kick off we walk up after church and watch. DS1 likes when his little brother watches him.

You aren't being unreasonable to think that, but you are being unreasonable to judge others' choices.
Some parents do this at DS' football. They like to catch up with other parents, or in some cases they work away or don't live with their child so are being 'present' for them
Some of the parents mumsdon't attend any matches through choice. They say it's not their thing, or it's for fathers and sons. I don't really understand that (and I do judge). Football was never my 'thing', but it is DS', so I make sure I'm there whenever I can be (work or illness prohibiting).

I think it’s important to show interest.

Usually for my Ds it’s an hour long, I go for a little walk 30mins and then watch 30 mins. Or if indoors read 30mins where he can’t see me, and then 30mins watching.

I would rather go to the cafe with him afterwards

Nope: absolutely love watching my kids do what they love and they look over and smile and it makes them happy. For reference - between the two it’s four nights a week and then each has a game on the weekend.

It can be quite social too. You don't have to stand there in miserable silence. Some of the parents I know quite well at this point. 3 of the boys from rugby all started nursery together years ago and they now go to the same school, so I have been seeing their mums/dads about 7 times a week since 2019. Last Sunday I stood in a little huddle with three of the dads and we talked football, kitchen/bathroom renovations and Christmas plans.

Yes, I can't imagine why no-one wants to join her in the cafe despite her invitations...

I think op was hoping everyone would jump on the bandwagon of mocking how ridiculous it is to stand in some weather and support your kids.

I think you are projecting OP.

People said they stayed because they enjoyed it. If you don’t and prefer to go to the cafe that’s fine.

You started a thread saying “why doesnt everyone go to the cafe” and people answered you. What were you expecting them to say?

Trying to make sure my daughter doesn't discover football for as long as possible, to try to avoid this fate worse than death...

On the subject of 'you do you'

Why are you asking if you're being unreasonable?

My kids are much older now but all of them have commented on how much they appreciated us being there for sports. One of us was always always there unless we were ill and even then we made sure a close friend they trusted were there. I saw some horrible scenes when helicopter parents weren't around and threw blame at everyone when their kids were injured or got ill and didn't answer their phones...

To say nothing of needing volunteers for the various jobs needed to keep a grassroots sports team going.

You do sound a bit defensive op. Absolutely fine if you want to stay in the warm and read a book, but if others choose to stand and watch they aren’t wrong either. Some parents are really into football and genuinely enjoy watching the tactics and progression. I know one dad who goes to watch the opposition games just to get an idea of who is good and how they play! For some people it’s a big deal.

It's not a football thing. My DS does rugby, football and swimming (he is 7) and we aren't allowed to leave for any of them.

Fortunately October to March our football training is in the gym at a local secondary school but rugby is outside, rain or wind or hail.

My son is 17. It's now the only part of his life that I'm routinely welcomed at so yes I'm there on the respect line week in week out. It means I know all his team mates and can talk football with him. Will miss it when he goes to uni next year.

I have always loved watching my children do all kinds of sports. When it's raining and cold i dress accordingly. I have never been a fan of winter but it's no great hardship.

I personally think it's mad when parents stand or sit there scrolling away on their phone like zombies when they could be watching their children have fun.

I’m not sure anyone is actually judging the OP, she seems to have decided people are but no evidence of it on this thread from what I’ve seen…

You started a thread declaring other people’s choices to be mad so no point getting touchy if people judge yours.

Has anyone actually said you’re a terrible person?

Both my kids did martial arts for a year and for that club we had to stay and watch. My older child does an indoor sport and it’s not expected to stay and watch but I will watch some of it just to see what they’re doing in the session and how she’s getting on.

People have just given the reasons why they choose to watch. You are happier in the cafe and that’s fine. Others are happier watching. That’s also fine.

Is there? I’ve not read anyone who had said anything like that (apart from you).

I should’ve read the whole thread but I just wanted to add that obviously due to the dangerous nature of equestrian sports everyone stays. It gets better when they’re older though, the expectations/rules will be less and nobody will bat an eye that you don’t participate.

I would be in that cafe right along with you honestly. It’s beyond dull if you have no personal interest in the sport.

I'm out in all weather's for dds football training, running club, rugby, netball and I'm there at her kickboxing too. The only drop and run I do is brownies.

Dd loves me watching, and she loves to talk about it for hours afterwards too. I preferred it when her special interest was dinosaurs and not sports.

It's just the shit you do for your kids 🤷🏽‍♀️

I have t read every comment to be fair but is anyone calling you a terrible mother? I’ve seen various people saying they like watching; that doesn’t make them queer.

When DS was training with the local professional club’s junior academy, I used to take my marking [teacher] into the neighbouring sports hall building and catch up with my work there.

DS was dropped after a few years, partly because we were obviously insufficiently dedicated parents.

(Marking books at the back of the hall for jazz band rehearsals some years later was MUCH pleasanter!)

For generations the women in my family have been equestrians, I was out with my mother preparing to compete from 4:30 in the morning as a tween so it’s only fair I do the same for my DC. I don’t mind standing out in the rain at all hours for that, mucking out and the rest of it, but I still couldn’t imagine being a football parent.

So far I have been very lucky that horse riding and dance have been the only activities she’s into because I couldn’t stand going to kids football. I took my nephew for a few weeks and time has never moved slower.

I would do it, enthusiastically, if she wanted, but I’m very grateful she’s taken after the rest of us.