DH wants to take dd to a football match !

[Metrobaby]

I've never in my life been to one so have no idea what they are like.

dd is 4. Has anyone taken their dd/ds to a game? Should I be worried? Any tips

I have never ever been to one either but have seen enough on the tv to make me tell dp that he couldn't take any of mine until they were at least 10.

that should of said 'ours' not mine.

The only thing I'd worry about would be whether she will sit through 90 minutes of a match, or whether she will get bored and want to walk around / play etc and then would dh be willing to miss any of it?
I think I was about 8 when I first went, and by then was fascinated by the football, the crowd, the shouting, the swearing . Where would he be taking her?

Where would he be taking her, Metrobaby? There's a lot of difference between going to a "big match" like a Premiership game, or just a small local footie game, which wouldn't be nearly so overwhelming and intimidating for a small child.

My DH and his friend are planning to take DS1 to a match at Brentford (not a Premiership club) this season, and I think that will be fine, although I'm not sure that the football will hold his interest right the way through! But DH says they will just leave early if he gets really fed up.

metrobaby my DH has taken DS1 to a few matches, mostly evening ones (on a Friday or in hols).
I was concerned about would he last out but he was fine, slept in the car going there.
Came home full of it, which player he liked etc.
He was 5 in the summer, went to his 1st one end of last season i think.
I think if you are in a family area then the swearing shouldn't be too bad (my other worry).
Also as grumpy says it is noisy which some children hate.
You migt just find DD gets fed up and they have to leave before the end, if that would be a problem (for your Dh) then maybe wait another year?

My DS1 started going to matches when he was 4. As long as your dh doesn't get frustrated because she's only interested in the crowd then it'll be okay. I think it took a while before he became fully aware of the game. There's a lot to look at when you are at a match. It's a wonderful experience for children. I also think that it will be fantastic for them as father and daughter. Don't worry. It'll be great. Just think of all that me time you'll get.

Dh took dd to her first match when she was 5. It was a premiership reserves match and the tickets were free, so dh didn't care when she'd had enough at half time.
She's since been to an early round cup match, where again it was cheap (kids seats £1) although she watched and loved it all.

If it's a big game and she doesn't like noises then there could be tears. Also, in bygone times if someone swore too much you could ask them to tone it down but not sure if that would wash these days.

I took my dd twins to their first football match at the age of 3 and they loved it and continue to love football. I think they may have been an acception to the rule though as i don't think many kids would want to sit still etc, we are all a bit football crazy and they seem to like it too. What football match is being considered, thinking price etc, personally I wouldn't take a child to a BIG football match as i would leave if they didn't like it, and it would be a waste of money. Wouldn't worry about swearing etc football is actually very family friendly these days, family seating areas etc. My kids love the noise and even sing the songs, not the rude ones though!!- Which I must add they don't understand and really aren't that clear!!

My ds went to his first match (Arsenal at Highbury, courtesy of my sister as a Christmas present) last February when he was 6 and he loved it. We also took him to a game with some friends for his birthday. Football seems a family game these days and there were lots of families at Highbury. Ditto at our local football matches, there's a family stand and lots of children go. I wouldn't worry about a child going, only that if they were too young and not that interested they'd get bored and want to leave before half time.

Others have mentioned the swearing, but just in case you don't realise just how choice the language is there will be a lot of

'You f*&^ing c%$t, are you blind' (after a ref's decision)

'The referee is a w£$2er'

...most of the time. If you don't mind this then okay go for it.

Must admit I wouldn't let the bad language stop me, but just thought you ought to know.

I think it depends very much on the ground. Don't some of the bigger clubs now have family friendly areas?

Yes - but you can still hear the other stands from your vantage point in family friendly. I was until recently a regular attender at the Southampton grounds where they have a family friendly stand.

And some dads in the family stands do get carried away and forget themselves.

Ds1 went to his first game this season and he is 6. It's a local game though so not too big a crowd and there is a family stand. He was a bit fidgity in the second half but he had a toy with him and a few bits and pieces to eat which kept him going. He really enjoyed it but doesn't seem to bothered about a repeat performance even though he loves watching football on telly.