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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To let DS skip PE tomorrow?

14 replies

solitudehiker · 25/09/2025 21:01

new here so go easy on me 🙈

DS3 (4, just started reception) has sobbed before bed tonight saying he “hates PE” and doesn’t want to go tomorrow. Apparently teacher shouts a lot and he “doesn’t want to run fast”.

He’s been really tired this week with the whole full-time school thing and he’s only little. Part of me just wants to keep him home and have a calm day together but DH thinks I’m being ridiculous and says “it’s just PE, make him go”.

WIBU to just let him stay off for the day? Or is that giving him the message he can dodge school whenever he fancies?

I feel awful seeing him so upset but also don’t want to make things worse in the long run 😩

(Also pls tell me it’s not just us that’s totally exhausted with the whole reception thing already??)

OP posts:
BlueWorkDay · 25/09/2025 21:05

The "right" thing to do is to encourage resilience, making the most of things, good sportsmanship, all that stuff.

But, when they're so little... I gave DD a lot of leeway at that age, she's nearly 9 now, and shows no sign of having been spoiled or cossetted.

NoKnickerElastic · 25/09/2025 21:05

I think it sets a v difficult precedent so early in his school career to let him know he doesn't have to go if he doesn't want to. If it were me I'd have a quiet word with the teacher about how tired he's feeling & encourage him to do what he can.

ArseInTheCoOpWindow · 25/09/2025 21:10

I’d see how is in the morning.

He’s so little. When is he 5?

Ablondiebutagoody · 25/09/2025 21:11

I think that keeping him off in only his 3rd week because he doesn't fancy it is a slippery slope.

He'll be fine. Reception PE isn't like bootcamp.

Jellybunny56 · 25/09/2025 21:12

Ablondiebutagoody · 25/09/2025 21:11

I think that keeping him off in only his 3rd week because he doesn't fancy it is a slippery slope.

He'll be fine. Reception PE isn't like bootcamp.

This.

It’s very early to be sending the message that you’re allowed to not do something just because you don’t want to, not the way I’d want to start off 10+ years of school.

Pinkladyapplepie · 25/09/2025 21:15

The schools are so hot on attendance atm, our nearest one has been know to home visit, ridiculously, if asked by a teacher why he has been off would he say" because I didn't want to do PE." ? Kids drop you in it as your probably aware!

OneAquaGoose · 25/09/2025 21:18

You do this once and you will make a huge rod for your own and your DSs back. PE is on the curriculum and he will have to do some form of it for the next 10+ years. All children have a subject they don’t like (mine was definitely PE). They just have to grin and bear it.

NCTDN · 25/09/2025 21:19

Send him in but tell the teacher how concerned.

KateKontent · 25/09/2025 21:21

I'd send him in, tell him to try his best and then write a gate slip to mention he's a bit worried about pe. They expect these sorts of wobbles from reception aged kids in September and as a pp said, it isn't like bootcamp at that age. It won't be how you maybe remember secondary PE with all the laps in the pouring rain (yes, I am projecting here 😂).

Original poster
solitudehiker · 25/09/2025 21:24

Thanks all, this is really helpful. I think I just panicked a bit seeing him so upset, he’s normally my loudest most confident DC 🙈

He’s not 5 until April so still such a baby to me. I guess I just hate the thought of him dreading it every week. I’ll see how he is in the morning, maybe a bit of bribery with a pain au chocolat will get him out the door 😅

Might have a quiet word with teacher too if he’s still really upset, I don’t want him thinking PE is scary at this age.

You’re right though, I can’t have him thinking he can just bunk off because he’s not in the mood 😂

OP posts:
2025mustbebetter · 25/09/2025 21:26

Email the teacher and tell them he is anxious and feels it is too shouty. Make it clear that you don't think they are shouting AT him but he has misunderstood the sentiment. That pits the ball in their court to accommodate him. He shouldn't feel stressed and they need to know. It's not a complaint but they should know because any decent teacher will take that on board and adapt and support.

TeddyBeans · 25/09/2025 21:26

We've had lots of tears and refusal in my reception class. We don't make them do it but we do encourage them to join in with the bits they feel comfortable doing. They've only had two PE sessions since term started and it's literally been playing games like traffic light (red - stop, yellow - slow, green - fast) or the bean game and they did a bit of throwing and catching this week. Don't keep him off, as PPs have said, you'll be setting a dangerous precedent

AhBiscuits · 25/09/2025 21:27

I would make him go, he needs to get used to it. He has a lot of PE in his future.

SquirrelRed · 25/09/2025 21:31

I can understand why you feel like you do but what are you going to do if/when he still doesn't like p.e next week or the week after? Or he decides he doesn't like maths on Monday. I would send him in but tell him you will get him a cake or a little treat after school.
Good luck

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