Bloody football...

[Whocansay]

Right, so I'm donning my hard hat!

My DCs are football mad (as is my DH). The DCs both have training once in the week and then matches on Saturdays (usually). This is all fine, me and DH juggle this quite happily.

My youngest DS is apparently very good, and has been asked to join another team which plays matches on a Sunday. This would also mean additional training in the week. If we agree to this, my other DS will also want to join a Sunday team. So, I have said this is not happening.

DH and I both work full time. Sunday is our only 'free' day (although youngest still has swimming!). I do not want to give this up, as I want to be able to do things other than football on a Sunday, or even - shock horror! - have a lazy day. My DH clearly thinks I am being selfish and should let both DSs join a Sunday team. AIBU?

@whocansay

DH has played in bands since his teens and I also play the guitar so the boys grew up with music around them. There was always something playing on the stereo and in the car. One took up the keyboard because his dad can't play that but the other is a good guitarist. They have long left home but they still play.

Hmmm I was going to have this decision to make but luckily DS10 decided he is happy to commit to only one team (Saturday) as that team often has friendlies, tournament days and futsal training as well as usual training 1 night per week... DS also trains 1 night at school and plays matches for them another week night.

Some kids on his team play competitively both weekend days however this makes it difficult as they often have to prioritise one over another.

There are plenty training sessions available round here if he decides he wants to play more and at least that means it is optional for us on those days

Personally I would let them do it, I have sport mad children, both academy level.

I have DS 13 holed up in his room, difficult to prise away from his computer (to be fair he has a damaged achilles). Good to keep them sporty as long as possible, matches are usually in the morning so you have the rest of the day free.

I don’t see anything wrong with it.

My week is:

Monday DC3 training (academy)
Tuesday-free
Wednesday DC2 training
Thursday-DC1 training
Friday DC2 training 2 hours each way
Saturday- DC1& DC2 match
Sunday DC3 & sometime DC1 match

Plus taking DC2 to catch a bus to higher level which is 2 hours away.

Its the norm in our house and im lost out of season. It doesn’t last forever!

I certainly wouldn’t be encouraging it myself. I think one team and one weekend day Is plenty. What are they going to get out of more football other than simply MORE football? Much better to spend time together as a family doing more varied activities imo.

You could flip it and say why do your dcs have such little family time because you both work full time 🤷🏻‍♀️

I know it’s a necessity although I know people who don’t need to work full time but carry on.

I’d dothe Sunday football. If something comes up, cancel it for that day. That’s what we would do!

YANBU OP. This is exactly why my dc don’t play football. Sunday is the only day of the week week don’t have to get up and go somewhere. As a couple, then a family, we have always done a lot of cycling/Mountain biking/hillwalking. This is what we do on Sundays, or nothing, or see friends, or... but the important thing s not having commitments. They do plenty of other stuff, and we are currently sirbding 3 days a week playing/training cricket. No sure how much longer I can hold off with DD, who has joined as afterschool girl’s football club and is itching for more.

My son started a sport aged 8 and by the age of 14 we were doing 3 trainings a week and matches on Saturdays and combining it with a long commute to school and his education. He often got home at 9.00 pm and was back up at 5 to do his homework.

He ended up playing at national level and getting good grades and is now at Uni.

It was a pain at times - sat in a cold car in the dark waiting for him and driving 1000s of kilometers over the years. BUT I would do it again in a heart beat. He learnt to be organized, disciplined and a team player. He made incredibly close friends who are now like brothers. He travelled to fascinating places and had great experiences. I got to watch his highs and lows on the pitch. And above all he loved it and had fun.

He gained so much more than I would have gained having some quiet weekends.

I say go for it. Give him this chance and see where it leads you.