Football - meh :-( Another moan!

[lauracutee]

I feel like all I'm doing is moaning on here! Oh well, better out than in ;-)

So, I'm expecting a baby boy and my family are really starting to wind me up with football references!!!

My DH and I are not sporty in the slightest, and have no interest in football. We've agreed that we'll take our baby to various groups and classes and he can choose what activities he likes without any pressure from us, whether that's sport, art, drama, whatever (I'm into art, etc but baby may not be).

But....my family are big football fans. My dad and my uncle are already going on about what rival football strips they'll be buying the baby, my dad is going on about taking him to football matches and every time he kicks, they're going 'Oh he'll be a footballer, he'll play for...(their fave team).'

It makes me cringe - and this might sound mean - to see babies/little kids in football strips, and as my DH and I can't stand football, we won't be doing anything football-related with him unless when he is old enough he himself expresses and interest in football.

And what if he'd been a girl?!! They wouldn't be saying any of this which seems a bit silly to me.

I know this is all a bit pointless but I fancied a moan and I'd like some opinions please!!!! :-)

Moan away! And nod and smile. And just remember that you are the one who gets to dress your baby, not your dad or your uncle :)

Oh dear - that sounds like a nightmare, and makes me very glad we've got a surprise sex baby on the way!

Seems very stereotypey to me and can appreciate your annoyance. In a nice way, they are showing how they'd like to include your DS in the family and bond with him as time goes on - but they should be a bit more respectful of your unwillingness to stereotype your poor child before he's even taken his first breath!

Do they know how much it winds you up? It's probably worth a polite conversation about how maybe he'll like ballet (BIlly Elliot) or running (Mo Farah) rather than footy and you don't want to colour his judgement at too young an age.

If they buy kits etc, I guess the worst you'd have to do is dress DS in it one time for pictures then put it in his baby box for later life - especially if rival teams are vying for his affection.

DP and I are very similar to you and yours by the sounds of it - we do lots of outdoorsy things like running, mountain biking etc but tend to avoid professional team sports.

People know that we're unwilling to push a child of ours into that kind of realm, but if they do - and DP's family are massive rugby league fans - then hey, I'm happy for them to try and create some bond with junior that way. Doesn't mean we have to condone it or agree with it, but may give them some common ground as they grow older...

I know I'm being a bit silly :-)

BraveLilBear - totally agree. Every time they mention him 'being a footballer' I say, 'he might want to be a dancer/actor/vet/hairdresser/anything but a footballer ;-).'

My hubby is English and I'm Scottish and my Dad said 'So he could play for Scotland OR England.' EH?!!!! Grr, makes me angry!

I'm really against boys being 'toughened up' and certain things being 'expected' of each gender. Can't wait til my Dad sees my baby in his pink leopard print swaddle wrap, cuddling his My Little Pony :-D