To not attend sports day.

[EVIEeeee]

My kids have sports day tomorrow. Its a 9.30 until 3.00 event where we sit on the field amd watch 7s and under in the morning then we watch over 7s after dinner. Theres a picnic in the middle for kids to have with their parents. If you need the toilet you have to walk approc 5 mins to be let in the building. You have to bring your own chairs and blankets.

My kids are not keen on sportsday.

Would i be an awful mum to not attend when its landed on my day off. I would happily attend if it was a couple of hours

As someone whose parents didn’t go to these events, please go. If only for the picnic. X

No i don’t think that makes you awful

Yes. Don't make your kids be the only ones with no one cheering them on. These things matter. Especially if you're on a day off anyway!!

Would you expect your children to attend if you didn’t? My mum disliked attending sports day, she gave us the day off so we wouldnt be sat there without a parent.

If you can go, go. My DC all just about flown.. these are the things they remember. This support. Especially at events they don't like! Because seeing you there might make it a better day for them.

You cant go just for that bit the gates are locked and unlocked aftet dinner for any parents with a child in juniors. I dont drive so its a half hour walk which is no issue but i cant carry chairs etc.

I think its just rubbish when you have 2 children opposite ends. They havent really made it easy for working parents.

I think you do need to go.

Sadly I think you need to go, in your situation I would go.
It’s not really about you but your children. If they already are not keen on sports day, will they feel a bit let down when you’re not there to join in the picnic with them?

It’s one day in your children’s lives. Please go if you’re able to.

Before you know it they will be in high school and then they will not want you to come to anything they do in case their school mates realise that they (whispers) "have parents" 😱.
Do you know any of the other parents? If so sit with them sneak in some wine and have a lovely afternoon chatting. If not earphones and listen to an Audio book in between races.

Sports Day is largely hideous for a range of reasons.

In your shoes as much as I wouldn’t want to go , I would do it for my children and only my children.

I would take myself out of the equation. I would take the other competitive, wanky parents , the stressed out teachers , the occasional annoying little child, all out of the equation , and I would be there for my children.

Oh, and I’d sneak in an emergency secret can of G and T if desperately needed (aka Julia from Motherland style ) …

Good luck!

I don't think Sports Day is the be all and end all. I can never go to this sort of thing as I work in a school. I make it up to dd by doing lovely things together at other times. Dds grandparents do often go instead and enjoy it- is this something that could be arranged?

They lock the gates! They aren’t making it easy for you to slope off are they? I echo what the others say it would be good to go if you can. Can you perhaps speak to the keeper of the keys and say you have some other obligations and can only attend for a bit. Perhaps catch the end of the morning stay for lunch and leave after the start the afternoon games that way you can catch a bit of both parts of the day.

Showing up is one of the most important aspects of being a parent. They remember these things. It's your day off, it's a 5 min walk to a toilet - I think you need to suck it up and go. It's one day for your kids.

As it's your day off, I think you should go. It will mean a lot to your children. I do understand why you aren't keen though!

I used to ban my parents from attending anything like Sports Day or Speech Day! You don't have to go, OP - and surely most parents would be at work anyway?

If you don't go then just keep the kids off and have a lovely day together?

Or if they are really sporty and don't want to miss it then I think it's important they have someone supporting them. You won't be the only parent having to endure a whole day

It's one day, make the effort.
We have ours Thursday. I've gotta go down to another location for my youngest, then back up to school to join them for a picnic. I may even stay to watch my nephew if he has no one there for him. Like your school it's split. I've had a couple of years where I've been there all day for mine. Take a blanket to sit on. Chat with the other parents. You're doing it for your children.
Time goes by quickly and before you know it they are in secondary where parents aren't involved in anything. This is the first year for my eldest and it feels a little strange to not be there...

Just to? You're making lame excuses. Bring a picnic blanket so you don't have to carry chairs. Your poor kids.

Go*

You say they haven't made it easy for working parents but it's your day off!
The locking of the gates will be about safeguarding, surely you can see that they don't want random adults walking around or a child to escape.
If you don't want to go then don't go!

I think people are making too much of a big deal out this, I genuinely can't remember whether my mum was there for every sports day I was too busy absolutely hating everything about the day.

on your day off?
no excuse
i never forget when i won the sack race which my mum turned up late to

Ill go 😊 thank you for helping me decide.