Scouts Parade v family life

[ParadiseCity]

My 11 yo is in scouts and tomorrow there is a St Georges parade through town. His leader told them all 'it's compulsory and you can't be excused unless you are dead or dying'. However, DS is reluctant and I just don't have the inclination to jolly him into it. I'm glad he does scouts but at that age I was a guide and remember how embarrassing the public parades were. I'm normally ultra supportive of all their activities and think that when you have committed to something you stick with it etc. But he committed to Tuesday evenings down the road not a Sunday afternoon in town. I work full time, juggle a lot of stuff (as we all do), and just for once I CANNOT BE ARSED. AIBU and should I woman up and make him go?

Thesaurus I don't like the Queen bit at all either, but until the monarchy is gone, there it is.

Don't do Scouts then.

His reluctance may be smaller that yours - have you considered that?

no Draylon. It's an important learning experience about having to pay lip service to complete nonsense in life. Especially in a country that's still essentially a feudal theocracy at heart (hence all this duty to queens and gods).

If I could like your post draylon I would

My little boy is in a parade tomorrow with cubs, and as much as I can't be added, I think he should go. It's part of being a scout..

Ewe: I don't have any particular opinion on the queen herself (she's just some rich old lady). I have a big problem with promising to do any duty to her. I owe her no duty whatsoever.

I was in Guides and the parades were my favourite bit. I always got to carry a flag, and going out and showing our uniforms and our committment gave me a real buzz. In the end I got my Queens' Guide badge and went down to meet Princess Margaret. It was one of best things I ever did.

The only thing about the parades that was hard I found, was the cold, but I think three extra thermal vests would have taken care of that if I'd had the wit to ask.

I wonder how important these other commitments will be when it comes to the weekend camp, the national camp, in fact any other activity that seems like fun?

Draylon: my parents encouraged me to 'lie' in joining scouts and brownies too (or as we see it, repeat some meaningless phrases). I'm doing perfectly well in life, thanks very much.

stepaway- I agree.

Neither of my kids have done scouts or similar. Even I know st George's day is a none negotiable. I wouldn't sign my kids up if I wasn't prepared to do this once a year

hahaha Yes. Slow today. Supervising homework efforts as I type.

"Life outcomes."

Sorry, I can't help taking the piss, my poor kids are clearly doomed.

SueTrinder
Meh, you've got a previous commitment on a Sunday, that takes priority. The DDs do Rainbows/Brownies and never do the parades/church events. The religious aspects of the organisation are problematic for us (and by that I mean DH and me) so we avoid those and make use of the positives (and I don't just mean the 'fun stuff', for me the Guiding organisation is a valuable female-only space for my daughters).

I'm a Guider and I'm not sure what religious aspects of Girlguiding you mean. Guiding I'd about all faiths and none but at the core of the promise is a commitment to 'develop my beliefs' throughout my Guiding journey and life.

Lotsof people say there's a religious element but are hard pressed to give modern day examples.

The posters who have a problem with the commitment, the clashes with other activities, the pledges and religious aspect, why do it then? It's not compulsary, but if you commit it should be wholehearted. Not a good lesson for DC to cherry pick the aspects they want to participate in and not bother with the ones that matter to the unit and community as a whole.

Kids marching in uniform, pledging allegiance, supporting ideology......

He has to. What if everyone decided they couldn't be arsed? I'm not thrilled by it either but it's not optional for dd or ds.