Wave Your Flag

All the world’s a stage with the World Cup these days (that’s soccer for those of you who just woke up to the honking and flag-waving going on recently). And for most families, it’s big news because pretty much any boy or girl that can walk has played soccer at some stage. It’s the first game they play, so it’s the first game they like. Now you understand their interest in the World Cup.

What does this mean for moms besides less time watching the kids play and more time watching real men play? It’s a lesson in geography and the various countries’ flags, of course. Here are some ways to sneak a little learning into the World Cup fun.

Since there’s an app for most things these days, it’s no surprise there’s a Name the Flag App that is free, fun and easy to play. As long as you know your flags, of course. And if you don’t, it’s a good way to get started.

If you’re not ‘App-ing It’ then you can go online and find a very simple game called Name the Flag on primarygames.com. It’s simple enough for a child to use and can still be challenging for an adult. So when Cameroon plays Denmark, you’ll know which flag to look for.

Finally, if you are a good soccer mom who knows how to drive to the pitch, hand out snacks and support the team…but you’re not really into watching and following other players ‘you don’t even know’, then you might want to visit The Soccer for Moms Blog. It’s written by a true soccer mom (former player and real fan) with the intention to assist those of us who are just cheering from the sidelines (she’s a real team player). A quick read of her blog will get you up to speed, so your kids still think you’re cool and in-the-know. She explains things like yellow flags, and even has a list of recommended resources (like who to follow on Twitter for the latest and greatest updates) and other reputable links. 

It’s amazing that the games can be held so far away and still bring so many people together. Catch the wave, or wave the flag or get on the ball…just don’t miss out on the fun because you think you don’t get it.

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