Erin watches the Wings games with me at home, but I've felt like a heel for wanting to keep her up way past her bed time to go to a hockey game we could watch recorded the next day at home.

Fail.

Thoughts about fatherhood, philosophy, fencing, and hockey abound at http://shawn-burns.livejournal.com/

You know. Nothing beats live.

Don't sweat the bedtime so much. Once in a great while isn't going to mess her up. We've taken my daughter to Preds games and we've bought tickets in the Family Fun Zone at the GEC (I still can't bring myself to call it the Sommet Center) and it's good for older kids. Mac is eight and she's all hockey crazy like her old man, step mom, and little brother.

Damn I'm going to miss her.

But at least I made her promise not to pull for any of those damn California teams.

-Will
http://www.gamingwithbaby.com all your diapers are belong to us
fatdadcooking.com coming soon!
my flickr

Ok, first you have to get your kids to like a team better than the dead wings. The sharks or flyers would be a good start.....

Anyway, I've taken my now 4 year old to three games for the Stockton Thunder, ECHL. For some reason the arena thinks that everyone there is hearing impared, and they blast the sound system to the point of pain. My son hates it. We usally move to the absolute back of the arena top row in a corner away from the speakers. It worked the second time. Last night though, we left after the 2nd period because he just would not sit still, and insisted on kicking peoples chairs, and climbing all over everyone's nerves.

Stockton lost anyway, so we didn't miss much.

www.athomedadconvention.com

Go a few minutes late and plan on having to leave early. Gradually, you may be able to stay longer and longer as the little one gets older. Buy two of the cheapest seats and try to work your way down. Plan on being on the move a lot of the time. Walk around. Keep feeding them junk food (cotton candy, etc) or whatever special treats you sneak in. Space the junk/treats out wisely, this will buy you more time. Really get them into all the stupid songs and big screen crowd games: This is what they will love the most. Get them side tracked on some aspect of the game. Like, the goalies' masks or pretend the puck is some kind of little robot or alien zooming here and there away from all of the guys chasing it. Eagerly anticipate the Zamboni. Eagerly anticipate the pretty girls coming out on the ice (if you have them). And, once again, be ready to leave early without getting pissed off. Remember, the earlier you get there, the earlier you will probably have to leave.

It will be fun, don't worry about staying up late one night in a while (schedules are not the most important thing in the world).

A box of popcorn works wonders.

I'm Not a Slacker

Forgot to get that in.

I'm Not a Slacker

Does a wet t-shirt contest count for sports? I only took my one-year old 'cause my wife was in the finals. It was a bonding moment.

Both my little ones have enjoyed cubs games in-utero, and made their first
"games on the outside" at just a few months old. Baseball games are easy on their little eyes and ears - lot's to see and listen to, but not too overwhelming. I've also taken my 3 yr. old son to at least 10 bulls games over his few years - he absolutely loves them, especially the mascot, benny the bull. It's amazing to see how early on kids know when and how to cheer, scream, and boo, etc. along with the home crowd. They automatically react to the music and energy, and seem to have a real sense of what's happening on the field or court, (as for the ice? we've never made it to a blackhawks game).

Alby1 - Chicago, IL