When Suzanne Jangda and her two children arrived at school on Thursday morning, the playground was deserted, and classes had already begun, making them late. The previous night had been a challenge for the family as they stayed up past their usual bedtime to watch the Blue Jays defeat the Seattle Mariners in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
As a dedicated Blue Jays fan, Jangda aims to instill the same passion in her kids. Despite the late nights, she planned to continue watching the games with her children. Following a late game on Wednesday that ran nearly three hours, Jangda allowed her sons to watch until the fifth inning, well past their regular bedtime.
Recognizing the toll the late nights were taking on her kids, Jangda decided they needed to catch up on rest. She opted to watch the next game at a bar with friends while ensuring her children went to bed at their usual time of 8 p.m.
Like many parents balancing sports fandom with family life, Jangda and Lisa Fujimoto, a Toronto elementary school teacher and mother of two, adjusted their routines to accommodate the playoff games. Fujimoto, also a passionate Blue Jays supporter, found that the excitement of the games kept her boys energized, although she enforced rules such as completing homework before watching and going to bed immediately after the game ended.
While the MLB playoffs have infiltrated classroom discussions, parents like Elisha Muskat have had to navigate their children’s enthusiasm for the games alongside school schedules. Muskat’s son, a devoted fan, eagerly awaited score updates but had to adhere to his regular bedtime, even during crucial games.
Despite the challenges of late nights and tired mornings, parents like Jangda are determined to create lasting memories for their children, reminiscent of their own experiences as young fans. Jangda planned to allow her son to watch the upcoming game, aiming to share the excitement of the Blue Jays’ journey with him, just as she had experienced during the team’s World Series victory in 1992.
As families across Toronto juggle bedtime routines with baseball fever, the balance between supporting the Blue Jays and ensuring children get enough rest remains a key consideration for many parents.
