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Parents, I've got a 9 year old.

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My five year old daughter has watched more Canes games over the last two years than my wife of 13 years ever has.

Her first real viewing experience was in 2020 with the beat down of the Noles. King was her favorite player then Rooster and TVD. She vcried when Borregalles missed the FG vs. UVA in 2021. Someday I’ll explain the positives of that miss LOL.

She somehow watched the entire BCU game (she loves the action/TDs), but checked out at halftime for Southern Miss and 8&4. The final result sucks, but it’s such a great feeling to have this bond with her. Don’t give up!

It’s tougher getting to games since we’re on the West Coast (Bay Area), but at least the 9:00 pm kickoff wasn’t as bad for us, haha.
Looking forward to getting to some games in 2023.
 
The problem isn’t them watching football, the problem is them watching Miami football. Our offense is boring and we always lost to ranked OOC teams…always.
 
SayWhat said:
He's all about watching us play, well, until he isn't.

How do you keep their attention up with this team? I've said before that kids aren't interested in watching sports by and large, but he was so excited for this game to start. Said some cute *** things when a play would happen, always giving us the benefit of doubt when it didn't.

He was steadfast until halftime and then that was it. Maybe he fed off of me somewhat although what I was thinking in my head was I've seen this script before.

When I was growing up, it was fun watching us dismantle teams. Now, it's almost like we're gluttons for punishment. So what's your secret if you've got a little one or have been through it before. I'm trying to figure it out and make some memories with my boy and eventually we can talk about games present or past. I just don't want him to lose interest.

Thoughts?
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If you kept his interest until halftime, you're ahead of the curve. The rest will come, especially when you get to a nail biter in the fourth and call him to watch it.
 
SayWhat said:
He's all about watching us play, well, until he isn't.

How do you keep their attention up with this team? I've said before that kids aren't interested in watching sports by and large, but he was so excited for this game to start. Said some cute *** things when a play would happen, always giving us the benefit of doubt when it didn't.

He was steadfast until halftime and then that was it. Maybe he fed off of me somewhat although what I was thinking in my head was I've seen this script before.

When I was growing up, it was fun watching us dismantle teams. Now, it's almost like we're gluttons for punishment. So what's your secret if you've got a little one or have been through it before. I'm trying to figure it out and make some memories with my boy and eventually we can talk about games present or past. I just don't want him to lose interest.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Nine-year-old boys have the attention of a cat these days. Like a cat chasing a mouse, they do have focus playing video games. My middle son was different. He started playing tackle football at age 7 and loved hitting kids the second he suited up his first practice.
 
I've got a 9 year old and he can make it through a whole day game on TV. He is on an 11 year old level academically though. A couple years ago he couldn't make it through a whole game even though he was interested.

I think a true 9 year old age may not be fully there yet. Of course, everyone's experiences can vary. Seems it's a borderline age.
 
9 to 12 years is the time to indoctrinate them.... after that you start losing them.
Take them to see the tailgating... the fan comradery.... those U souped up big wheels.. Heck, I even bought em Turnover Chains with those Cuban links..
Remember that their memories will be much bigger than how they actually saw it... mind has a way of inflating great memories.

My younger son still talks about the preseason scrimmages I took him to in Orlando and games at Hard Rock when he was in middle school.... long drive from Windermere but worth every minute..
Talk to them with joy and passion, buy them hot dogs... let them have the greatest experiences... It will be more than just the game... spend some money on their experiences not yours. Well worth the extra money.... You will have Cane fans and Dad fans for life.
Remember, they will always remember their experiences and fun they had with you .

Trust these words from a father of 2 boys who have grown up.... Still have fond memories and wish I had made 10 times more memories
 
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9? ROFL my father got me started on the Canes and Dolphins when I was 5. I'd watch on TV, then first ever in-person game was shortly after that against UF in the OB, the famous Mark Richt-Danny Miller game. Was going to Canes games reguarly that year, started going to the Dolphins in 82. I guess in retrospect it was easy to keep my interest, since the teams were at least decent and the games were often good. Those games and teams kinda spoke for themselves, he didn't really need to sell me that hard, when my favorite player was future Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. Though I have to say, the OB was kind of a rough place for a 6-9 year old back then, especially with the Dolphins crowd.....lot of drunk plumbers and other assorted union workers in the stands on Sundays in that era. In many ways the game and stadium atmosphere is a lot more tame and kid-friendly today.
 
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LPK2006 said:
9? ROFL my father got me started on the Canes and Dolphins when I was 5. I'd watch on TV, then first ever in-person game was shortly after that against UF in the OB, the famous Mark Richt-Danny Miller game. Was going to Canes games reguarly that year, started going to the Dolphins in 82. I guess in retrospect it was easy to keep my interest, since the teams were at least decent and the games were often good. Those games and teams kinda spoke for themselves, he didn't really need to sell me that hard, when my favorite player was future Hall of Famer Jim Kelly. Though I have to say, the OB was kind of a rough place for a 6-9 year old back then, especially with the Dolphins crowd.....lot of drunk plumbers and other assorted union workers in the stands on Sundays in that era. In many ways the game and stadium atmosphere is a lot more tame and kid-friendly today.
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He's watched blips of games prior, but this year he's more into it. When I was younger, if we weren't off doing whatever, that's what we did. ****, I watched all kinds of sports, baseball spring training, Braves, etc. Now, all these electronics it's mostly what they care to do. They'd rather watch a tablet than television by and large.

My 9 year old still plays outside a ton. The 12 year old, forget about it. If not for football, most would take him for an albino as he doesn't step outside unless we're doing a family activity. I can't complain, he's got real talent, size, and is all A's with a B or two on report cards. The active 9 year old, school, I want to kill him at timesz but he is doing better now. When Covid hit and they had to work from home, I thought I was going to be the end of him. Stubborn as **** like his mom.
 
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