Debate with my DH this morning . DH is a keen runner. He discovered his love of running two years ago after always being a big sedentary child/adult. He now runs 15k a day and loves running.
Today I gave DD a note (first time ever she is in year 9 and PE is a core GCSE subject at her school) so that she did not have to do cross country today. There was a good reason for her not to do it but DH thought I should be forceful in encouraging our daughter to take part.
I should say that we are a very active family. My DD in question dances 5 x a week for 2 hours a time.
My argument stems from my childhood. I remember having to run around a muddy school field in the freezing cold, gasping for breath (some girls were physically sick). You had the naturally sporty girls who would fly around the field and it only led to feeling more inferior and ultimately I ended up bunking off from the lesson or forging notes from my parents. I believe that this has led to a lifetime aversion to running. Every time I think I would like to try, I remember the muddy school field. In many ways I feel that being forced into it as a child, led to my general aversion to physical activity as an adult and it took me years to look at this differently and start finding activities that I loved.
So my argument is to encourage physical activity for the children but in areas that they love and not to worry if she decides that she does not enjoy running around a muddy field. (I told her to walk it if she wants) I feel by putting pressure on her could be counter-productive. I just feel health and fitness is so important and should be approached in an enjoyable way and I do not understand why the school do not make nutrition/lifestyle an important part of the lesson.
DH says that there are things in life you just have to do and we should take that view with DD. But surely this relates to paying bills etc. As an adult if she realises she does not have to do it then she will not if she has been forced through childhood. Surely it is better to educate a healthy lifestyle in it's entirety?
AIBU.
AIBU?
To feel forcing cross county on children can be counter productive in enjoying fitness
rabbit12345 · 02/11/2016 09:00
Oops, just read the whole thread.
She was sick? That does influence my opinion.
Not forcing her is ok, imo. Although I'm not 100% sure I'd do it if I was in your position... 
Kind of conflicted about this. Both my DC are rubbish at running, although reasonable (and much keener) at other sports. I have never pulled them out of cross country (which really is cross country - up and down hills and through woods), although the school matron has sometimes when they have colds (especially DS who has occasional exercise-induced asthma). I have been tempted sometimes, especially when they are finishing near the back of a large group, but I have bitten my tongue and encouraged them to try and compete with their own personal best rather than with their super-speedy peers.
DS has now moved to a senior school, where they do loads of sport, but not regular cross country. They have a whole school run once a term (I think) and those not that way inclined are apparently already dreading it - but DS shrugged his shoulders and said it was not even as long a run as the weekly cross country he used to do.
Which left me thinking that actually, even if school has left him thinking that he doesn't like running, at least it has also left him knowing that he can..... 
This reply has been deleted
Message withdrawn at poster's request.
LiviaDrusill going to the shop on cross country takes me back - in the 60s no such namby pamby nonsense as running on a school field. We ran around the local area in our "gym rompers" (don't ask) .
If it was first thing or afternoon we would stop off for sweets, if it was just before dinner time we often got a bag of chips to eat on the way back. My friend used to get a pie and then we used to have a school dinner.
Those were not the days! 
My fond memory of cross country is it used to be just before lunch and the route would take us past my friend's house. We'd run as far as there and then pop into her place for lunch, a sit down and watch the Sullivans until time for school again. I'm aware that's not helping the discussion at all .
Ours also took us past smokers alley, so all,sharing one fag and hoping someone had brought a lighter
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I hated cross country too! Used to go to my friend's and watch neighbours
OP I don't think YABU as your dd is poorly and PE is so badly taught at many schools that she probably hasn't missed out on anything by not participating!
I've read the thread now Guilty and there were a few of us skivers
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