Travel Sports with a 2 Year Old in Tow!!

Well, I will do anything to not have to take my 2YO to things like that.
That could mean dad watches her. I just don't think dad could handle her for a weekend alone! (At least and stay sane).

Bring her. Let her climb all over the bleachers and get her energy out. Bring things for her to do and snack on. Even if you spend the game following her around, you'll still be present, which is important.

I think that those trips are good for family cohesion and I wouldn't miss them.

Your daughter is just too young for this.
You stay home with her and your husband can go with your son.
Or Dad can stay home with her and you can go with your son.

This is part of having multiple kids - you can't do everything/be everywhere for all of them at the same time.
I've seen parents drag younger siblings to older siblings taekwondo blackbelt testing (it's 9 hours long with a few breaks) and the toddlers just don't last long before pitching a fit or getting into trouble.
The kids are miserable and makes everyone around them who has to listen to the meltdowns miserable as well.
You are not there paying attention to your older child or his game when you are chasing the other one around.
Don't feel guilty, just ask that Dad take lot's of pictures (or a video) of the game so you can watch it later.

Been there, done that!
B said it well. Your two year old sounds exactly like my youngest, she never sat and played well at any of my older kids' events, she was constantly moving and it was nonstop work keeping her contained and happy.
My husband and I often took turns staying home with her.
If your son loves sports you have YEARS of these things ahead of you so don't feel guilty about missing a few now, this is a short period that will pass before you know it!

Make friends with the other parents and their kids that come along. My kids like to play with the other ones in tow, even if they are much younger. Heck, if there are older kids along, offer to pay them to babysit (at the venue). Bring a bag of favorite things to do too!

Hi, J.!

Have you ever traveled with your 2 year old before? I have a very similar age gap in my children, and I also have a VERY strong-willed 2 year old! I find that when we travel or get anywhere outside of the comforts of home, he is much better behaved. He is stimulated and his attention is fixed on the new sights, sounds, tastes, etc. So, that works to my advantage. I also notice he sleeps better!

I would go for it! And even if you have one or two bad nights, don't give up, because that doesn't mean you won't have many good ones to come.

I would suggest making sure YOU have all of the comforts you need just as much as making sure your toddler has snacks, toys, etc. The calmer and more comfortable you are, the more she will be as well.

What I loved about traveling is the bribery!! If you don't do "x" we can go do "x"!!! Works like a charm! Even if the "x" reward is just walking down the halls and to the lobby of the hotel to explore! So many options! Lol

Good luck!

ETA: You added more to your post after I answered. As it relates to your missing the game bc your toddler won't sit, well, yes, that is a given. But really who is the one "missing out" in that case? Not either of your kids -- just you. You're still there supporting your oldest and they know that, and that is what matters. Seeing parts of the game are better than none!

Bring plenty of snacks, bribery treats and toys to entertain. My 2 year old loves watching funny animal videos on my phone, especially if I allow him to hold the phone while watching! He will sit for 30 minutes plus doing that! You can find something that will work for your daughter.

I don't get this. She's 2. She should sit where you park her and have stuff to keep her busy sitting there. A bag or tub she can only play with at the game should be built. Puzzles, hand held games, coloring, portable DVD player, hand crafts, etc....keep her busy and put her between you and hubby. Rinks are noisy so it won't matter if she cries a time or two. Show her you mean business and be the mom that everyone notices because they don't let their kids run amok.

She is young enough to be strapped in a stroller too. I had a double stroller and took the kids even to Walmart in it when I did my shopping. I used the basket on the bottom for my groceries. I kept the kiddo's in it the entire time. If they were screaming and trying to get out they got a small swat on their hiney and they stopped fighting after a couple of time. They learned to be in the area I said was okay. At church kiddo with issues sits between me and hubby and we sit by the door so we can quickly exit if he starts a temper tantrum. That way we disturb a quiet solemn setting less.

You're the parent, she's the child. She needs boundaries. Look up activities to keep a child quiet/entertained/sitting down. You should find a ton more ideas.

But keeping her sitting down and confined is both your jobs, not just yours. Be sure to reward her for doing a good job after the game is over, like going to McDonald's and letting her run amok after a happy meal and ice cream.

She can do this. If there is a half time then you have a built in get up and move around time.

She goes along. I used to bring a whole bag full of toys for my youngest to the hockey rinks. I would stand at the top of the rink and let her run around on that upper level. You can still watch the game and her at the same time. You have your husband along also, he can help.

She is old enough to do what she is told. I would bring some small toys for her, snacks, drinks, and make her stay put. It's not like it should last all day, right? Maybe a couple of hours that she has to stay put? It's not life ending.

Your husband should also be able to help, unless he is a coach and then obviously not. Do something before the game to tire her out. A park maybe, or swimming at the hotel...then she won't want to run around. Make the game exciting for her - point things out and get her involved.

My boys have grown up traveling with my daughter's dance. Since they were little, they were taught then when their sister is dancing, they watch. It helps immensley that they LOVE to watch her dance, but still..it was not optional. They got their running out on breaks and otherwise, sat and behaved themselves.

Hi J.,

Go and see how it goes. If it doesn't go well, then wait a couple of more years. Regardless of missing some of the action, your son will appreciate you being there.

You know your 2 year old better than anyone.
Can you see her having a successful overnight in a hotel?
If so -- all go!
If not, let Dad take him.

Do any of the other families have sisters that would like to play with your little girl? I've seen that at many of my son's games.

You can always "abandon mission" with your daughter if you must and hubby can stay with your son.

My suggestion is to bring along another child (neighbor, friend's child) as a mother's helper to "watch" the 2-yr old with you present. This could give you the chance to see the game and let your 2-yr old be entertained and cared for but be able to go on the "family" trip. Maybe even a friend of your older son so they could play when the game's not happening.

I often take my neighbor boy (he's 10, single mom with older sisters) who enjoys tagging along, playing with the kids. I pay him a bit, nothing extraordinary, feed him, etc and it works well for all of us!

Good luck!

Go as a family. You said you would be staying overnight for two nights so one of you doesn't have to do the whole two days at the rink and can take turns running after your daughter. You are both her parents so both parents can parent while at the games. Rotate so one gets to watch the game while the other keeps up with the little one.

Another idea is you could leave the 2 year old with Dad and you go with your son this time. He can go next time.

She goes. We have all done it. Two travel games is not bad. One hockey. We did travel games every weekend from Sept. to right before Thanksgiving with four kids and a NYC police officer husband who had weekends off every three months. Have fun and just roll with it!

By 2 she should be able to sit and do a family event (such as this is) its really up to you to make sure she sits her butt down and listens at 1.5-2 my daughter sat through a full length NHL game and also a full college volley game we've been taking her to sporting events and such since she was about 1 its nothing new to her weve always traveled with her and will continue to. Your mom your in charge not your two year old

I don't go to all of my kids' sporty stuff and my husband doesn't go to all their academic stuff. I knew before I even had kids that I wasn't the 'soccer mom' type.

In your shoes I'd probably stay home and send your men off together. It is a great opportunity for them to get in some good father-son time.

If you want to go, I would go as a family. I grew up going to all sorts of sporting events. Sometimes there would be other kids for me to play with, sometimes there wouldn't be. My mom did walk around with me some, but I remember spending lots of time sitting in bleachers or playing with small toys. Since you probably have several years of bringing her along, you might want her to get used to entertaining herself at these events. Definitely try to wear her out ahead of time and give her plenty of breaks to run around. Good luck!