Tips for football parents

[scrappydappydoo]

So DD (6) is all signed for her first season with a football club. She loves/lives football. DH and I are clueless - we don't even watch the world cup.
So far I've managed to navigate getting her kitted out by standing in sports direct looking pathetic with the club kit list. However standing and watching practice the other day I've realised this will be MY life for at least 4hrs a week for a year. It was one of those moments where I realised that at some point its going to get v. cold and wet and snowy and generally miserable and I couldn't run to the safety of my car as it was in the car park and the club insist you are there to watch at her age. So what are your top tips for parents to keep warm, dry and sane??

Get your child into cricket - much nicer sitting on the side in the sun with a glass of wine than standing in a muddy, wet field in the rain with a thermos!

Actually, it's not that bad, if you go prepared! I did once see a parent sitting in a pop up shelter, which looked a great idea! My FIL used to take non-prescription spectacles with side shields as his eyes used to water in the wind/cold, and he couldn't watch without them.

Layers, good boots, big umbrella. Find like minded i.e not overly competitive parents to chat to or use it as an opportunity to do some exercise or walk the dog etc.

1. Get yourself some wellies that are a couple of sizes bigger than your shoe size.

a) you can wear extra thick socks on top of your other socks b) they are then easy to get off before driving home as you sensibly bought them a bit big

1. Limit your liquid intake. The toilets at most grounds are usually either non-existent or just horrible (ALWAYS take tissue in your pocket). Even if you have a nice toilet at your ground, it is a pain trying to get through all your layers

1. Yes to BIG umbrella

1. Definite yes to a big sheet / dust cover and an old towel to protect your can when they get in all wet and covered in mud

1. Definite yes to layers

Buy a decent umbrella - the £5 ones from Sports Direct will disintegrate within a month. I have a storm proof Fulton one that cost £35 but has lasted 6 year and counting.

Towels and bin bags are very handy for keeping the car clean. I have a friend who puts her kids feet/legs in to a bin bag as they get in the car, which works a treat.

Definitely agree with the point about never assuming there will be toilets at away games - I learned this lesson that hard way!

We had the fulton umbrella too, This one.

Still going strong after 7 years. Good size, not as huge as a full size golf umbrella but comfortably fits 2 people and withstands moderate wind.

Both mine have just started their first season and they both train on the same night but 1 hour after the other.
Keep a ball in the car for the non-player to practice with, they’ll quickly make a friend. Last winter I had a hot water bottle up my jumper for training (in the snow)
Make friends with the other parents, we go to Wetherspoons for breakfast after Sunday football, take ball in boot for kids to play on park.
Rope in Great Uncles/Step Dads/cousins etc to go to matches when you can, they love it!