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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To dread and loathe sports day and other school type activities?

125 replies

TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 08:51

I have huge problem in that I hate sports day and attending school events.

AIBU in that it's grown into a bit of a monster for me & other people must enjoy the things? I feel the same about any even that has me standing with a lot of other parents...today is sports day at DDs "new" school...she's in year three and strted last September.
I am SO nervous it's getting silly.

I don't think I have let DD see my nerves but actually I am dreading it.

She was in a tiny prep before with only 10 kids in her class...she was always ok and maybe won a couple of races but now she's in with 32 kids and may not win a thing.

I don't mind that but I get ridiculous ideas like "she'll come last in them all!"

There's no reson to think this....I just can't help it! Sad

Then this evening is Brownies and parents have to go for a bleddy quiz night! We have to take cakes in and all I can think is mine will be crap compared to all the others.

I dont want to go! I wont know any answrs and DH is all moany about going...we've not let on of course and are always cheerful about these events when talking to DD about them...but I hate them! Forced socialising!

Aibu to think that I am unusual in feeling like this?

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 08:55

I need someone to tell me I am being silly I think.

OP posts:
Dropdeadfred · 27/06/2012 08:57

Yabu - it's not about you it's about your child ( but personally they are not my fave thing either - but it's once a year for sports day!!!)

Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:00

I just can' stand it! Why don't they have "Arts Day" where we all go and look at their art and they have demo's of tem doing that! Or music day....something I LIKE! Grin

I bloody HATE competative sports.

OP posts:
GooseyLoosey · 27/06/2012 09:01

I am fervently hoping dd's is rained off tomorrow! Ds's was and how I rejoiced. You do just have to grin and bear it though.

Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:03

They teased me with a text yesterday that we might be cancelled due to a boggy field...then today I got a cheery message that "It's on!!!"

Angry Bah.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:03

That was to Goosey!

OP posts:
Petsinmypudenda · 27/06/2012 09:04

My toddler has chicken pox so sadly I will be missing ds1's sports day. Yay!!! shame, I'm devastated!

Calabria · 27/06/2012 09:06

I'm not a fan either.

It was my daughter's sports day yesterday and I watched as she came in last in every race. Sad

I also had to stand the whole time and as I have arthritis and SPD I am in agony today as a result.

At least it didn't rain! The school is the sort that would carry on regardless.

Queenofcake · 27/06/2012 09:07

I hate this type of event with a passion. DCs school being 2 1/2 hours away means we attend less events than we used to but I do force myself to make the effort and go when i/we can.

Its the speechday/sportsday all in 1 debarcle at my DCs school that I dread most out of all the events in the school calendar. Its such a long long long day and everyone else seems to be so jolly and enjoying it and seem to know each other so well. Even the overseas parents who attend less events than we do.

Its obviously my problem - but yep can so appreciate where you are coming from.

My DC are changing school in September and DH is off away on deployment so I am dreading having to face the new school events where I will have to second guess the etiquette at each individual event etc all on my own. Dreading it.

Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:08

Calabria Sad Did she cope ok with coming last? I hate these days because they DO make certain kids into automatic losers. They need to balance it out....I used to hate that when I was a kid, you'd line up for your race and hear all the other kids chantng the name of one popular kid....it's terrible to let that happen. Not sportsman like at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:09

queen that's another of my problems! Like you...I seem to be one who can't "do" jolly! And I dont chat crap easily.....they all seem to enjoy it all!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 27/06/2012 09:10

I hated them too. The thing is I only wanted to see my child running etc, not anyone elses. Blush They used to do it in year groups, and it took forever. We used to get dragged in to see all sorts. They did animations one year and we had to sit through everyones. I only wanted to see Ds2's.

Don't I sound lovely? Grin

sugarice · 27/06/2012 09:11

Does your daughter enjoy sports day? I know what you mean about school events but sometimes you just have to grin and bear it. Sports Day is hell for some and brilliant for others who excel at sport and it's their time to shine, just say to yourself once a year, once a year. Your cakes won't be rubbish compared to others either, stop putting yourself down and you'll probably know answers to the quiz questions too.

Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:11

Oh Sparkling I know! I HOPE this school has all the events on at the same time so I don''t have to watch them ALL!

