As the Blue Jays enthusiast Suzanne Jangda and her two children arrived at school on Thursday morning, they found an empty yard and the students already inside, indicating they were running late. The morning had been chaotic for them as they had stayed up later than usual to watch the Blue Jays triumph over the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
Expressing her passion for the Blue Jays, Jangda mentioned her mission of turning her kids into fans as well, planning for another late night on Thursday for the game and a more manageable evening as the series continued. Despite the lengthy Wednesday game, she had allowed her boys to watch until the fifth inning, an hour past their usual bedtime, to witness George Springer’s home run.
Following a tiring Tuesday due to staying up late on Monday for the second game of the series, Jangda emphasized the rarity of such events and advised embracing them when they occur. By early evening on Thursday, she realized that her kids needed to catch up on rest, leading her to make plans to watch the game with friends at a bar while ensuring her children stuck to their usual bedtime routine at home.
Like many parents with school-aged children who are baseball fans, Jangda found herself considering the balance between supporting the Blue Jays as a family and the consequences of tired days. Lisa Fujimoto, also a fervent Blue Jays supporter and a mother of two, acknowledged similar challenges with her children pushing their bedtimes to catch the playoff games.
Fujimoto revealed that the excitement of the games might be aiding her boys during the day, despite potential sleep deficits, as they compensate with early bedtimes on non-game days. Implementing rules such as completing homework first and turning off lights after the game ends, she emphasized the importance of being prepared during breaks in the game to get ready for bed and the next day.
While observing the impact of MLB playoff excitement on her students, Fujimoto suggested that parents should gauge their children’s ability to handle a disrupted schedule based on individual cues. Elisha Muskat, another parent, shared her experience with her nine-year-old son’s obsession with the series, managing his bedtime around the game updates and ensuring he stayed engaged with the game through MLB.com.
As the parents navigate the late-night games and tired mornings, they aim to create lasting memories for their children, reminiscent of their own experiences watching the Blue Jays in pivotal moments. Jangda, recalling her childhood memories of the Jays winning the World Series, expressed her desire for her son to witness such historic events and emphasized the significance of these shared experiences.
Overall, the dedication of these parents to balancing their children’s fandom with their well-being reflects the unique challenges and rewards of being Blue Jays supporters during the playoff season.
