Not to understand why people keep asking about child friendly places to watch the England football match tonight?

[verdantverdure]

What am I missing?

I’ve seen a lot of people asking for ‘child-friendly’ places to watch the Euro 2024 final tonight, what's that about?

Our kids have literally no interest in football and will be in bed before it starts - did offer the 5yo the option and he said no!

However if they were keen, I’d love to watch it somewhere with a bit of atmosphere, without it being too rowdy!

And what’s that got to do with the price of butter? And why the need for the aggression? I’m saying that not only adults love football. The final is a massive deal. A 6pm kickoff finishing at 8.30ish doesn’t equal ‘In the Nightgarden’ you numpty.

Not everywhere has a church and community hall showing the final, the only places around here are home or the pub. I’d prefer to watch it in the pub like the other week when it was a mix of all ages and packed. It was a lot of fun.

@Whenwillitgetwarm

Cos it’s not all about kids and what suits kids?

Yeah but that’s sophisticated once you cross the Channel because well, er, just because.

Why is it when a poster says something about children/families that is perceived to be outlandish on MN, people default to assuming they’re child- free? It’s so annoying as 9/10 it’s a parent saying it. Most people on this site are parents 🙄

Perhaps they have children and want to watch the match together in a busy and social environment rather than a little insular unit in front of their own telly.
That's just a stab in the dark though.

It could also be paedos on the prowl.

We're watching at home, that's as child friendly as it gets

You know the match is actually at 9PM in mainland Europe 😂

Only in this country must kids disappear to bed late afternoon. No one wants to schedule earlier!

I’ll dare sharing a wild theory….maybe they have kids and want to watch football together with their kids? But dunno, maybe that’s a stretch. Personally I don’t understand why watching football equals getting pissed, swearing and fights, it totally can be a child friendly event.

I thought if child friendly was the priority then what's more child friendly than at home in their PJs?

But it's only child friendly at home and then PJs if it's your home and you're hosting.

For all those travelling to yours their kids aren't doing anything differently to those travelling to child friendly public viewings.

I think you've become so insular you cannot see beyond what works for you even when others involved with you don't have the same experience.

And so you're coming across as superior and narky which probably wasn't your intention.

Because some people want to watch the football somewhere that is child friendly.
My local is advertising itself as child friendly and has a party, music and face painting.

I hazard a guess that a lot of it isn't wanting somewhere 'child friendly' in that, no swearing/rowdiness/likelihood of fights. It's more likely to be wanting somewhere that will let children in no matter what, period, so that parents can watch it without having to find childcare, and where there's the 'atmosphere' they crave rather than at home.

Sometimes it's nice to be in a place with a bit more atmosphere/communal spirit.

😄

“What am I missing?”

(daft MN expressions bingo)

Round here we have churches, schools, and a few spaces where they're putting a large screen in parks. Some are saying non-drinking, some are offering refreshments, and some say bring your own.

But it's not just football. When Andy Murray got to Wimbledon finals lots of places offered big screen viewing. I follow tennis, but not football, and I really enjoyed watching his final with other people. I can totally understand why people want to watch together - there was a great atmosphere.

Actually the recent Lionesses qualifier kicked off at 8pm too. I’d bet more kids watch men’s football.

I’m pleased to see that churches are putting on screenings. Some intensive praying wouldn’t go amiss at the same time. England do need a miracle.

But if child friendly is the priority then I'm wondering why not watch it at home?
For many people it is going to be a massive social event. If England win it is going to be quite a historical moment. People want to be part of the celebration.

Not all children are going to be little ones. Many are going to be mid teens but are too young to be in pubs and will want to be with their mates as well as family.
Our local church put the game on last Wednesday and put free food and soft drinks on and it was a great social occasion bringing people from different backgrounds together to enjoy themselves.

I think OP would say you should go to neither of those performances, but instead listen in your own home, as the sound quality will be better, no need to interact with other people and it saves fuss.

Yes I was wondering why kick-off is 20.00, when it's in Europe and on a Sunday!

Maybe it's something to do with worldwide TV deals - I don't know.

I thought if child friendly was the priority then what's more child friendly than at home in their PJs?

Child-friendly can be one of your priorities without being your only priority. If everywhere is 'less child-friendly' than your living room, why ever take your children anywhere? There might be horrible people at the park, so stay at home and play in your garden. Why take them to the cinema when they can just stay at home and watch a film in their pyjamas?

Sometimes it's nice to go somewhere different and make it a bit more of a community event, OP. Do you honestly not understand that it might be more exciting for children to go and watch the match somewhere else, with other families and kids? Besides, not everyone has space in their living room to invite a crowd round.

I think we live in the same area! All the pubs where I live in north London are brilliantly family friendly. We're off to one shortly with our friends and DCs and the dog!