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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

86 replies

RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 18:59

Kids football group.

All the parents stand around outside for an hour.

Right outside a warm cafe...

AIBU to be the only one who sits inside, reads my book and enjoys a hot drink?

I have invited them to join me.

OP posts:
Sofasu · 01/12/2025 20:19

It was never my favourite bit of parenting but it's for the child, to support and encourage them.
You aren't watching if you're inside reading your book.

notacooldad · 01/12/2025 20:17

Of course its mad, but its the kind of thing we do for our kids. I never enjoyed being on the sidelines watching my youngest play football in winter but he was always made up when I cheered him on and I could see him now and again looking for me to give me a smile or a sneaky wave!
He would ask me a 100 questions afterwards such as ' did you see that tackle".
I didnt love being in the cold but loved how he loved us being there.

DinoLil · 01/12/2025 20:13

I did it for years and years. As a parent, team rep, coach then manager.

All the parents stood in all weathers to cheer their child on. I was so proud of them all, even if, as a team, we were a bit rubbish.

mondaytosunday · 01/12/2025 20:12

My son used to play rugby. For years every Thursday night and early Sunday off we went to practise and matches. I used to volunteer to work in the little clubhouse kitchen and make tea, coffee and bacon sandwiches for the parents and (with others) a meal for 40 hungry boys on match day. I was warm while the other parents watched. My son was happy I was there (his father, who loved rugby but never played, passed away when he was small) and knew I was working, but I missed any of his good tackles or scoring. He’d come in afterwards all excited and ask ‘did you see me…’? And no I didn’t. So I wish I didn’t volunteer every week.
Fine to stay warm during practise, but kids want their parents attention, not just a taxi service, so matches you must watch.

Original poster
RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 20:08

NerrSnerr · 01/12/2025 19:52

For our training we only have one volunteer couch though so if your child is injured the coach will have to get hold of the parent (which may not be instant if not driving/ not picking up) and either leaving the child with other parents or staying with them meaning that training can’t carry on (we had this recently when an 8 year old broke his ankle in training- coach left a message with mum but she turned up at the end of training and hadn’t checked phone).

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We have 3 coaches... 🤷‍♀️

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 01/12/2025 20:06

RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 19:53

Yes, and there's a nice warm café just by the training pitches where you can watch as well...

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Since you don't think you're BU why did you ask?

Divebar2021 · 01/12/2025 20:06

There’s no way in the 1980’s my mum would have ever hung around to watch me do a sport - especially training ( not a match ) that feels particularly tragic. Unfortunately it does extend to indoor sports too. I play tennis in a club and many of the parents sit courtside for the children’s lessons when there is a nice cafe they could sit in onsite. It’s not as if they even spend much time watching - they’re mostly on their phones. It seems a bit performative to me.

Catwoman8 · 01/12/2025 20:04

Personally I would stand and watch whatever the weather (i was that parent) but I love watching and playing sports. I wouldn't judge anyone for sitting in a cafe though , some parents used to stay in their cars . Mine doesn't do football anymore and has switched to summer sports so its a win win for me!

Quitelikeit · 01/12/2025 20:03

Each to their own!

blankcanvas3 · 01/12/2025 20:01

I’ve done it for years with DS, you get used to it! It is a bit mad, but I enjoy it

washinht · 01/12/2025 20:00

To each their own surely?

I stay out in the cold and watch.

Original poster
RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 19:53

FuzzyWolf · 01/12/2025 19:22

Some children like the moral support and knowing their parent is watching.

There are plenty of warm and waterproof clothes suitable for an hour outside. It’s not even that cold at the moment.

Yes, and there's a nice warm café just by the training pitches where you can watch as well...

OP posts:
NerrSnerr · 01/12/2025 19:52

RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 19:48

I have magical device called a mobile phone...

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For our training we only have one volunteer couch though so if your child is injured the coach will have to get hold of the parent (which may not be instant if not driving/ not picking up) and either leaving the child with other parents or staying with them meaning that training can’t carry on (we had this recently when an 8 year old broke his ankle in training- coach left a message with mum but she turned up at the end of training and hadn’t checked phone).

Original poster
RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 19:51

NotrialNodeal · 01/12/2025 19:21

Just got back from an hour in the rain. I wouldn't sit inside because I enjoy watching my son and supporting the team. You do you though!

Well, you might enjoy watching 5 and 6 year olds attempt to dribble a ball around small yellow cones in the cold and rain... I don't.

You do you though.

OP posts:
Original poster
RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 19:49

DarkSunrise · 01/12/2025 19:36

Maybe they enjoy watching?

I was always thrilled that my children both played indoor sports but I love to watch them play so I’m guessing if they’d picked football, rugby or hockey I’d have bought nice warm boots and watched in the rain.

It's not matches, it's training.

OP posts:
Annoyeddd · 01/12/2025 19:49

I would encourage DC's to swap to cricket or something indoors

Original poster
RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 19:48

RedDeer · 01/12/2025 19:37

We have to stay and watch training and matches. Under 10s. So have no choice. What would happen if your child got injured could the coaches contact you?

Just dress up warm. Take a hot drink with you, and good waterproofs. My childs team train year round.

I have magical device called a mobile phone...

OP posts:
PollyBell · 01/12/2025 19:44

Op we never had this with our child as they did more inside activities but I am 100% in agreement with you, i would be in that cafe before the first whistle if they did winter sport outside

Mariammaom · 01/12/2025 19:42

RedDeer · 01/12/2025 19:37

We have to stay and watch training and matches. Under 10s. So have no choice. What would happen if your child got injured could the coaches contact you?

Just dress up warm. Take a hot drink with you, and good waterproofs. My childs team train year round.

Have you no mobile phones?

Mariammaom · 01/12/2025 19:42

Why do you have to stay and watch? Just like when you drop them at school or any activity, the coaches can phone a parent in case of any injury?!

Gwenhwyfar · 01/12/2025 19:41

NerrSnerr · 01/12/2025 19:33

You’re more likely to catch a cold from sitting in the cafe- being near someone with a cold in an enclosed space. If your reason is to not become unwell your best bet would be to stay outside.

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You're more vulnerable to viruses when cold and wet though so if you go somewhere afterwards where there are people...

RedDeer · 01/12/2025 19:37

We have to stay and watch training and matches. Under 10s. So have no choice. What would happen if your child got injured could the coaches contact you?

Just dress up warm. Take a hot drink with you, and good waterproofs. My childs team train year round.

DarkSunrise · 01/12/2025 19:36

Maybe they enjoy watching?

I was always thrilled that my children both played indoor sports but I love to watch them play so I’m guessing if they’d picked football, rugby or hockey I’d have bought nice warm boots and watched in the rain.

NerrSnerr · 01/12/2025 19:33

LlynTegid · 01/12/2025 19:23

You don't want to catch a cold or chill and pass it on. Consideration for others and courtesy to invite others.

You’re more likely to catch a cold from sitting in the cafe- being near someone with a cold in an enclosed space. If your reason is to not become unwell your best bet would be to stay outside.

holachicatita · 01/12/2025 19:27

I'd watch a match but training? Not a chance. Some parents do just enjoy watching their kids train though!