Poppy on kids sports kits

HelenHen · 2024-11-05T11:35:48+00:00

This seems to be a big thing now, but seems very unfair. How can a kid choose to not wear a poppy if its being handed out by their coach before a game? Not everybody chooses to wear a poppy, for whatever reason... many people do and that's totally ok... but it seems harder and harder for kids to make the choice.

billandtedsexcellentadventure · 08/11/2025 21:42

It was a choice on my child’s team. They were told they didn’t need to wear it and it was their choice. Everyone did wear it. But it was their choice.

Cromwell1905 · 08/11/2025 21:42

OriginalShutters · 08/11/2025 21:14

I’d be disturbed if my child thought that wearing a poppy magically benefitted the dead of ‘good wars’.

Show quote history

It doesn’t and I have not said that, it does however benefit those who have been wounded in war

OriginalShutters · 08/11/2025 21:14

Cromwell1905 · 08/11/2025 21:06

Why would they not want to wear one ? Perhaps from you ? I would be distressed if my child did not want to think of all the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. If you feel strongly remove your kids from the team easy.

maybe as ex services I am biased.

Show quote history

I’d be disturbed if my child thought that wearing a poppy magically benefitted the dead of ‘good wars’.

Fifteenofus · 08/11/2025 21:07

Yes you’re biased @Cromwell1905.

Cromwell1905 · 08/11/2025 21:06

HelenHen · 05/11/2024 12:17

Absolutely... but what 10 year old wants to stand out from the rest of their team? If its something the club are making a big deal of?

I don't like to be vocal about the poppy... just choose not to wear one, for many reasons. I will stand silent for the silence... I would be OK with refusing to wear a poppy where everyone else is wearing it... but it's unfair to ask a child to have to speak up like that. My children will probably end up just wearing them though they really don't want to.

Show quote history

Why would they not want to wear one ? Perhaps from you ? I would be distressed if my child did not want to think of all the people who have made the ultimate sacrifice. If you feel strongly remove your kids from the team easy.

maybe as ex services I am biased.

Askingforafriendtoday · 08/11/2025 12:16

Jc2001 · 07/11/2025 21:17

You're a year late, but well done for agreeing with someone 😁 it was worth the wait.

Edited

Show quote history

Well, it's still a live issue tbf

HappyGolmore2 · 08/11/2025 09:05

I’m just surprised some team has the money or a sponsor for a special kit TBH. Though no, of courses kids shouldn’t be made to wear them.

Jc2001 · 07/11/2025 21:17

Askingforafriendtoday · 07/11/2025 07:11

This

Show quote history

You're a year late, but well done for agreeing with someone 😁 it was worth the wait.

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/11/2025 20:53

Askingforafriendtoday · 07/11/2025 07:11

This

Show quote history

Why are you waking up year old threads? Are you seaching 'poppy' to have a good gammony froth?

Askingforafriendtoday · 07/11/2025 07:14

SometimesCalmPerson · 05/11/2024 12:13

I agree with you. Wearing poppies should be a choice. I choose not to wear them anymore because of the hypocrisy of the whole thing, so in your situation I’d want my child to have a choice too.

What hypocrisy exactly? The charity supports veterans of ongoing horrible conflicts who suffer ongoing physical and mental torment.

Askingforafriendtoday · 07/11/2025 07:11

Motomum23 · 05/11/2024 13:22

Really kids not much older than your 10 year old died for their country and you think it's bad he can't decide to opt out of wearing a poppy. Give your head a little wobble. If you want your child to stand up for THEIR beliefs then encourage them to do so - but don't expect them to stand up for YOUR beliefs

This

Mosalahiwoukd · 13/11/2024 20:52

chocolatemademefat · 13/11/2024 12:20

Have some respect - because of the people who lost their lives fighting for your freedom you’re able to spout your nonsense. And stop foisting your views onto children who may just choose to respect the sacrifices people made.

Ah, I do wish people would feck off with that bollix. The U.K has a lot to answer for in conflicts all over the world, before and after WW2 which have sod all to do with freedom.

Original poster

HelenHen · 13/11/2024 12:48

chocolatemademefat · 13/11/2024 12:20

Have some respect - because of the people who lost their lives fighting for your freedom you’re able to spout your nonsense. And stop foisting your views onto children who may just choose to respect the sacrifices people made.

Over the past couple of weeks, my child has had the poppy forced on her from all angles.

I simply gave her some alternative information... and allowed her to make her own choice... which she did!

Had she chosen to wear the poppy, once she had all the information, I made it clear to her that I would have respected her choice to do so.

Don't presume to know who died for my freedom! Why would you presume that we all share the same history?

OP posts:

RadioBamboo · 13/11/2024 12:46

HelenHen · 13/11/2024 12:15

Thanks guys. Yes it's always worrying when you teach your kids to not be a sheep and go against the societal norm if its what they want to do. It seems these days it has become less and less acceptable.

