Earlier this week, I attended an MLB game with my college scholarship class, getting an inside look at sports marketing. The thing is, I learned more than I expected–not about sports marketing, but about taking youngsters to a sporting event.
It was an exciting experience and a great baseball game; I even saw a bat that Babe Ruth used in 1947. But there was more to the experience than that.
Three children, all under 11 years of age, participated, too. At first, everything was fine … until a hotdog mascot showed up. That’s when the youngsters started cursing and being rude. It got to the point that they were asked to leave the group.
The experience made me think about parents–what they might do (what I might do as a parent)–to avoid such a thing happening. So, here are my top three tips for parenting at sporting events.
3. Make a budget: A day at a sporting event can be expensive. Make a budget for how much you’ll spend on your children and follow it carefully—for example, one hotdog should do, not three.
2. Supervise your children always: It can be easy to lose track of youngsters. So, make sure you stay with your children at all times. You may miss some of the game but put your parental responsibilities first.
1. Institute a disciplinary system: If your child misbehaves three times (AKA “Three Strikes and You’re Out”), discipline them, including leaving the game and/or curtailing/withdrawing a benefit when they get home.
Following these tips isn’t just about good parenting; it will also enhance the sporting experience for fans.
