PV and I now are season ticket holders to the Vikings. This is very exciting to both of us, but the timing is sort of messed up. I haven't been to a game in a couple years, and now I would be able to go to 8 of them, except for one thing: I have a baby. I don't especially feel like working full time and taking 6 hours out of my weekend to leave him with a babysitter.
So, this stinks. If I go to the games, I'll feel bad. If I don't go, I'll feel cheated. What to do? How about this: can I take the baby with me?
Right now, he is 7 1/2 months. He's pretty easygoing. He doesn't fuss or cry much. He likes bright lights and stuff. He wouldn't need a ticket. Sounds good so far.
Our concern is the noise. Every year (every game?) the announcers talk about how visiting teams hate to play in the Metrodome because the noise is outrageous. Maybe all teams say that about their stadiums, I don't know. But I have been there, and it is VERY loud to me. I know lots of people bring babies to Twins games (I have heard, at least), but that is baseball. The game itself is more relaxed and quiet, the fans are a different sort of crowd, and the games rarely sell out, so there are fewer voices to add to the chaos. Football is a whole different world.
PV and I took the baby to a wedding in June, and it was pretty loud (much quieter than a Vikings game, though). We ended up leaving early because he was so upset. However, that was at like 10 at night, and his normal bedtime is 7:00-ish. Outside factors made him cranky. So, part of me thinks a noon game wouldn't be that hard for him to cope with. He might even have fun! We don't want to risk having to leave because he is freaking out, but it would be great if we could make it work to bring him along.
We probably won't try bringing him until October sometime, because PV's dad is coming for the Falcons game, and we aren't going to take any chances with the Packer game. The baby will be 9 months old by then. Does anyone have any ideas for how to help a baby enjoy a loud football game? Any experiences to share?
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- Cruelty-Free Mommy
- I am a mother who is suddenly finding that she knows it all and MUST SHARE WITH OTHERS! I have two sons (one born 1.07 and one due 4.09), a husband, a sweet doggie and a fiesty cat. Most of my days are spent with my family, reading, going for walks, visiting free local places, and watching movies. In my spare time, I teach high school English. I am a lutheran pacifist vegetarian who tries very hard to influence others without being a pushy jerk.
3 comments:
That's a tough one. I've never brought my children to a sporting event. They have never shown enough interest to justify the cost or aggravation.
I think you can bank on some inconvenience. Are there changing tables in the bathrooms of the Dome? How will you deal with the horrible language used by some fans? I'd emotionally prepare yourself to leave early if the baby is fussing badly too?
Let us know how it goes for sure.
We took Micah to a couple Duke basketball games which are loud. He was 5months for the 1st one and 18 months for the other one. It was VERY loud at both games and we were sitting in the grad setion which I would think would be louder then if we were sitting elsewhere in Cameron. But I have no idea. He was very good at both games but he didn't like the noise. Both times he would hide his head on mine or Justin's shoulder and try to watch the game.
Micah and I left early at both of the games because of bedtime. I really think we would have been able to stay for the 2nd game because as soon as we walked out into the hallway he wanted to cheer and watch the game. So the noise can cause a problem in not being able to enjoy the game. As Micah and were walking around the hallway to the door that was closest to where we were parked we would peek in the doors and watch alittle more of the game. This was ok for him because of the noise level unless a buzzer would go of, he didn't like those.
Phil brought us a great point about the changing tables. That is a whole blog someother time that I would like to write about. But Cameron didn't have any where we were sittingBut when Micah and I went back to watch Justin play in Cameron there were some in those bathrooms. SO you may need to ask or search for a bathroom that has one. But I wouldn't be surpirsed if they didn't have one.
All in all I would agree with Phil and be preared to leave early.
we had luck finding changing tables at a twins game this year (2008) and we use earplugs for our baby - the wax kind that you fill their ear up with (like for swimming) - not the kind that goes in the ear canal.
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