Some of my parents don't stop at my U8,s training sessions a few do but most leave the kids and pick them up an hour later.

I would always stay with my boy before I became the coach 

What happens elsewhere?

Rocklands U8's (Norfolk)

I think the best player should get the reward whoever he is,if it is your son then give it to him and be proud, if any parents disagree with the decision then they need to give a reason why!
Normally it would be a parent who would not dream of helping at traning or at a match but likes to hav a good moan about anything

In a game it is to easy to take my son of just becase that is the easy decision, I made that mistake a few times when I started as an u8's manager, I now play the strongest team and give other players a try if i get a chance

Am I right or wrong?

As a coach I would try and find out as unobtrusivley as possible why parents dont stick around - it helps you get a picture of the kind of attitude the parents have to their child playing football and that helps you get to know yor player better.

Cheers  

MartinHutch

as for absent parents where else will they get a child minder as cheap as a voluntary footie coach????

By the way, getting a willing mum or dad to organise tea, coffee and bacon butties can be a good moneyspinner for new kit etc. My club usually has three simultaneous sessions on a sat morning - great captive audience and we made lots of money over the season.

Dwyer

I have been coaching for quite some time now and at various competitive levels, and the one thing that drove me crazy when I first started, was this exact topic.

Last year, I inherited this competitive team because the original coach took on a director position in another country and essentially I was nominated to take over the team.

At my very first meeting with the parents, I was quite animated about this topic and explained to the parents that under no circumstances will they be allowed to drop off their child and leave without assigning another parent the responsibility of the child.

We are not babysitters and I don't know about other countries but we as coaches can be held legally liable for the well being of the children we coach in Canada.

I essentially told them that this rule was not negotiable and that if they had a problem with this I would give them their childs player card back and help them out with the transfer.

My 2 cents, more like a dollar.

Matteo
1997 Competitive Girls Aurora, Canada

When my son played football, I always stayed for the training session even if it was a rainy day (in which case I would retreat to the car and watch from a warm and dry distance).

I have another pet hate with parents and that is when they don't send their children appropriately dressed for the weather.  Since when has wintry conditions meant that shorts and t-shirt are going to keep them warm all session, especially when the rain starts!!!!

We are free baby sitting on a saturday morning - one of the moms said when i said i had to finish a bit earlier the one week " oh right i'll have to be quicker round sainsburys than normal then , if I dont get here on time you can just leave him on the car park , he'll be ok" - and she was late but I never leave the kids on their own - too risky nowadays.