anyone take their kids?

kigelia

I am just wondering if any of you good folks take you kids to the Valley, I am probably taking my son (5 years old) to the game next week as we have a spare ticket and have no idea what to expect from him. Any advice or experiences would be gratefully received.

StanmoreAddick

It's ok- depends on their concentration level- I took my 6 year old daughter and she was fine- Take some sweets- They'll probably be more entertained by watching Dad and taking in the atmosphere than the footy though.

Enjoy- recruit them whilst their young i say

Salad

Took my daughters a few times - buy some sweets that take time to get through eg. Chewits, Opal Fruits. They were interested in the "event" and crowds more than the football though. Before the game & half-time, they preferred to be in their seats than standing around in the foyer which is probably quite daunting.

If we won I gave them extra pocket money and told them they were lucky mascots. Mostly we lost though. They have not been interested for a couple of years now though. Can't blame them!

Make sure they don't get cold/wet etc.

LenGlover

My daughters have all enjoyed it from about the age of 7 or so. The older two lost a bit of interest once they hit their teens but the youngest enjoys it and is now talking about wanting to go to more away games as she enjoyed our trip to Middlesborough despite the result!

LargeAddick

I'm taking my wifes cousin's lad to the Arsenal game. It'll be his first. He's 8 and pretty excited already about it. His Dad is 'Wall but they live in Harlow where everyone supports Spudz or Arsenal and so he refuses point blank all efforts to get him down The Den. Sensible kid.

Salad

Buy him a Charlton shirt with "Bent" on the back.
His dad should be well chuffed.

pickwick

My 5 year old has been a few times (from age of 3 at reserve games) and mostly spends his time watching the crowd I think he enjoys the swearing as well. The very best way is if they are with a friend who is 7/8 cause they can chat, etc.

Took him to the world cup in the summer, and all he is really telling people about it is he got to stay til 1.00 in the morning!

Even though he could sit and watch a film for 90 minutes he can't do it with a football match, all the above suggestions are good, don't expect to be undisturbed...

paulbaconsarnie

me and my other 'alf take a friends son to the matches(mother is a geordie and father has work commitments).
definately take sweets and also feed and water the kids before the game. i've found that if you don't they are alright between 3.00 and 3.45, but at 3.45 and 1 second they need the toilet then after queueing for that, at 3.55 they want a burger/hot dog/drink so you queue up for that, send them back to their seats, miss the start of second half, bring back an alternative foodstuff/drink as the outlet in north upper have sold out, watch them leave three quarters of the food/drink.
then at 4.50, lo and behold it's 3.45 and 1 second again.
seriously, he loves charlton, and the matchday experience. he was inconsolable when curbs went, real tears and all that. he's had a di canio shirt (then he left), a parker shirt (he left) and now a d.bent shirt (oh bollocks).

StanmoreAddick

Sounds like your mathday experience is an expensive one!!!!!

paulbaconsarnie

can be, but it's worth it just for stopping him becoming a barcode.

T_C_E

ignore

T_C_E

all I need to do now is learn how to post correctly, sorry folks. : (

T_C_E

ignore

pickwick

Since this post my son now nearly 6 came to a couple of league games over Christmas and was very well behaved though I made sure I had a packet of crisps for the first half and a Kit Kat for the second. He is also coming to the Newcastle game though does not know it yet. Letting him come to the Oak before the game did wonders for his behaviour he already loves going to the pub!