Grandparents at Baseball Games

I am so glad I read this. I get so annoyed when I can't watch the game because of constantly being talked at, lol. I am going to try sitting by myself and see if this certain someone gets the hint. Thanks for asking such a great question. People just don't get how obnoxious they can be. :)

I don't know if there's any baggage in your mind with the in-laws not visiting as often as your parents - just remember that some people are more "kid" people than others, and some grandparents are just more "grandparenty".

Re. the sporting events - I'd take this season to "re-educate" them on sporting ettiquite (LOL), especially if something has changed (new coach, different league, whatever you can use as an excuse). Let them know about the new "policy" of only being encourageing (as the other mom recommended). I like the "keeping statistics" idea to keep mom from chatting all the time - maybe SHE can do it on the games she attends, or you can split the "duty".

Don't play hostess this year - introduce them around. Heck, they might love it!

I was thinking - are all the games about the same distance from them, or are some farther than others? Perhaps you can give them the full schedule, but highlight the ones that are closest to them as the most convenient for them - cause you know they're busy, have to travel farther, blahblah. Let them pick the games, but it might get you a few on your own. Good luck!

I agree with B - you do need to get over the entertaining issue. That is not your job at the game. It is to enjoy the game along with socializing with the parents - that's how you 'build a village'. If they show up late, don't have a place where they can sit by you - oops, all seats are taken :) But, I wouldn't deny them going to the games. However, I see nothing wrong with giving them a limited schedule but that could backfire on you (especially when your child asks why they weren't at the game), so be careful. Also, she's your mom, politely tell her to stop talking, that you want to watch the game.

Please do not make your children suffer by removing them from the sports programs, sports is so important for the physical and mental maturing process for all children!! We have so many precious memories from the many hours and weekends that we spent with our two daughters at their fast pitch softball games!!
I can't understand why your inlaws demand to be given schedule, come to the games and then grumble about "having" to be there....I wonder if there is a little bit of "competition" that they feel with your parents, since your parents seem to really WANT to be involved in the childrens lives on a daily basis?
My first thought was, get yourself an official scorebook and busy yourselves with keeping score of the games. If the parents try to visit with you remind them ( kindly) that you are here to watch the game and really want to be able to "keep statistics" on your childrens participation. Maybe you could arrange to have "family time" after the games are over, bring along a small ice chest filled with cold drinks, fresh fruit, and sit around the car on lawn chairs and visit and just spend time with the grandparents.
If none of this works, you may just need to be brave and have a talk with them and tell them that you love having them come to watch the games with you but that you really want to be able to spend that time concentrating on the game. You might also help them get to know some of the other parents ( and grandparents!!!) that come to the game so they can interact with everyone...and not just you and your husband!!
Your children really are so blessed to have both sets of grandparents live so closely. My girls never got to share the thrill of all the years that they spent in fast pitch softball with their grandparents because none of them lived close enough to be involved!!
R. Ann

My in-laws come to every sporting event for both of my boys. I consider bonding with the other team parents to be an important and enjoyable aspect of having kids in sports so I usually choose to sit next to other parents and not my in-laws. If I feel like it, I will sometimes sit next to my in-laws, but my FIL likes to talk a lot during the games too. If that happens, I just try not to respond to discourage him from further talking. If he says things that I consider inappropriate or embarrassing, I definitely don't sit next to them for the next game. On occassion, when it's something that really concerns me I mention it to my husband so he can say something to them. Many older people are hard of hearing and don't realize that other people can hear the things they say. Could that be part of the problem? I know that happens sometimes with my FIL and my grandmother, who both have hearing loss. So, if I were you, I would find some friendly parents to sit next to at the baseball games! Have a good season.

No matter what we love having our parents at our children's games. We usually all sit together as well. During the games I can carry on a conversation with my mother/MIL and still watch the game.

Sounds like my situation, just replace baseball with soccer but it only involves my in-laws. My mom comes to every game but likes to watch and pay attention like I do. We did exactly what you were thinking...we only give them a partial or limited schedule of the games!! If my child happens to be talking about a game and it was one my in-laws weren't at and they look a little confused about it...I just say you know that game on 'that' Saturday....not a lie...there was a game on 'that' Saturday....but they just weren't invited...it just kind of goes over their head and they just assume they missed something...probably because they knew they weren't really paying attention!! Also, I don't know the seating situation at your games, we have to take our own chairs - my mom, hubby and I try to squeeze ourselves in between other people so they aren't able to sit right next to us!

