AIBU to think a three-hour sports day is too long?

[DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat]

AIBU to think a whole school 3 hour sports day is ridiculous?
11am - 2pm.
A range of activities.
DD is in Reception.

Children have been upset for generations because there's always been parents who carnt attend. Schools are good at handling this, it's not new. A few parents have complained, I've had kids in school for the last 24 years overall. A few complaints will not change the schools mind ESP when it goes against what's best the the majority of kids.

Sounds great.

Better than some schools that don't have fields (whether that's because they were sold for housing to offset the cost of a large academy chain or because the academy chain building a new one didn't see the need for grass and trees) - 5 mile trip across town in rush hour to drop off or go there alone at 8am, no shade, no freely available water, often no toilets or seats, sitting watching others do all but one event at most all day and then having to be collected or released to find their own way home from that venue at some indeterminate point between 2 and 4.30pm.

A relaxed time with food, water, shade and a bunch of activities sounds much better to me for kids, staff and parents able to take time off work.

It won't be for all 3 hours though because they will have to eat lunch.

Lots of people have taken time to give you advice and yet you're still just moaning about the lovely event staff are organising for your child. Maybe they should cancel the whole thing and then you can moan about that instead?

You've posted more on this thread than I have! 🤣🤣🤣

We used to do ours as a most of the morning followed by a picnic lunch then children back to class thing. Parents complained about children being out in the sun at dinner time.

We have changed it now to 1-3. Parents are complaining we aren’t doing the picnic.

like I said before. Damned if we do, damned if we don’t!

🙄🙄🙄🙄

And posted a lot more sense than you too @DriveVerySlowlyPastNumber23IWantThemToSeeMyHat

SIlly me wanting my child to have somebody at their ridiculously timed sports day 🙃 How silly of other parents at the school to agree with me.

But they will have someone there. You can fortunately attend, unlike your child's teachers kids who will probably not have their parent there. Your whole thread is just one long moan about something that you've confirmed isn't even a problem as you can attend.

They do attend their kids things though! They told me at parents evening how they do. Yet another person who thinks they know everything and knows sod all 🤨

No, bit if you want someone there for your child, you make it happen. Obviously some people will agree with the timing, others will disagree. You aren't always right and honestly you need to choose your battles or school will be sooooo long and draining for your kids.

People are commenting on your thread and you're being nothing but a jerk tbh. You don't sound like a competent adult, more like a sulky teen.

That kind of sarcasm is part of the problem. And calling a perfect standard times sports day “ridiculous”.

Children are allowed to have some fun at school. Occasionally these events will be open to parents who can and want to to watch.

Yes, we do use a lot of leave in the school hols. But that’s in most cases split between two parents, even if separated (or should be) and holiday clubs do exist.

Or no one is making you attend sports day!

And you're being a jerk too 🤷🏻‍♀️

I don’t think schools can please everyone. You have to trust they have good reasons for their decision and go with good grace if you want to and can.

my dc are in secondary now and I couldn’t go to any of their sports days (though Dh did). I managed a lot of other events but sports days always fell on a time of year I couldn’t take leave. It was fine and not a big deal for me or the dc.

Are you actually your reception aged child? 😂

Schools are dammed whatever they do. The parents that can't easily take time off work will complain if there are too many events for them to attend, the parents that perhaps don't work, work more flexibly or have retired local grandparents, will complain if there aren't enough opportunities to see what their kids are doing at school!

IF they are able to attend every single event their children’s school has on then that is very rare.

I have an amazing head who is very supportive but I can still only take time off to attend special events not something like sports day.

They were always on Saturdays in my day. No need for time off work.

You're the one throwing out names because somebody disagrees with you 🙃 I've said why I don't agree with it. I've said other parents also agree.

Yet I'm a jerk. The sensible advice on here, I've responded. The sarcastic comments, I tend to ignore.

MN is such a bizarre place.

I wouldn't expect them on a weekend and goodness, imagine the outrage on MN?!

Also, for every parent who says it’s “slap bang” in the middle of the working day, another will say “oh but I have to drop
my youngest to preschool at 9.30/10 / pick them up at 2.30”, so will want the middle of the day. And bemoan how “ridiculous” it is that the school didn’t think of the preschool hours.

Or they’ll have a baby and toddler session at 9, or someone’s grandma can only cover for the youngest at x o’clock, or someone works nights but might get some sleep in and catch a bit if it’s 11 / get off to work after a 2 pm finish but not if it was 3 - basically they’ll upset someone whatever.

Maybe because I actually know how schools run

Of course you do. You seem to know everything 🙃

I called you a jerk because you are acting like a petulant child. Laughing and sneering at people commenting on a thread who haven't bowed down to you. Not because I disagree with you.

The most sarcastic comments have come from you...

Where have I laughed and sneered at people? 🤣