'Moms Talk' Q & A: What's the Appropriate Age to Take to a Browns Game?
Drinking, foul language keep some parents from taking kids at any age
Each week the council will answer a question on parenthood posed to them by readers or another member of council.
This week, the Mom Councils members talk about the appropriate age to watch a football game at Cleveland Browns Stadium.
When I grew up, my dad went with the guys and always said it wasn't a place for kids. I'm not sure if he just would rather be with adults than with family, but I also know they didn't have things like family sections in those days.
Then again, tickets are so expensive now that it's tough to afford to take the whole family. I went to my first game in a few years last season because I won tickets.
Let's see what the moms have to say:
Susan Jerome: I would have to say that I think the athletes are extremely overpaid and that would be one reason I wouldn't go down there. If I were to pay for a ticket and the food there, I would be showing support of their salary. There are so many people who are struggling to keep food on the table and our resources should be going to those people (same with actors/actresses).
Secondly, the drinking and foul language would keep me away from the stadium. I have taught my children to be respectful and courteous and I take them places where this behavior is exemplified. I also teach them that it is not necessary to drink to have a good time. The environment down there does not demonstrate that behavior.
Kim Zannetti: I think it is a fun family day, especially if the kids are into sports. There is no way we would sit in the dawg pound though. It is also a shame that the cost is so prohibitive to many families. I don't think that it is worthwhile when the kids are really young, they don't understand what is going on and tend to bore easily. I remember going around 10 and having a good time.
David Forman
6:56 pm on Wednesday, August 24, 2011
I like the second comment. Don't bother buying a ticket if your kid's not old enough to remember the game. It's simply not worth the money. As for the first comment, your kids are going to be exposed to foul language and discourteous behavior many times during his or her life. Shielding them from this does them no favor. Instead, be a real parent, talk to them about what's going on around them, and help them understand why they shouldn't repeat the language they're hearing. I certainly wouldn't seat my kid in the middle of the dawg pound, but I also wouldn't deny them the pleasures of supporting a local team and the sense of community that accompanies it.
Roger Vozar
9:20 am on Friday, August 26, 2011
I think part of the problem with the behavior is that it can be extreme. Even if you take the approach of using it as a teaching lesson, kids still have to be at least a certain age to truly understand and get the benefits. I do know parents who have taken young children and had a good experience, so it does happen and I do think the Browns are trying to accommodate everyone.