Dear Prudence is Slate’s advice column. Submit questions here .

Dear Prudence,

My wife and I have a 6-year-old daughter, “Emilia,” who plays soccer. The problem is that my wife will frequently become loud and belligerent when she thinks the referee made the wrong call, which is often. Once, she even tried to get in his face, which resulted in her nearly getting ejected from the game, and our daughter’s team almost being made to forfeit.

Emilia has become so upset by her mother’s behavior that she says she doesn’t want to play soccer anymore. I’ve tried talking to my wife about how this is affecting not only our child, but all those who are playing and everyone around us. She responds that someone has to do it, and says the referee “has it in” for Emilia. What can I do to help

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