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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

to want to blow off sports day?

55 replies

KatyTheCleaningLady · 24/06/2013 13:18

It's sports day, with the activities starting in 15 minutes. I'm exhausted and have a busy evening with Beavers for ds2 tonight.

I grew up in America and sports day is not something that we did. I guess I don't "get it." I have no desire to stand on aching feet watching my kids run races while trying to keep 4yo son under control. I was busy shopping and running errands all morning and I just want to sit until time for the school run!

How bad a mother am I?

OP posts:

livinginwonderland · 24/06/2013 14:41

I think missing it to lay in bed is a bit and very different from missing it through work or other commitments.

tupuedes · 24/06/2013 14:41

It was a joke, I'm guessing you are unfamiliar with the British meaning of "blow off"

Original poster

KatyTheCleaningLady · 24/06/2013 14:43

Oh! I see.

"Beavers " has another meaning in America. When I tell my folks background home" Harry just loves Beavers! " they guffaw.

OP posts:

JazzDalek · 24/06/2013 14:45

I don't enjoy them but I go to them every year. It is worth it when they look up and scan the crowd and see you, same as when they all shuffle out on stage for the Christmas concert. It's that look of mingled relief and pride and just happiness, really. I couldn't miss one without an extremely pressing and unavoidable reason.

teenagetantrums · 24/06/2013 14:45

Sports days, school plays, the hell of morning assembly meaning i had to take time off work once a term for each child, I never enjoyed any of them and worked full time so i miised quite a few. Much more sensible when they got to secondary school, parents are not expected for sports day and the concerts are in the evening and they serve wine in the interval. So if your kids dont care i would stay at home.

Original poster

KatyTheCleaningLady · 24/06/2013 14:48

livinginwonderland I'm in bed because I'm exhausted and my feet ache.

I think getting physical rest is important. It's not like I am missing sports day because I'm getting a pedicure.

This has given me an idea for another discussion to post some other time....

OP posts:

LimburgseVlaai · 24/06/2013 14:49

Sports day is fine. But maypole dancing...

I don't know if it's because I wasn't brought up with it, or because I associate it with Morris dancers, but I really do seem to have a seething hatred of maypole dancing.

And it's sooooooooooooo boooooooooring... Loathe it.

PostBellumBugsy · 24/06/2013 14:53

beavers has the same other meaning here too KTCL!

Sports days would never be the highlight of my annual calendar, but they are something that you support your child at, if you can. I've had to give sports day a miss for the past few years now, because I simply don't have enough days of holiday and that seems to be the one my DCs are least bothered about. If I could be there - I would be, simply because I know my DCs would appreciate it and like to talk about it afterwards with me. Did I see it when X's Mum fell over in the Mum's race, did I notice how Y's shorts fell off, wasn't it amazing that they won, sad that they lost even though they should've won etc.

Anyway, I'm guessing you've missed it now, as it started at 1.30pm and school finishes soon.

blissfullytired · 24/06/2013 14:55

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Cat98 · 24/06/2013 15:08

Ah I can't wait for ds's sports day! Is it because he's my pfb? Or just because he's quite sporty and enjoys it?!

Original poster

KatyTheCleaningLady · 24/06/2013 15:21

Christmas pageants are ok. I'm not physically miserable and the kids are really cute.

Turns out my mil went today! She said she knew that I wouldn't and that ds2 was keen on her being there.

OP posts:

jellybeans · 24/06/2013 15:23

I love school events and go to as many as I can. If I can't make one I make sure DH/Granny are there if possible. It means a lot to the DC.

motherinferior · 24/06/2013 15:23

I think I've been to one school sports day in my life. Can't stand them. They make me come over all peculiar and have flashbacks to my own.

Bowlersarm · 24/06/2013 15:30

I love sports days, and all the other key school events parents are encouraged to go to. Love love love them. Although would be nicer for sports events if the sun actually deigned to shine.

Original poster

KatyTheCleaningLady · 24/06/2013 15:32

The inlaws brought them home. DS 1 says only a few parents were there and that it was boring and cold.

Ds2 said, when I told him I'd stayed home to rest my feet, said, "well you were lucky. There was nowhere to sit down."

I guess I'm off the hook!

OP posts:

ithaka · 24/06/2013 15:37

I hate sports day, thankfully so does my youngest child, who has no wish for me to be there to witness her coming last.

This year I got it just right and rocked up as the event was finishing, so able to give her a smile & a hug & take her straight home.

1Veryhungrycaterpillar · 24/06/2013 15:38

It might not be your kids you have to worry about, I missed last years as I'd already taken 2 days off to watch DD ballet recital and receive her bday blessing and the next time I saw a 'toxic' school mum she approached my DD and said 'Did you enjoy sports day, I watched you'

Ragwort · 24/06/2013 15:42

I hated attending sports day - thank goodness parents aren't expected to go at Secondary School. Most tedious day of the year, as I was always on the PTA we would always be busy making & serving drinks to other parents who treated us like slaves and cleaning up their litter afterwards . I don't miss that at all .

Quangle · 24/06/2013 15:46

I don't do sports day. On the basis that I work FT and I simply cannot be at every one of the DCs school events and sports day is not that important to me or to them. I could be at sports day but not at the school play or vice versa. In the end it's a choice.

Also on the basis that my mum never ever came to sports day because it was the 70s and she worked full time and it basically just never crossed her mind to be hovering there for no reason. All good reasons - more 70s parenting I say.

ShatnersBassoon · 24/06/2013 15:46

I don't enjoy watching sports day, but the kids would be annoyed if I didn't stand there and wave at them so it's just about worth missing Cake Boss for.

1Veryhungrycaterpillar · 24/06/2013 15:49

I know I'm guilty of worrying about what the other mums will think when it's only the child that matters

1Veryhungrycaterpillar · 24/06/2013 15:50

*and if it doesn't worry them it shouldn't worry you

Summerblaze · 24/06/2013 15:50

I love going to anything that involves my DC. I like a pp, go to everything I possibly can, taking time of work etc and if I can't attend, my parents and sister love to step in to watch them.

whiteandyellowiris · 24/06/2013 15:52

I was dreading sports day, I though ffs I don't want to stand here bored for hours

but it was actually really good

xylem8 · 24/06/2013 15:59

I went yesterday to watch DC in a cross country run.DC didn't know I would be coming and when she saw me there the biggest grin on her face made the inconvenience worth while.
I always position myself on the grass at the back and put down a picnic rug.Then just sit on it reading until it's my kids race then stand up so you can see.Let your 4 yr old charge about, he'll be fine.

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