to go to Wimbldeon instead of Sports Day

[Shirleycantbe]

DH been offered Wimbledon tickets with Corporate entertaining as part of his new job. I've never been before. But I've just realised it's my DDs Sports Afternoon that day.

I have to go to Sports day dont I?

five I thought so when I was teaching too. I hardly remember any parents going.

Secondary school though.
Mind you my mother didn't work. She went to every parents evening but not to sports day. wiggle

When I taught in secondary schools it wasn't much of a 'thing'. I taught in an area that was predominantly Muslim once and the combination of the heat and fasting and dehydrated children just meant fainting kids all over the place.

At primary school it is expected parents show up. I hate it. I also hate parents evenings, Mother's Day nonsense, school plays and other such events that drag me to the school!

Bearing in mind that many working parents need to maximise their annual leave for child care I think it's a ridiculous expectation.
In the OP's position I'd be off to Wimbledon like a shot.

Are your children taking part in the sports?

If they are: you know the answer.

If not: Wimbledon if you like that sort of thing which I gather you do!

At primary school it is expected parents show up. I hate it. I also hate parents evenings, Mother's Day nonsense, school plays and other such events that drag me to the school!

I have found my people.

Wimbledon, I bloody hate school events.

Wimbledon - in a heartbeat.

And if you don't go - can I take your place? I scrub up well & won't let your DH down (or chat him up!)

Wimbledon, no question. There's always a fair possibility sports day will have to be rescheduled anyway.

Wimbledon , primary sports days are beyond awful .

I'd go to Wimbledon but I don't have children so don't have that perspective. And I ADORE tennis.

You could just give me your ticket and go to Sports Day.

When I had corporate tickets they were for the net line on centre court. It was awesome and I don't even like tennis.

Plus free champagne and cake. Which I do like. A lot.

Take that Sports Day!

Wimbledon. I didn't even have to think about that one I don't think either of my parents ever went to one of my sports days and somehow I survived the trauma of it. Many parents can't get time off work anyway so I can't see not going as a big deal. Bring them back a present each such as one of those nifty Wimbledon towels (in traditional colours, not the horrid pink ones they give the ladies) or a trinket or toy and they will be happy

Send granny, the girls can cheer each other on. Then they can try and pick you out of the crowd on centre court!!

Although I've already said I'm firmly in the Wimbledon camp, I'm surprised to see that most people view sports day as a boring non event.

The parents at our sports day treat it like a day at Lords or the races. I'm not kidding, the cars are queuing from 7am (some even park sneakily the night before) to get the best viewing spots on the fields. Deck chairs, blankets, gazebos, the occasional full on tent, tables, bbqs (included ones hooked up to portable gas), all manner of fancy food and drink (incl alcohol) come out. Whole extended families show up for a full day out. We're turfing people off school grounds at 7pm! We have amplified commentary, results and music blasting around the site all day and a huge awards ceremony at the end. It's all extremely serious!

If you can get someone to go to Sports Day instead of you to cheer on dc, I think you should definitely go to Wimbledon!

Wimbledon, go woman go!

This is the easiest AIBU ever. I'd go to Wimbledon without a second thought. The kids are plenty old enough to understand. Unless your DC are a bit self centred then I bet they would want you to go to Wimbledon and have a great day.

Also, there is the side benefit that if you don't go to sports day then it ensures your DC will win everything in a spectacular fashion Sod's law an' all that.

What kind of school is this manicinsomniac?

Wimbledon without a doubt - and I'm not even particularly a tennis fan, and I never had Grandparents or whatever who could stand in. By the time they are in Junior school they can understand the concept that sometimes dates clash.
I'm surprised you even feel the need to ask!

Also at those events you don't even have to hang around the gift shop for guilt-presents. They give you them.

At one they gave me a wicker picnic hamper set for two and blanket bound with leather straps. All with green and purple Wimbledon logos.

I gave it to MIL but regret it because she didn't grovel enough to my mind.

Children might be even less interested but we got little badges and t-shirts as well.

Wow!! This is a great response! Personally I can't bear sports day anyway but assumed it was obligatory if I wanted to avoid being a negligent parent. I can't wait to show DH this thread as when I discovered the date clash this morning he just looked really depressed about it!

manic that is exactly what sports day was like at my school. I have wonderful photos of my parents and grandparents sitting round the picnic hamper with Champagne flowing. Dsis and I hated. Sport and consequently sports day but at least our folks had a good time.

ps. LOVE sport now and would be at Wimbledon in a heart beat. I went corporate last year and it was wonderful