One of a Dad’s simple pleasures is watching TV sports together with his kids and/or stepkids. But what about those moments (like during some commercials) when you want to cover your child’s eyes with your hands?
Here are a few simple tips from The Dad Man to help fathers and stepfathers get more out of watching February 1’s Super Bowl XLIII (and other TV sportscasts) with their daughters and sons.
1. Spend part of Sunday afternoon tossing the ball around with your kids. Dads who are physically active with their daughters and sons increase the odds that they’ll grow up healthy and strong.
2. If she doesn’t like to play catch, take a walk or bike ride together. Let your child know that you enjoy being with her. The time together may give her an opportunity to share what is going on in her life. Kids may see our enthusiasm for sports and think we’re more interested in our favorite team than in them. Making time for them on Super Bowl Sunday (and every other day) can counter that perception.
3. Try to watch the broadcast through your child’s eyes. Would any images, commercials, or events look or feel different if it was your kid on the screen? What does he think about all the hype about commercials during the game? Share your perceptions with him and ask him what he thinks.
4. When watching the game, be aware that the things your child or stepchild sees may be entirely different from what you see. For example, instead of enjoying the game, is your daughter feeling inadequate while comparing her body to the “perfect” cheerleaders? What misconceptions might the commercials give your son about what it means to be a “real” man?
5. Use the remote! If you see disrespectful or objectifying ads and images, change the channel so you, your kids, and your family don’t have those images in your home. Let your kids know why you decided to flip and ask for their feedback.
6. Compare the number of female sports announcers (many fewer) and their roles (usually on the sidelines) to the number and role of the male announcers. Tell your kids what you think about those numbers. Do they mean that your daughter can’t be as big a fan as you or your son? Do you want your children or stepchildren to have their career aspirations curtailed by their gender?
7. Ask your kids which players and coaches they admire or see as heroes. Tell them which ones you admire, and then share your reasons with each other.
8. After the game, debate your opinions on the crucial plays and most exciting moments. Then invite your children or stepchildren to do something special together next Sunday to keep these conversations rolling and to convince them that the most important man in their lives takes them seriously—and enjoys being with them!
9. Use the Super Bowl to become more media-literate and sensitive to your children’s experience. Pay more attention to how media portray boys, girls, women and men. When you see an advertisement or program, ask “What if it was my child in that picture?”, and then reassess your reaction to it.
Get more fathering resources at http://www.thedadman.com/.
© Joe Kelly; All Rights Reserved
Fun article. I will keep some of these in mind when watching "the big game" this Sunday.
If one cared about children I don't think they would be watching the Super Bowl or having the children watch it. Then again I certainly wouldn't shield them from it or reality either otherwise they will not learn. Football like most sports is an "Ego" gig. Then we have psychologically defective people that link their identity to a sports team. A sports team that is not made of players from the respective city. It's all about a "few" owners with money that purchase players they have nothing to do with the city except the name and a home field. It is an illusion, and any parent that is not helping their children see through the illusion is contributing to the passive violence.
There are a lot more important things for people to be putting their attention on in our current situation.
There are other contrasting perspectives but I think this is a valid one. There is the "Team Spirit" being in the moment, going with the flow, keeping you ego in check, so it does not interfere with your performance and working as one. I don't see much attention placed on this aspect and if they did sports would have an entirely different aura, not the dark one around them now.