How to judge if too much responsibility for a 5 year old ?

[Yorkshiremummy2023]

My son is 5 goes to an out of school club, the group have been asked at short notice to attend a church service on Sunday. We attended a rehersal last night, with the plan to decide different roles in the service. My son was given the role of flag bearer (which was the main role) as none of the other parents/kids turned up from his group. I thought we would give it a go and see what it involved. But there was a lot to it, including standing for over an hour during the service, then going on a parade for half an hour. The other issue was at rehearsal last night the group leader he recognises didn't show up (even though she was the one organising us attending) so he didn't recognise most of the adults involved. They asked me to help support him last night with what he was doing. They have said the leader will be there on Sunday to support him, but it's all put me off. I think this will be too much for him to do and get fidgety and have problems I don't want to say no if I'm just being a bit anxious and he may be able to handle it on the day and be a good experience for him.

Yes thats too much for a 5 year old to take on, I wouldnt be entertaining that.

Doss he want to do it? I think it’s too much for a 5 year old but depends how he feels about it.

A 5 year old cannot stand with a flag for an hour, that's ridiculous. I would tell them you're happy for him to walk it in and do the parade, but he'll leave the flag and come back to you for the service. I would let him try the parade, ensure you or someone else is near him to assist if the flag feels heavy and if it's too much then he should know to give it to you or X person. If that isn't acceptable to organisers, then they shouldn't be trying to engage 5 yos in their parade.

Seems too much to me but you know your child!

Way too much responsibility. He's 5, no child that age wants to stand still in one place holding a flag for an hour and then walk 30 minutes still holding the flag. I would be declining and possibly consider removing him from the group because they sound very chaotic and disorganised.

I dont think he fully understands what's involved because they didn't actually cover the whole event last night just part of it. So they didnt stand for an hour, parade etc.. just the flag what not to do/do part ( I didn't realise how much would be involved with that) . Also I wouldn't have done it at all had I known the leader wasnt going to be there. They are all volunteers so get things happen though.

Are they really standing for the whole hour? Normally the flags are put to rest at the front of the church.

This is Scouts St George's Day parade?
In my experience it's not as big a deal as you might think. It's fun for the kids . In my local groups they all want to be the flag bearer (the rest have nothing to "do" so find parts of it quite boring).
He'll be fine,
And if he's not fine, what is the worst that can happen?

It's not as though the place will burst into flames if he gets tired and drops the flag. I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

Thanks all for the thoughts on it. Agree with what you've said and appreciate the suggestions of ways to adapt it. Im just glad at least they had a rehearsal so I could see what would be involved.