OT: stepdad in need of help navigating through stepkids' fandom
September 25th, 2016 at 7:27 PM ^
Take them to a UM game that will seal the deal I guarantee it
September 25th, 2016 at 7:28 PM ^
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September 25th, 2016 at 7:40 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 8:06 PM ^
That worked for my step-sons. It's always much fun to see eyes become as big as dinner plates as they try to take in the bowl for the first time. But anyway, all the pagentry inside, as well as outside the stadium, made Step-dad and Michigan big winners that day.
September 25th, 2016 at 8:34 PM ^
September 26th, 2016 at 9:18 AM ^
There are two logical options here, in my mind:
1. What the above folks said. Take them to a UM game, and the amazing people and environment will seal the deal.
2. If option 1. is somehow impossible, it could be just as good to take them to an OSU game. Once the kids get a sense for the incredibly high level of human filth that roots for that "university," they will naturally be repelled and sickened, and turn away and towards UM.
September 26th, 2016 at 10:14 AM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:30 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:30 PM ^
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September 25th, 2016 at 7:48 PM ^
JK. This is great advice.
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September 25th, 2016 at 8:02 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 9:04 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 9:40 PM ^
Agree with DLup.
Living in Wisconsin my own kids had a brief infatuation with the Packers at age 9. My wife and I ignored it, and eventually they came back to the Lions. If it can happen with the Lions-- it should be no problem for UM. Nurture over nature my friend.
Just don't buy her any enemy gear.
September 26th, 2016 at 9:45 AM ^
This advice is spot on, at lest in my experience. As the step-child in the situation, I can attest to this thought process. My step-dad didn't come into the picture until well after my Michigan fandom had formed and there was no way that would ever change. He wasn't (isn't) really a sports fan, but thought it was funny to root for MSU and OSU just to see what kind of reaction he could get out of me. Needless to say, that was the start of a lack luster and hateful relationship that now includes awkward family gatherings and complete silence when the two of us are anywhere near each other. Oh yeah, it dosen't help he's an asshole.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:32 PM ^
A very bright 9 year old is playing you.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:33 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:37 PM ^
Hand her a can of Skoal and drop her off at the bus station with enough cash to get out of town :-)
September 25th, 2016 at 8:48 PM ^
And if you're really feeling fancy, you could give her a backpack cooler. Guaranteed acceptance anywhere in Ohio.
September 26th, 2016 at 10:11 AM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:37 PM ^
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September 25th, 2016 at 7:40 PM ^
Ask her if she thinks it's right to cheat? Then have her watch this real hidden footage.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:52 PM ^
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September 25th, 2016 at 7:41 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:42 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 8:09 PM ^
Most of the country thinks Michigan has never been good? I think you may need a larger statistical sample.
September 25th, 2016 at 8:13 PM ^
Or maybe most of the country thinks that he met his UGA-fan wife in 2010.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:42 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:45 PM ^
Stepfather of 14 years here. My stepson and stepdaughter were young when their mom and I got married and really didn't have any serious fandom. I took them to a game each season and bought them something M-related (cap, t-shirt, etc.). Went to basketball games, volleyball games, you name it. Watched games on the tv and invited them to join me for as long as they wanted. Didn't get too emotional for the losses (RichRod and Hoke years), and cheered when we won.
Fast forward to today, my stepson is a sophomore at Clemson and is a little torn at the prospect of a Clemson-UM final game. He LOVES Michigan now and texts/facetimes me every Saturday. My stepdaughter still cheers with me, wears Michigan gear, etc. My daughter is at MSU and still loves UM. For all of them, I just made it as fun as I could.
In general, you can't push stepkids into ANYTHING. It always backfires, in my (and several friends') experience. Just do everything you can to make it fun, and as they warm up to you, they'll warm up to Michigan.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:45 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:46 PM ^
Go with a maize and blue motif.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:47 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:52 PM ^
who, despite not pledging a like for any schools, appeared to me to be an MSU lean. One game in the Big House, forever Blue.
September 25th, 2016 at 8:20 PM ^
It is surprising the number of people that have A) never been to Michigan Stadium despite, in the case of my neighbors, living 20 minutes from it, and B) have never really thought deeply about their fandom. Of course, coming from a house that bled maize and blue with a smattering of Indiana (my father), we were all highly engaged and heavily into it.
I gave some tickets to a neighbor one time - someone who "grew up a Kentucky fan" (so he says, but I am downriver and it is entirely possible in this neck of the woods) - and he came back unable to stop talking Michigan. That's fine, because I couldn't either when he came back.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:49 PM ^
Divorce. Get new stepkids.
/s
September 25th, 2016 at 8:14 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 8:22 PM ^
So it's not too late to bolt!
September 25th, 2016 at 9:13 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 10:28 PM ^
What color is yellow? Never heard of it.
September 25th, 2016 at 11:47 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 8:38 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 9:20 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:50 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:50 PM ^
she's a girl so it's not like we're missing out on a future recruit. If you're the typical UM fan, she knows how to get under Step Daddy's skin. Just keep control of the remote and you'll be fine.
September 25th, 2016 at 7:55 PM ^
September 26th, 2016 at 10:09 AM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 7:56 PM ^
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September 25th, 2016 at 7:57 PM ^
Be honest. Tell her both are fine schools and have their respective strenghts and weaknesses. Discuss culture, academics, global reputation, history. Discuss how well the other sport's programs do at UM (including the stronger women's athletics). Highlight how UM is a national/global university whereas most at OSU come from Ohio.
And after she has a chance to thoughtfully digest the information, show the clip of Hayes punching the Clemson player.
September 25th, 2016 at 8:02 PM ^
September 25th, 2016 at 8:05 PM ^
Marry me.
September 25th, 2016 at 8:22 PM ^
"Fine" is what you say when you don't want to actually say anything bad. Obviously, one school is much better than the other, but you have to let the young woman figure that out on her own. Show her that Michigan Men/Women are thoughtful and open-minded and let her form her own opinions. Trying to force UM fandom upon her will probably just cause more damage.