Baby's first hockey game... am I wrong here?

coastie · Nov 18, 2003

Here's the issue. In our families, hockey is second only to church.

One of the things I look most forward to in fatherhood (we just had our first about 2 months ago) is taking my son to his first hockey game.

Well my wife is taking my son to Ottawa to visit family and see her uncle who is dying from cancer. As if that wasn't far enough outside my comfort zone, my father-in-law bought my wife and the rest of the family tickets to an Ottawa Senators game.

I wouldn't mind if it was just my wife going but she'll have to take the baby too.

My first issue with that is that I doubt he will enjoy all of the noise, the people, the enrgy that is characteristic to hockey games, so I don't think he should go.

My father-in-law then suggested that if he had a problem he;d take the baby to the bar (the one at the stadium) and watch the game from inside there if he got fussy (which is a given).

Here's my big issue, and this may be completely out of line and just plain self-centered. I remeber my first hockey game vividly. I went with my dad and it was (don't laugh) a defining moment in my life. I will never forget what it was like to smell the ice for the first time and here the rumble of the crowd and the smashing of the players against the boards.

I know that Liam is too young to remember this, but it means even more to me to take my son to his first game than it did to go to my first game with MY dad.

My wife is getting a lot of pressure put on her to go, and her dad bought the tickets without asking us first. And I can't even go to Ottawa since I can't get any more time off from work.

Am I wrong to feel this way?

mamaneenie · Nov 18, 2003

I can understand that it is important to you, to take your baby to the game, especially since you love hockey so much. It's only natural to want to share your interest with your baby.

The first thing I thought of, is at 2 mths, the baby will probably sleep through it. I wouldn't let anyone take a small baby anywhere near a bar, if the baby really wasn't coping, I would just go home. My son at 2 mths slept through everything and was quite content to tag along wherever we were going. I was breastfeeding too, so that made life very easy. I really don't know what the answer is for you. But if the baby does tag along to the hockey game, he will probably eat and sleep through it.

coastie · Nov 18, 2003

thanks...

I doubt he'll sleep through all that noise. And that is what worries me. I figure he'll probably be screaming all the time.

As far as him hanging out with grandpa in the bar, I couldn't agree more.

HeatherJay · Nov 18, 2003

Have you talked to your wife about how much this is bothering you? Maybe she could just politely explain to the family that a hockey game (or the bar at the hockey game) is no place for a 2 month old baby. Maybe they could find a babysitter for the night so that your wife can still go enjoy herself. Actually, she'd probably appreciate a little time to herself without your sweet little monkey attached to her

Love, Heather

Risen Tree · Nov 19, 2003

Another rising hockey fan! Welcome to the club, my man!

I started watching the sport several years ago and quickly fell in love with it. In my 22 years of existence, I've never found a better sport to watch, with the possible exception of soccer. It simply has everything: hard-nosed action, keep-you-on-your-toes intensity, lots of speed, multiple game-deciding plays, and delightful unpredictability.

I've been to quite a few hockey games over the last few years and have seen people of all ages there. Babies don't always come, but I think that's because the fans need to have their arms free to stand up and yell on a moment's notice. Believe me, when your team scores, you don't want to worry about what's in your arms; you just want to jump up and scream YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAH we scored!

The next time I go to a game, I may take more note of this. There may be plenty of babies in attendance; I just haven't noticed them.

OK, you're probably thinking, Rising Tree, you haven't answered my question.

Chief, this is going to be up to you. If I were in your shoes, I'd find some way to keep the baby at home or with some relatives, if you have any that you could trust. I think your family is dragging you to the game simply because they just love hockey and would like to take you along with them. Take advantage of it!

HeatherJay · Nov 19, 2003

Rising Tree said:
Another rising hockey fan! Welcome to the club, my man!

I started watching the sport several years ago and quickly fell in love with it. In my 22 years of existence, I've never found a better sport to watch, with the possible exception of soccer. It simply has everything: hard-nosed action, keep-you-on-your-toes intensity, lots of speed, multiple game-deciding plays, and delightful unpredictability.

I've been to quite a few hockey games over the last few years and have seen people of all ages there. Babies don't always come, but I think that's because the fans need to have their arms free to stand up and yell on a moment's notice. Believe me, when your team scores, you don't want to worry about what's in your arms; you just want to jump up and scream YYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAH we scored!

The next time I go to a game, I may take more note of this. There may be plenty of babies in attendance; I just haven't noticed them.