I love that she is her own person and can speak for herself... but sometimes wonder if it would make for an easier life if I just teach her to go with the flow 😳

Strange times!

I had messaged the coach in advance to ask if she could make it clear that they have a choice. She agreed!

The opposing team didn't wear a poppy. Nor did any of the other teams in our club that I can see. It's just unfortunate that it had to be hers 🙁

Well done @HelenHen and daughter, good parenting and important life lesson!

NeverDropYourMooncup · 13/11/2024 12:40

TheSmallAssassin · 13/11/2024 12:26

Stop foisting your views on other people by mandating how people should perform respect.

You aren't respecting the sacrifice people made to give us our freedom if you deny it to people.

Show quote history

They didn't give everybody their freedom, though - for many in/from other countries, British Forces were the tools of oppression, colonialism or were actually on the opposite side/occupiers/dropping incendiary bombs on them.

Maybe they did your ancestors. But not everybody is the same as you.

Not bad for something that was an entirely American Import, though. They're normally detested on MN.

BarbaraHoward · 13/11/2024 12:35

chocolatemademefat · 13/11/2024 12:20

Have some respect - because of the people who lost their lives fighting for your freedom you’re able to spout your nonsense. And stop foisting your views onto children who may just choose to respect the sacrifices people made.

It's been discussed at length on the thread, so perhaps read it. But in short, you have no idea why OP's DD doesn't want to wear a poppy (and any reason is acceptable, including "I don't want to"). And you have no idea who died for her freedom.

Fifteenofus · 13/11/2024 12:27

Have some respect yourself@chocolatemademefat.

There are a lot of very valid reasons for not choosing to wear a poppy (you can look them up) and they’re absolutely nothing to do with not respecting those who died in the WWs.

People should absolutely be free to choose.

IKEAJesus · 13/11/2024 12:26

chocolatemademefat · 13/11/2024 12:20

Have some respect - because of the people who lost their lives fighting for your freedom you’re able to spout your nonsense. And stop foisting your views onto children who may just choose to respect the sacrifices people made.

I’m sure OP would have been OK if her child chose to wear a poppy of her own volition.

Perhaps the “must wear poppies” people should stop foisting their views onto children as well?

TheSmallAssassin · 13/11/2024 12:26

chocolatemademefat · 13/11/2024 12:20

Have some respect - because of the people who lost their lives fighting for your freedom you’re able to spout your nonsense. And stop foisting your views onto children who may just choose to respect the sacrifices people made.

Stop foisting your views on other people by mandating how people should perform respect.

You aren't respecting the sacrifice people made to give us our freedom if you deny it to people.

chocolatemademefat · 13/11/2024 12:20

Have some respect - because of the people who lost their lives fighting for your freedom you’re able to spout your nonsense. And stop foisting your views onto children who may just choose to respect the sacrifices people made.

Original poster

HelenHen · 13/11/2024 12:15

Thanks guys. Yes it's always worrying when you teach your kids to not be a sheep and go against the societal norm if its what they want to do. It seems these days it has become less and less acceptable.

I love that she is her own person and can speak for herself... but sometimes wonder if it would make for an easier life if I just teach her to go with the flow 😳

Strange times!

I had messaged the coach in advance to ask if she could make it clear that they have a choice. She agreed!

The opposing team didn't wear a poppy. Nor did any of the other teams in our club that I can see. It's just unfortunate that it had to be hers 🙁

OP posts:

Marblesbackagain · 13/11/2024 11:11

Well done @HelenHen it will stand to her but completely appreciate it is challenging as a parent to see.

BarbaraHoward · 13/11/2024 10:59

HelenHen · 13/11/2024 10:56

Update:

Anyway she chose not to wear it. She was immediately harassed by her team mates calling her disrespectful. The coach told them to stop and said everyone is allowed to choose. She explained to one girl later who said 'fair enough'.

I was really proud of her though. Not even to do with the poppy, but for learning about something, choosing to do the opposite of everyone else and having strength in her conviction.

It was a very powerful lesson to teach her about peer pressure.

Reading about the annual criticism of James McClean... it just made me even prouder of her... but also worried for her team mates who are not being taught that it's OK to be different.

She sounds great, well done OP. Glad the coach intervened.

Original poster

HelenHen · 13/11/2024 10:56

Update:

Anyway she chose not to wear it. She was immediately harassed by her team mates calling her disrespectful. The coach told them to stop and said everyone is allowed to choose. She explained to one girl later who said 'fair enough'.

I was really proud of her though. Not even to do with the poppy, but for learning about something, choosing to do the opposite of everyone else and having strength in her conviction.

It was a very powerful lesson to teach her about peer pressure.

Reading about the annual criticism of James McClean... it just made me even prouder of her... but also worried for her team mates who are not being taught that it's OK to be different.

OP posts:

TrishM80 · 06/11/2024 23:14

Poppy fascism