Wow, this looks like our family, only I (the Aunt) My father and mom and their spouses all now do not attend any of the niece and nephews games any longer. These kids are the team captains, quarter back, catcher.. Amazing athletes.

My sister told us we were obnoxious and we drive her crazy at the games. My father used to take at least 300 photos at each game.. He would post them on his website. My daughter has attended the schools that my niece and nephew now attend and I was the PTA Prez and very active, so I know and am friends with many parents, teachers and administrators. There is a lot of visiting in the stands (most times these people approach us to visit). We cheer on all of the kids even the other teams when they have good plays.

She asked us to not attend any longer.

My sister did not tell the kids why we no longer attend. She told us not to tell them either! So we do not attend. My nephew must have figured it out because he told my sister I told him she would not allow us to attend and she called me up screaming at me "how dare you tell him that." I told her I had not contacted the kids since she told us not to, maybe he is smart enough to figure it out on his own?

This has broken our hearts. We tried to not speak loudly, to try to not sit close to our sister (really we never did) , but she said we made her nervous being there.

Be careful what you wish for. Others have noticed that we are no longer there. I just tell them we were told we were obnoxious. I just leave it at that.

We let my son play tball last year. We made the mistake of letting his dad and nana know when the games were. They showed up to EVERY game and even if I weren't there they would try to talk to my husband and sit next to him as though he were their best friend. (he hates them) so what did we do this year? We didn't sign him up for tball and when he gets a little older to where he can comprehend how things are done we may sign him up for karate or something along those lines without letting them know!

I understand. My stepmom (has no children)& father started going to my kids games when my children were in high school - rarely, before that. Now that they are in collegiate sports it makes me crazy! The expectation is that we ride with them and sit with them, listen to them complain about the weather, traffic, and talk (loudly) about other players. They go to EVERY game! We now stand away from them & ride alone. It's a 3 hour drive. In 5 years they have offered only once, because they were not going- to watch our younger child so my husband and & I could attend a weekday game together. They watched the game on the computer when they were with him. When I asked on another occasion if they could help (playoff game) the response was that my dad would do it if I brought my stepmom! We were going with another couple. (The games are late and often times during the week). My step mother insists on baking for the team (my boys are 21 & 18- they don't ask & are good at humoring her to not upset her). In the past, she has even baked things for my daughter that my daughter couldn't eat ( containing nuts) when she was an athlete. Most recently, there was a game I couldn't attend. My parents went & grabbed the promo poster that was handed out that night - (a photo of my son). They grabbed one for themselves & one for the pizza place in their town! Weird, since my kids don't even know the people there. We never got one nor did my son. Trying to hold it together for the kids sake. Good luck!

As much as they annoy you at times, there is no reason to exclude them from seeing their grandkids play sports. You should feel very blessed they are able to come. All my family lives over 15 hours away and I haven't seen any of them since Thanksgiving. Count your blessings.

I think you are complaining too much. How long does a game last? Two hours max? I'll tell you, my husband and I sit at our kids ball games, and WISH that the grandparents were there. I think you are lucky. They may irritate you at times but it is only for a few hours, and really, your kids are paying attention and know that they are there, and the kids can't hear the grandparents complaining, they just know they are there. Thats what really matters.

I have 3 boys (16, 7, 5) who are all involved in judo twice a week and the younger 2 are in soccer, just finished basketball and will start baseball next month. Our family is very close (my parents, siblings, in-laws, etc.) so I encourage everyone to come to the games. I also let them know that since I am constantly cheering for the kids that I don't have time to socialize much. The first few games I did have to take time out to explain how things work because they are so different now than when my parents came to my games - they don't keep score, everyone gets the same play time, etc. It also confused my parents a little when I cheered or congratulated the opposing team. I explained to them that it really means a lot to a player to hear positives from other parents and that if they deserve it I give it. Now that they have adjusted they understand that I am usually so focused on the game that a tornado could blow through and I wouldn't notice until the game is called!