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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be pissed off the Team GB parade through London is on a Monday?

75 replies

HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 07/09/2012 11:50

what happened to inspiring a generation?

All the kids are back at school.

My dcs would love to go and see this as i am sure lots of others would who will be at school or working.

Surely this should be on a weekend?

OP posts:
TheLazyGirlBlog · 07/09/2012 12:01

Couldn't agree more! I was baffled by the idea of it being on a week day, and would have loved to take the DCs to see it.

Thats the country we live in though!

Original poster
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 07/09/2012 12:17

I was starting to think it was just me!

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meboo · 07/09/2012 12:20

Just take the day off.

MrsDonaldDraper · 07/09/2012 12:20

It goes right past my office

BlackberryIce · 07/09/2012 12:22

Why should all of team GB hang around another week so It's on a weekend?

They aren't paid and I'm also sure they have family and lives they want to return to?

Original poster
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 07/09/2012 12:26

I thought it might be nicer for them as there would be more support.

I can go but the dcs can't and they would love to.

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BlackberryIce · 07/09/2012 12:30

Well if you can go, then go! Take lots of photos

101handbags · 07/09/2012 12:31

Hopefully many many children have already been inspired by the Olympics and Paralympics by watching it on television, attending in person, taking part in local activities, sports days, school themed days etc. I am sure many have also seen the torch relay. The entire Olympics was in the school holidays and most of the Paralympics. I fail to see why this event has to be organised to fit in with children. The Monday is simply the perfect day to choose, following on as it does immediately after the end of the Paralympics and bringing all the summer events naturally to a close. London wants to get back to normal and I am sure all the athletes want to get away and don't fancy hanging around for another week. Plus it wil be widely featured on the television.

threesocksmorgan · 07/09/2012 12:34

what handbags said

Original poster
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 07/09/2012 12:36

You're right 101 dcs have been, seen and watched on TV, they loved it all.

I just think it is going to be such a wonderful celebration its a shame they won't get to be part of it.

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manicinsomniac · 07/09/2012 12:37

Agree that it should be a weekend.

If I could go I would take the children out of school for a day. But I have to be at school too sadly. Think we should do a school trip on the train from Bucks (not really, that would be total Hell!)

Original poster
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 07/09/2012 12:41

I would love to take my dds out of school for the day, I won't of course but I wish I could.

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Hopeforever · 07/09/2012 13:03

I'm taking DD2 out of primary school, I see it as part of her education and community enrichment. Won't take DS as he is studying for GCSEs.

herecomesthsun · 07/09/2012 13:06

I m thinking

  • I'd love to take DS
  • sadly, him being 4, many of the reasons which put us off getting tickets for the games will still apply
  • I would be a bit concerned also about the security risk, even more sadly
  • it will be his 1st day at school! so very special anyway...
OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 07/09/2012 13:08

It's not just Team GB that are going to be in the parade, it's also some of the military and the games makers. They come from all over the place, and they can't be expected to hang around until next weekend, nor should they be expected to pay travel to come back for it when it's a way of thanking them and recognising them for what they have done.

If you want o take your kids to see something free and olympicy, go to the Paralympic marathon on Sunday. Like we are Grin

Original poster
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 07/09/2012 13:15

We are going to see the marathon outraged I didn't know it was games makers and military as well.

Your brave hope if I had dd out of school we'd be reported and fined!

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StripyShoes · 07/09/2012 13:46

Our school took all the kids :)

BlackberryIce · 07/09/2012 13:50

stripeyshoes ?

It hasn't happened yet Confused

TunaPastaBake · 07/09/2012 13:58

It's going to rain on Monday anyway . Sad

I was a bit pissed off when they initially announced the date but luckily have managed since to get to the Olympic Stadium - shall watch it telly instead- likely to see more Grin.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 07/09/2012 13:59

Oops, I just checked again, and I got it wrong! Blush

The games makers etc aren't going to be in the parade itself, but they are getting free tickets to sit in the ticketed areas! As are lost of other support staff and families of the athletes.

So not the same, but still a reason why it has to be done before everyone goes home.

If my two were both still at primary school and I didn't work in a school, I'd be taking the day off and taking my dc out of school for it. I sent ds2 in late because of the torch parade, and I am usually really against taking children out of school for stuff. But unlike holidays, these things really are a once in a lifetime opportunity. You can't recreate an atmosphere like that in the school holidays like you could a trip abroad.

101handbags · 07/09/2012 14:10

Further to my comment above, there is a Q & A on this website Parade which explains why the parade is on the day it is.

TheLazyGirlBlog · 07/09/2012 14:15

Our school didn't even want the FS1 and FS2 classes (which my DCs were in last year) to see the torch relay. They organised the KS1 lot going the 10 minutes up the road for it, but refused to allow the rest of us to do the same if we wanted. We were told if we allowed the kids to bunk off, we'd all be fined Shock When you consider the FS1 and FS2 classes do sod all all day it was ridiculous. Queue much annoyance from us parents, and my DDs FS2 teacher backed us all up.

The reason she backed us was that she was due to swim for Team GB in the 92 games, but was injured about 6 weeks before the start, meaning she missed out. She said she was gutted at the idea the kids would miss out on a one off event. So she moaned at the hierarchy and we got to bring our kids to see it.

We did ask about the parade but were told we had been allowed to see the torch (they missed about 20 minutes of school, tops, and it was still classed as a half day absence) but this would mean the whole day off so its big fat no from Headmistress (who frankly is a dragon).

I doubt very much the Olympians would mind waiting until the weekend- can you imagine how late the Paralympians will go to bed after the Closing Ceremony the night before, or how knackered they'll still be Monday morning? I would imagine they'll love the attention it'll bring for them, regardless of when it is held.

Original poster
HokeyCokeyPigInAPokey · 07/09/2012 14:47

That link is not working 101 could you try again please?

I think maybe your dcs got to the same school as mine lazygirl

She wouldn't even let me take dd1 out for half a day when in year 2 to meet her grandad at the airport, so she could meet him for the first time in her life!

Time off is only permitted in exceptional circumstances!

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