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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not take part in the mother's race at sports day?

145 replies

nanbread · 02/07/2019 19:46

My 6 year old has asked if I will take part in the mums race, he's very keen that I do. I want to model giving things a go and trying my best even if I'm not the best, as it's something that he struggles with, I also want to encourage him to be more sporty and active.

The problem is I am deeply unfit, I've only run for the bus in the last 20 years, and will probably come last. I don't really want to humiliate myself in front of the entire school year...

WWYD / AIBU?

OP posts:
MonstranceClock · 02/07/2019 19:48

I think he will be more humiliated if you dont do it and all the other mums do.

gamerchick · 02/07/2019 19:50

I'm not either.

I am slightly peed off they want us to go in comp, I thought we left that all behind in primary My other 2 never did. I'm not running in front of a load of teenagers Hmm

Didntwanttochangemyname · 02/07/2019 19:50

Do you want him to learn to be gracious in defeat? Here is your chance!

mbosnz · 02/07/2019 19:50

I'm sorry, I deeply sympathise, I really do! But being the parent that will run the parents race, or will join in and run when they are at their wits end at the cross country - it really matters, it really does. The kids appreciate it, and it does really walk the walk (or run the run) when we're telling the kids what we want to see from them. (There is terribly embarrassing footage of me in entirely the wrong kind of bra, totes unfit, and doing the parents race. I at least remembered to wear a better bra the next year. . .)

gamerchick · 02/07/2019 19:50

Take another family member with you Wink

JesusInTheCabbageVan · 02/07/2019 19:51

I would. The mums at my DS's school are insanely competitive and I usually bring up the rear despite being moderately fit! One year a woman went into it obviously not expecting the madness, and finished long after the rest. She just made a big joke of it and came across as by far the most likable of the lot!

Mrsfs · 02/07/2019 19:54

I just did this, I then tripped and fell in front of everyone and busted my knee, but my daughter said she was proud of me just for trying.

coconuttelegraph · 02/07/2019 19:54

Of course you don't have to do it, unless my DCs and their schools were unusual no one cares who runs in the race and my dc certainly weren't bothered that I didn't. I never knew it was something to give any thought to

megletthesecond · 02/07/2019 19:56

Are you sure it's actually a race?
It might be a crappy 'balance the beanbag on your head' walking race like the dc's school Hmm. I refused to do it after a couple of years because everyone cheated.

CampingUnderOakTrees · 02/07/2019 19:57

Is this a thing? DCs still preschool.

Princessphoebe75 · 02/07/2019 19:58

OP, my DS sports day was recently his dad did the parents race, it was a bit of fun, nobody cared who came first or last we were all too busy laughing at the things the teachers had lined up for them !! Do I remember who won - no, who came last - no, who fell over - no. As long as its not taken seriously and it's fun- I'm sure your DC will be extremely delighted you're taking part. There's probably loads of parents thinking like you. Go, join in , have fun !!

StroppyWoman · 02/07/2019 19:59

Hell no.
Only a smattering of parents run, most of them are the super-fit types that run recreationally. The one time I did join in because one of my children asked, they later said "why did you do it when you can't run?" because I came in VERY last.

TheNavigator · 02/07/2019 19:59

I never did - and I am very fit and active but I do not ever want to participate in competitive sport. Hated it at school, hate it now, not doing it is a perk of being a grown up. My kids didn’t care - they know I wouldn’t force them to take part if they didn’t want to.

se22mother · 02/07/2019 20:00

@Mrsfs I think we must have children at the same school 😉

AppleTartlet · 02/07/2019 20:01

Mine are grown up now and I'm pleased to say I always ducked the mothers' race. I wasn't the only one. My children weren't bothered and neither was anyone else.

sacope · 02/07/2019 20:01

It's a race between the same 2 at our school. Nobody else gets a look in. Both mums have had kind son the school for about 10 years and they are so competitive over it.

I think he will be more humiliated if you dont do it and all the other mums do.

It's unlikely that all the mums in the school will take part.

herculepoirot2 · 02/07/2019 20:03

Ducking the one thing you absolutely hate and believe would mortify you isn’t the end of the world. I would probably do it and I am a bit fat, but I wouldn’t if I thought I might put a knee out or similar.

PotatoesPastaAndBread · 02/07/2019 20:04

I think you have to model what you say to your children...

"You must take part, it doesn't matter if you come last" - you take part

"If you don't want to do it you don't have to" - don't take part

Mrsfs · 02/07/2019 20:06

@se22mother maybe, if we do, then you saw how glorious I was in my two strides lol

GeorgeTheFirst · 02/07/2019 20:07

You have to do it. Just jog it, don't kill yourself.

Then do couch to 5k, you won't be unfit any more and you won't be worried about sports day next year!

nicecuppaforme · 02/07/2019 20:09

I'm dreading stuff like this when ds is older. I have arthritis in my ankle and can't run without causing myself quite a lot of pain.

Starlight456 · 02/07/2019 20:10

My Ds has gone to high school . I never did the parents race . He survived.

Tell them you will be worn out cheering him on

SpotlessMind · 02/07/2019 20:10

As someone who is chronically terrible at sports, I feel your pain. I did do the parents race a couple of times because my son was down about coming last himself and I’d been doing the whole ‘it’s only for fun’ thing. I came last/second last but it was fine, no one cares or even pays attention in my experience. The people who look daft are the ultra-competitive ones who turn up looking like they’re competing against usain bolt. One thing I would say is make sure you’re wearing a supportive bra, I learned the hard way.

mbosnz · 02/07/2019 20:11

I'm dreading stuff like this when ds is older. I have arthritis in my ankle and can't run without causing myself quite a lot of pain.

Um, you have a sick note. I'll write it myself. . .

stayathomegardener · 02/07/2019 20:12

I came last in the egg and spoon with cfs. Could barely walk at the time.

Have a lovely photo of DD running to meet me at the finish line.

I think you should do it.