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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
gingertomfromnextdoor · 01/12/2025 19:01

My most hated thing (although rugby in my case), to be avoided at all costs! 🤣

KellyJonesLeatherTrousers · 01/12/2025 19:13

YANBU! Bad enough having to be behind that respect rope on the weekend without doing it for training too. I drop and run.

Isadora2007 · 01/12/2025 19:14

I don’t stand out in the rain- but when it’s cold and dark I often watch for a bit. Just to show support and interest and get to know the other parents…

Hufflemuff · 01/12/2025 19:16

My son briefly did football and i never understood why it was the only activity you couldn't just drop them at and leave. Its the most boring, shit, depressing activity and we were never allowed to leave them there. It was some club rule - we weren't even able to park up and watch from the car.

So safe to say when DS mentioned he didnt think he wanted to do football anymore - i bloody jumped for joy.

ResusciAnnie · 01/12/2025 19:20

YANBU but football/sport parents seem to be a different breed to me (and you!)

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!

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.

YellowCherry · 01/12/2025 19:22

I'd watch a match whatever the weather but as this is training YANBU.

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.

NerrSnerr · 01/12/2025 19:24

I’ll always watch from the sidelines. My son is 8 and likes the reassurance that I’m nearby. I don’t mind a bit of rain and cold- I make sure I wrap up warm. Wouldn’t begrudge anyone else sitting in the cafe though.

Pixiedust49 · 01/12/2025 19:25

Well I hate sport in general especially football…but.. my DD loved it from around 5 years old so obviously I got swept along! I’m the least likely person ever to watch football but over the years I’ve come to absolutely love it. It’s not the football itself it’s her passion and talent for it that I love to watch! She’s now in a ladies youth team and I’m so proud of her. I have always stayed and watched to support her and still do.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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?!

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?

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

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:
Annoyeddd · 01/12/2025 19:49

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

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:
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:
NerrSnerr · 01/12/2025 19:52

RessicaJabbit · 01/12/2025 19:48

I have magical device called a mobile phone...

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).

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: