My son (10) has a skateboard competition and my daughter (14) has a softball game?

Question

same day, one at 1 PM, the other at 1:30 PM. there is no wayi can be at both. how do i choose, they both want me to be there>

yeah, but daddy's on a buisness trip

marklemoore, that would be great, but i have 14 other kids that would be at home waiting for me. no peace and quiet there.

Answer 1

Going to your son's competition and staying for a little bit, then go to your daughter's game is the most obvious compromise but you can't make both, so here are a few options.

Talk to your kids and ask them both when the next competition or game will be. Chances are that your daughter's games are more frequent than your son's competitions. Let them decide together that they want you there and ask them to compromise with each other.

My choice would be to go to your son's competition because of the simple facts that A) skateboard competitions do not happen every weekend and B) if something were to happen, you'll be there already. Not to mention, and I am not questioning the maturity of your son, if he doesn't do well and make it to the finals or whatever, you can help him cope with defeat. In that sense, your daughter should be able to handle herself. Also, your son is 10, so you should be with him anyways.

Now, just in case, if the issue that you have to take them to both of these things arises, then work something out with a teammate of your daughter's parents about getting her to the game. That way you can go to your son's competition and know that your daughter is taken care of.

I hope I could be of some help to you with your problem.

Answer 2

Tell them that you can't choose between them, so you're abstaining from going to either this time around. Then stay home and enjoy some quiet time to yourself for once.

Additional: I was hoping that maybe your screen name was how you felt rather than what was really true. Well, I kind of wish I knew which one started at which time, how much time each one would approximately last and how far apart they are from each other time wise. For the skateboarding competition you would probably only have to be there during your son's event(s) for him to be satisfied with your attendance, while your daughter can be put in at any time during her game.

There are other matters which might need to be taken into consideration as well, such as how active each is likely to be in other events in the future, how many times you're been to each of their activities, and how important the present events are in reality to each of them. By the last I mean to say, is the softball game just one of many or is winning it important to the team's standing? Or is the same true on a personal level as far as your son and his competition?

If you can't reasonably divide up your time between them, then you need to choose according to these other factors.

If you've gone to a lot of your daughters events and she is likely to have more, and since your son is younger and competing as an individual rather than as part of a team, then it might be more important that you make his event if you only have one you can pick. If you haven't been to many or any of your daughter's events before, but have your son's, then you might want to go to her game. And etc. It all depends on the information you haven't given us.

Whichever you choose, it's best to acknowledge both of the events afterward. And, if possible, discuss the matter with them so that perhaps they can be part of some compromise.

Answer 3

I've Been there. The only thing I can suggest is to go at 1:00 and leave about 1:45 and finish up at the other one. Explain this ahead of time to the kids. Good Luck it is not fun shuffling between kids.

Answer 4

Show up at 1:00 pm for the first competition. Leave part-way through and go to the 2nd competition to catch the end of it.

Answer 5

well my 2 kids are the exact same ages as the 2 you described and i have encountered the same problem so i usually go with my younger one for a couple of different reasons 1) he is younger and needs more supervision and 2) i have gone to more if the older ones sports over the years. the only time i change it is if it is a big tournament or is a sport where there is greater risk of injury in case i am needed.

Answer 6

I would go to the event of the child that needed my physical/emotional support more.

The other child would understand and if a conflict like this came up again make them both understand that you will alternate.

Answer 7

That is the definition of being stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you're married, perhaps you could each take one of the events and he can video tape the one you're not at.

Answer 8

Well, I would go to the first competition and then leave and go to the other. Try to make it back to the first when the second is done. If they are close,switch back and forth through hour intervals.

Answer 9

Explain that you can only make it to one event.
Let the children decide peacefully amongst themselves which one you will go to.
Award the child who relinquishes their position with a prize and of course, lots of praise. (You might want to offer the prize before they negotiate).
Finally, the next time this happens, you simply switch.

Answer 10

honestly...go to one and watch it then leave and get to the other one in time to be able to watch it some...but ask someone who will be there the whole time to record it for you so that once you get back home you and your kids will be able to sit down together that way the other sibling will be able to see how the brother/sister did as well as you being able to spend a little more time with them to make up for you not being able to go to both...the whole time.