POV DAD is designed to give Dad's a chance to give a perspective on things.   These are not perfect articles or the right responses, but they are interesting.   Enjoy

Kicked Around 

I'm proud of how diverse my son's soccer team is.  There are kids from many backgrounds and the energy on the field is exciting.   I've found it hard however to make friends with the other parents because they all speak in clusters and also usually speak another language (which I obviously have no clue how to speak).   It left me feeling out of place for a while, until I decided to teach the language of soccer by becoming an assistant coach (or maybe it was Assisitant to the assisstant coach) and managed to get a little respect as a result.

Things seemed to be turning around until I realized that I might be the subject of those inner circle conversations (coaches problems)  which left me a little uncomfortable as well.

So I ask, should I care?  should I stop?  how should I deal with this?

Responses aggregated from the DadSpottingCrew  

@dadspottingcrew - Twitter 

Bill Wakefield

You can never get into a circle of adults by acting like a child.  Put your big boy pants on and speak to whomever you want to gain their trust.   Soccer is the universal language and if the parent has already shown they are interested in being there, you have something on common.

Jamie Dunston 

I'm in a Dad/Dad relationship and only the Mom's talk to us and the field.  That might be a separate problem, but I can identify with feeling left out of the conversations by other Dads.

Gibby Fan

It's bad enough that the kids are hard to keep motivated, why are you so concerned with fitting in?   Do what most parents do now, sit in a corner, troll your past friends on Facebook and be happy that know one is bugging you.

Dr. J

Hate to be the party crasher here men, but don't forget that in every sport at a younger age your kid picks up on your mood with reference to that sport, so just be careful how much you make this about you :)