Member Questions

My son is 13 and would never miss a game for a birthday party. It is actually unheard of. No one on his teams would miss a game for that. What we do, is I take my two younger ones to the party and my husband takes my older son to his game.

I guess if the kids are old enough it would be up to the kids, at least that would be how I handle it. I remember my games being crazy important to me and I never missed one, even if I was sick or injured. But, at the same time, I can't remember any of them clashing with a birthday party. I'm not sure which one I would have chosen but most likely I would have chosen the game. If I missed a game, i would let down the whole team. Would there be a way to schedule the birthday party during a time when there are no games? I don't know, with them having 2 kids that may be impossible but if you can it may be your only solution. But again, I would say that the parents should really make it something for the kids to decide.

hm to me, it's important to teach my kids that family functions and showing others you care by attending their functions, even if it means missing a sporting event. i think some parents subscribe to the 'but i already paid for them to play in this game' etc. the *only* thing that might be excuseable is if the game was some sort of tournament that the kid has been working hard for and would lose out on future opportunities. And then i would probably beg for a schedule change or invite everyone out to attend (and send along a crazy awesome gift, guilt is expensive haha!)

my $0.02 anyway...