What kids really think of their sports-crazy parents

NOT much gets past kids.

NOT much gets past kids.

Their brutal honesty delivers the hard-hitting questions, such as “how come you drink so much wine?” which leads to the revaluation of our lives as adults. Adding to that, they acquire ninja listening skills balanced perfectly with selective hearing, always managing to hear things they shouldn't and repeating them to every man, woman and child they come in contact with.

For many of us, watching sport results in a total shut off to the outside world as we enter “game mode”. And while you might be busy intensely shouting at the screen, your kids, well they’re taking mental notes of everything you’re saying or doing for future reference.

Isaac, aged 9

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

Dad can get a bit lippy at times, while mum always disagrees with the refs.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

They scream and always tell players they’re offside!

What about at the stadium?

My heart beats, praying for my team to score. I cry every time my team loses. I beat my chest with my hands so I don’t stress.

Joshua, aged 10

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

Dad gets excited and he’s very enthusiastic while watching the footy.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

Dad jumps up and gets really excited with me and we yell.

What about at the stadium?

It’s a great experience and we all get really hyped up and some games it does down to the wire and we get super excited.

Erica, aged 9

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

My mum is ok because she doesn’t care who wins but my dad gets angry if his team is losing.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

Before the game, my dad is nervous and he holds his favourite football for good luck.

What about at the stadium?

My dad acts the same watching it live, but doesn’t hold the football and doesn’t scream too much.

Sebastian, aged 10

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

It all depends whether Collingwood are winning or not. If they are winning he seems very happy. If they are losing he can be quite upset and if it's a close game, he can be very loud and crazy.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

He talks and yells at the TV sometimes. If it’s close he paces around the lounge, yelling out his opinion.

What about at the stadium?

He gets very excited when they kick a goal. He doesn't yell out as much as when he is watching the game at home though. He gets a little crazy when it’s a close game. He always goes and gets me food. He sings the song with me when we win. He doesn’t talk much on the way home when we lose.

Phoenix, aged 9

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

Daddy gets a little too excited and mummy doesn’t really care that much.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

Daddy screams at all the players - he shouts and cheers and gets really happy when our team scores.

What about at the stadium?

I scream, I shout and I have fun.

Brooklyn, aged 8

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

My dad is crazy. He yells a lot at the TV.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

He screams and yells - mum doesn’t watch the games.

What about at the stadium?

He puts his hand in the air screaming YAY!

Brianna, aged 10

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

Dad embarrasses me with his yelling.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

Mum says “good job” while dad is yelling go, go, go, go.

What about at the stadium?

When his favourite team (the Parramatta Eels) scores, he yells very loudly.

Noah, aged 9

What do you think of your parents’ behaviour during a game?

When dad watches sport he is like a crazy man. He yells and throws his arms in the air all the time.

What does mum or dad do when the footy’s on TV?

During a game, dad yells and bites his nails too. Mum just rolls her eyes and walks out of the room.

What about at the stadium?

When I watch the footy I cheer for the team I have tipped that week, even if it’s not Manly and I even cheer for my friend’s teams. I stand up and yell at the TV!!

Originally published as What kids really think of their sports-crazy parents