OK, you're probably thinking, Rising Tree, you haven't answered my question.

Chief, this is going to be up to you. If I were in your shoes, I'd find some way to keep the baby at home or with some relatives, if you have any that you could trust. I think your family is dragging you to the game simply because they just love hockey and would like to take you along with them. Take advantage of it!

I think they're not dragging HIM...they're dragging his wife and baby. He has to stay home to work. He doesn't want his little one going to the game without his daddy.

Evening Mist · Nov 20, 2003

I can't imagine taking a 2 month old baby to a hockey game. That sounds like potential heck for mom and babe. Just the thought of changing a newborn diaper in a place like that makes my skin crawl. The noise can't be good either. There is unlikely to be a good clear space for pacing back and forth bouncing him. I've breastfed every possible place imaginable -- but kind of doubt I would want to at a hockey game! The whole idea sounds really "off" to me.

That said -- This is a big deal to you -- a higher priority for you than to anyone else. Your priority ought to be respected. If my DH made himself vulnerable, came to me and gently communicated how important this was to him... there is not a chance in a million years that I could resist him.

coastie · Nov 23, 2003

Well, thank you, everyone for your input.

My wife agreed that it wasn't a good idea after all. And I think she felt a little sorry for me sicne I'm all alone 1,300 miles away from my son and her.

Rising tree, you wouldn't by any chance be a San Jose Sharks fan would you? Good on you for choosing the best sport in the world!

If you ever have any questions about the sport or anything, just let me know. I do some freelance writing on hockey. I'll talk your ear off.

Again, thank you every one. I was feeling a little ganged up on before I started this post, and you all really helped me validate the apprehension I was feeling. Thanks!

Zach

E-beth · Nov 23, 2003

I Absolutely LOVE hockey and can't wait to take my kid to a game...but what keeps me from doing it now is the fear that a puck will come sailing into the stands and whonk him in the head. I saw a woman get bonked in the head once and they took her out in a stretcher. I can only imagine what it woulkd do to a 18 month old.

When I do take him, I plan on staying up top and letting him walk around and dance and watch people.

But I definitely think it is Daddy's place to take a kid to his first hockey game. I am planning on being the one to take him to his first movie, his first day of school, and to his first hockey game.

Risen Tree · Nov 26, 2003

coastie said:
Rising tree, you wouldn't by any chance be a San Jose Sharks fan would you? Good on you for choosing the best sport in the world!

If you ever have any questions about the sport or anything, just let me know. I do some freelance writing on hockey. I'll talk your ear off.

Again, thank you every one. I was feeling a little ganged up on before I started this post, and you all really helped me validate the apprehension I was feeling. Thanks!

Zach

Well, considering that my second favorite team is the Dallas Stars, that would be an emphatic "no." Man I miss watching those Sharks-Stars games! Ah, the hated Sharks of the late '90s...Owen Nolan, Marchment , Ricci (the one Shark I genuinely like)...oh man I'm getting psyched up just thinking about it! I miss the rivalry!

But with those guys gone, and with our subtraction of Belfour, Hatcher, etc., who's left on our team to hate? Modano?

BTW, the Tank has a cool goal horn. But ours is better.

Nice California Seals avatar.

Risen Tree · Nov 26, 2003

E-beth said:
I Absolutely LOVE hockey and can't wait to take my kid to a game...but what keeps me from doing it now is the fear that a puck will come sailing into the stands and whonk him in the head. I saw a woman get bonked in the head once and they took her out in a stretcher. I can only imagine what it woulkd do to a 18 month old.

When I do take him, I plan on staying up top and letting him walk around and dance and watch people.

But I definitely think it is Daddy's place to take a kid to his first hockey game. I am planning on being the one to take him to his first movie, his first day of school, and to his first hockey game.

The league installed some safety netting a year ago that catches a lot of propelled pucks. Now it's rare to see a line drive propel into the stands; usually it's just a soft floater over the side boards that poses no real threat to anybody.

coastie · Nov 26, 2003

I was going to mention that... the only problem is all the noise. I would think most kids would be scared on the verge of terified at all the people and the noise.

RT- good call on the CA Seals logo! I'm impressed.

Risen Tree · Nov 29, 2003

I just got back from a game and, per this thread, decided to survey the crowd for youngster. I saw several little kids but no babies there.

Baby's first hockey game... am I wrong here?

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