Boy #1 had a flag football game on Saturday. The wind blew like hell, making sure we all knew Summer wasn’t coming any time soon. Mid-way through the first half he took a hand-off and went blazing down the sidelines, cut to the middle and laid a spin move that was picture perfect. Everyone let out a collective gasp and he flew towards the end zone before getting tackled (because they couldn’t get his flag) on the five yard line. As our side was clapping and I was screaming out his name I saw the one thing no one wants to see when your football team just had a game changing play.
That damn little, yellow flag.
My chin hit my chest as the ref called my son for spinning. He was crushed. He had worked on his spin move the previous year when it was allowed, but due to a rule change this year it’s illegal. I just happened to be standing next to the director of the program and had to say something.
“When I coached last year spinning was legal. Why the rule change?” I asked, trying to be curious and not bitter that my son’s kick-ass, soul crushing scamper was called back.
“We had a mom call and complain about it. Her kid got hurt so we had to change it,” he explained without any conviction.
“So one person complained and the whole league has to suffer? Did you explain to her that it’s football and kids get hurt?”
“Yep, didn’t have a choice. A huge part of my job is dealing with irate, irrational parents.”
So they had to take out a move used by football players across the country because one mom couldn’t come to grips with the fact that her son was hurt performing one move.
Please, I beg of you: DON’T BE THAT PARENT!
We all know the one. The one who had snack time taken out of your kid’s class because her kid always felt like he didn’t have the best snack. Or the one who demands participation trophies for 10-year-olds so they all feel special. It’s also the one who says her/his kid could have NEVER given little Marv the wedgie of his life because he’s not capable of acting like that. Right. Then why was he trying to flush the cat the last time he invaded my house?
This parent is the terrorist of our parenting society. They can’t come to grips with the fact that their kid will have to deal with some lumps and hurt feelings as they grow up. Newsflash: we all did! It’s part of being a kid and learning to survive.
To you parent-terrorists: we can’t sterilize, change rules, or sugarcoat every friggin’ thing that comes along. If that’s the way you have to be in your house, well, then that’s your business. Just don’t bring the sane families down with you.
—Photo brittanitaylor/Flickr
It’s a shame more cities don’t offer flag football….it’s great exercise for the kids and adults!