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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:
Nofunkingworriesmate · 03/07/2019 19:14

It was fine for fun at our school , I’m 30 weeks pregnant so came ( last-ish I think??) someone has to be last
Model having a go and coming last with grace

Boredisboring · 03/07/2019 19:24

What would you say to your son if the situation was reversed. Would you say "go on, give it a shot, have fun" or would you say "nah, don't bother. You're too unfit and will embarrass yourself"?

Believe me, he is watching, listening and learning from you.

porkpiie · 03/07/2019 19:46

Say you'll go and pretend to train and say you pulled a muscle the day before

SingingSands · 03/07/2019 20:43

I do it. People always shriek and go "oh no! But you're a runner!".

Yes, I run for a club. V e r y. S l o w l y. I'm no Usain Bolt!

So my kids get to see me run, and my friends get to beat me and I keep everybody happy GrinGrin

Myimaginarycathasfleas · 03/07/2019 21:18

I wouldn't be too swayed by posters who enjoy a bit of competition. They want everyone to take park so they have someone to beat. We're all different, there's no shame in being competitive, and no shame in not being.

If you think you might enjoy it, give it a go, but if in your heart of hearts you really don't want to, don't. Forget all the guff about what you will be modelling to your DS. All you will be modelling is your own misery.

Xmasbaby11 · 03/07/2019 21:24

No i wouldn't do it and I wouldn't encourage my dc to take part in something they wouldn't enjoy and were bad at. Competitive sport can put kids off exercise.

There are other sports I do with my dc. It's not all about running races.

Starlight456 · 03/07/2019 22:02

I am not sure since when because our kids want us to do something / not do something we have to listen ?

I am an adult so I decide.

I do lots of things I don’t enjoy . I clean , shop, iron , many more things .

I have years of half watching awful films tv because my son enjoys it but doesn’t mean he decides what I do

ICouldntHelpButWonder · 03/07/2019 22:02

Yeah I wouldn't. I've already endured many sports days as a child - the benefit of being an adult is being able to say 'nope!'. Let the sporty types have at it. My own mum has always set me a good example but never partook of the parents race! It was not a big deal!

Femaleassassin · 03/07/2019 22:08

Bored is boring - absolutely. Op, set your son a good example about fitness and taking on challenges in life

Ihatehashtags · 04/07/2019 06:32

How ridiculous to have this race!

Huntlybyelection · 04/07/2019 17:16

How on earth is taking part in one race going to show the OPs child a good example of healthy life?

You don't need to do it. If you don't want to do it don't do it.

If you want to show a good example of healthy life then go out for a run every week.

TheInebriati · 04/07/2019 17:24

How has a fun race become so competitive that a child is worried in case his mother doesn't enter?

mandi73 · 04/07/2019 17:30

I've been going to the kids sports days for 20yrs (bloody hell) with roughly another 7yrs to go and have never done the Mother's race, and never will.
They've all survived

JennaOfEluria · 04/07/2019 17:39

I don't take part in the mother's race at sports day. Instead I let my daughter's choose a fun run each year for us to take part in together.

I'm not remotely sporty but that actually feels like something to do with the girls rather than something to endure because of them...especially because I'm always in my work clothes for sports day.

They'd be more shocked if I did take part!

gothicsprout · 04/07/2019 21:12

Don’t do it if you’re in unsuitable footwear.

See for illustration: my mum. Ran it in sandals. Broke both collarbones Confused

ragged · 04/07/2019 22:35

The regular winner (last 7 yrs) at our sports day always does it barefoot (having kicked off her shiny flipflops). She had to work very hard for the win this year, though. 17yo Big sister of one of the lads ran this time and came a very close 2nd. Regular winner's days may be numbered. Grin

TheTurnOfTheScrew · 04/07/2019 22:44

I jog at the back with the odd Nanna to avoid injury. The field is quite uneven, and every year there's at least one person who goes arse over tit trying to win.

My kids like me to run even though I'm last every year - it's become something of a family tradition.

StCharlotte · 04/07/2019 23:09

It was a 3k race.

You what??

Stuckforthefourthtime · 04/07/2019 23:13

What would you say to your son if the situation was reversed. Would you say "go on, give it a shot, have fun" or would you say "nah, don't bother. You're too unfit and will embarrass yourself"?

This. I'm crap and still did the mothers' race this year, it was a laugh and even though another mother and I were miles behind the gazelles up front, our sons cheered madly, and I think it does help to show how to handle a loss and how have fun when you lose.

lljkk · 06/07/2019 11:25

You never know . Just imagine if no competition had lined up for this one. :)

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