Son's Saturday football league, and the baby naps at exactly kick-off

silver_kettle_566710 Aug 2026

My 12 year old has started in an inter-club league this season. Matches are Saturday afternoons, at grounds all over the city, and he would very much like his mother there. The baby's long nap is 2 to 4. Kick-off is usually 3. My partner can't do Saturdays most weeks. I tried taking her once, with the pram and a fan, and spent the match walking up and down behind the goal trying to keep her asleep. I saw maybe ten minutes of football. How do people with a baby and an older child do weekend matches? Or do I accept I'll make every second one and explain that to him?

2 comments

linen_violin_169210 Aug 2026
I'm the parent on the touchline most weekends. What our daughter asks afterwards is 'did you see my pass', not 'did you watch the whole thing'. One properly watched half, where he can see you on the touchline, may count for more with him than ninety minutes of you pacing behind the goal. And if you do go every second week, tell him in advance which ones. It's the surprise absence children mind.
- silver_kettle_566710 Aug 2026
  That's helpful, and humbling. He did say afterwards that he saw me 'walking around with the baby'. I'll fix alternate Saturdays with him and see if the first half works.
fennel_basket_915712 Aug 2026
With our 2 year old it's the same at any function, anything outside his routine and he's gone. I take him only if I can sit near the car. Then if he wakes up crying I just go sit inside with the AC on and watch from there. Not the best view but I'm there.