A Christmas, sittig through ALL the kids doing "their bit" was torture!

OP posts:
Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:14

sugar I know, my Mum said that kids who shine at sports aren't often academic and this was their chance....not sure if that's true...DD seemed positive this morning...hard to say if she enjoys it....she's not one to get excited about much other than riding her bike and Spongebob!

She is competative about bikeriding....won't let others beat her...she's good at long jump or was in her old school...but she hasn;;t grown much this year and all the other girls look like baby giraffes next to her...she's still small! She's short and skinny and they are all legs!

OP posts:
Sparklingbrook · 27/06/2012 09:14

That makes us sound mean though doesn't it Spoken? We should be watching them all and comparing. Grin

Got one at Middle School and one at High School now. It is something of a relief. Smile

Original poster
TheSpokenNerd · 27/06/2012 09:15

The quiz is Olympic themed sugar so I will know NONE of them!

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tulipsaremyfavourite · 27/06/2012 09:17

Totally agree. It is the most boring day. Hours spent waiting around to watch my child in 1 or 2 races. I always go but get v stressed beforehand.

Sparklingbrook · 27/06/2012 09:19

The problem for me was everyone else seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. Confused

sugarice · 27/06/2012 09:20

Olympics- Jess Ennis does decathlon, Dai [someone] does 400m hurdles and is current World Champ. Dwayne Chambers is doing the 100m after overturning the BOA ban and Usain Bolt will win a gold.Mark Cavendish does the cycling as does Chris Hoy who's Scottish. Beach Volleyball is being done at Horseguards Parade I think. HTH Grin

swanthingafteranother · 27/06/2012 09:23

My children don't do very well at Sports Day. I find it emotionally draining standing there, chatting to the other parents (although that is nice too). However over the years I have evolved tactics.

First I remember my child is part of a team (they do team games for most of the first half, so children are competing in relays rather than individually) and every team is made up of different types - so my child is not the only one who trips up in sack or finds skipping difficult. I start enjoying watching other team members, and how all the children have changed over the years, and seeing the different personalities of my children's friends/classmates.

Then I see it as a dramatic scene, with different individuals doing their personal best, that makes it interesting...the children who are rubbish at schoolwork suddenly have wings on the sports field.

Then I realise that just I don't judge the other children, other parents aren't judging my child, just enjoying seeing him/her do his personal best, and rejoicing in achievement...if there is any.

My son (who I think of as v athletic) came 2nd last in 500 m, but I've come a long way (he's in yr 5) too, and have seen so many children give up on that race or not even enter it that I was proud of him for finishing. A child was in tears for being last, and I understood how hard it was for him - and just felt grateful we had moved beyond worrying about being last or first.

So just participating, and doing your best is the point of Sports Day, not winning or losing, although it is fantastic when your child DOES win or achieve.

sugarice · 27/06/2012 09:24

Or is it Heptathlon that Jess Ennis does? I may have lost you a question there, sorry Blush

PostBellumBugsy · 27/06/2012 09:24

Not a fan either - they just take up so much time. What amazes me is that schools keep on putting on a whole load of daytime activities even though nowadays in so many families both parents work. I feel so bad for my DCs that I make so few displays / shows/ events etc because they are all during the day.
I think schools should do, sports day, Christmas nativity, fun day & any other show all on one day!!!!! Wink

picnicbasketcase · 27/06/2012 09:26

I hate my DC's sports day because it's NOT competitive. They take no notice at all of who wins or loses, first second and third are not announced. You're just left with a feeling of 'WTF was the point of that'. The children don't seem to enjoy it much beyond that they're sitting outside instead of in the classroom. And I say this as the parent of a very fit and healthy but totally unsporty DS. DD hasn't had a sports day yet because she's only in nursery and they don't start until Reception. It's just so bloody dull.

swanthingafteranother · 27/06/2012 09:26

Also Sports and other school events are very emotional aren't they? I think that's why you feel overwhelmed by them...it takes something out of you to be involved, which is how it should be. But then getting involved has its rewards, if you let it.
YANBU to hate them, but I suppose it is one of those things one has to learn to surrender to, rather than resist.