It has recently been mentioned that maybe parents should be banned from school sports day; this is because some parents have behaved badly and embarrassed their children.
Some parents are annoyed when their children don’t win.One parent even went so far as to take along her own sports day medal to give to her (and no one else’s child) should he not win one, fair and square
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Another set of parents turned up wearing specially printed t-shirts with their child’s name on; which would be unfair on the other children.
A father was heard saying that he didn’t think that sports day should be competitive, as it wasn’t fair on his non sporty daughter: my feelings on this is that sports day gives any children who are not academically good in the classroom the chance to show that they are good at other things (if they are fast runners, for example).
Some children feel disappointed if their parents can’t attend sports day because of work commitments, but does this mean that all parents should be prevented from attending to make them feel better?
One of the reasons that I felt that being a registered child minder was a great career choice was because it meant that I was able to go to sports day and other school events- it meant taking the children in my care along too, but everyone enjoyed that, I took along a blanket to sit on and some drinks and snacks. We would all cheer on all the children taking part.
When my older sons were in primary school , the school had a great system for sports day; any children from the same family regardless of age or different school years were in the same colour team, meaning that if they came 1st,2nd or 3rd in a race they added points to their team.
My youngest son went to a village school which was great but didn’t have enough outside space for a sports day, so they teamed up with another small school and held a joint sports day there. This worked well and there didn’t appear to be any rivalry between the two school’s parents or children.
I have heard of a school who didn’t tell parents about sports day, I think this was to do with taking photos that may have other children in, but the school could have pointed this out to parents.
If you are not banned from sports day, go along and enjoy every minute as before you know it your children will have grown and left school.
So should parents be banned from attending school sports day? I would love to hear what others think.
As always questions and comments are welcome.
Until next time.
Karen
x
Absolutely not.
I appreciate that sometimes you will get parent who “shall we say behave worse than the children” but it really it’s wondefful for us parents to watch their children’s efforts and achievements, whether they win or lose, the whole point is that they participated as teams, they work at their own level and ability, NO 2 children are the same, whaT one my be really good at, another may not, and vice versa.
Finally from my experience, most parents are good team players, and cheer all the children on, regardless of ability,, So may be ask the parents with no control over their behaviour to leave, but not penalise the parents or indeed children who get much pleasure from sports days.
Tina
Thanks Tina you have summed it up! X
And thanks for letting me use your photos once again, appreciate it x
Oh it would be so sad if parents were not allowed to attend sports day. Most parents try so hard to go despite having to juggle time at work if possible. I have always enjoyed sports days over the years and think of it as a social event.
I loved going to my kids school sports day and my kids would have been horrified if I wasn’t there to cheer them on or embarass myself in the Mums race. Perhaps we read too much into everything these days. #KCACOLS
Mhm that’s a difficult one. When I was a kid sports day was always without parents (as during daytime also) – I don’t think this was a bad thing, overly competitive parents, excessive photo taking etc will surely make children overly conscious? #globalblogging
My son struggles with not winning but I think it is a good lesson that life you don’t always get what you want. I mean where is the line if ban sports day then what, it would never end then I don’t think children would mature X #dreamteam
Non of my children have been sporty, and my daughter is not healthy enough to take part in many sports. They still included her in Sports Day by being given jobs to do like, arranging obstacles and keeping score. She loved it. I loved watching my young ones compete. The best ever was at their old school where they had the sports day at the local castle ruins, it was so much fun that I don’t think anyone was really bothered about winning or losing, it was more about having a great day. We had fabulous weather too and a lovely picnic afterwards. I’d hate not to be invited, but I did miss my youngest’s sports day this year as I was in hospital 🙁
#abitofeverything
Thanks for sharing your story x
Hate sports day and think it should be optional. Puts way too many children under a lot of distress and I have on occasion walked out of sports day with my child. If parents go they should behave well modelling the way for their children. But I remember hating sports day and being bullied by pupils and teachers so it always hits a raw nerve with me #AnythingGoes
I hope parents will continue to be able to watch sports days. My son comes last in every race. We still cheer him on and we celebrate that he had fun and more importantly he was a good sport and celebrated the children who did win. #DreamTeam
He managed to improve this year and come 4th in one race! #KCACOLS
Fantastic that will give him bucket loads of confidence, thanks for the update x
We loved attending sports day and would be so sad if we couldn’t go. All the parents were very well behaved at ours! #BloggerClubUK
I think banning parents is a bit extreme, but the school should definitely set out some very clear guidelines about acceptable behaviour beforehand and maybe sanction those parents who don’t follow them. Sports day is about having fun and enjoying the activities. Some parents just get ridiculously competitive, but they are a small minority and shouldn’t affect the enjoyment t of everyone else. Thanks for linking up with #kcacols, join us again next time!
Its a shame that people have to act like tools and potentially ruin it for everybody. I think somewhere along the line we lost sight of the fact that these things are supposed to be FUN #KCACOLS
I missed out on Zach’s sports day this year and it was the first one I’d ever missed: I felt soooo guilty. I think most parents act appropriately so should be allowed to attend. Thanks for linking up with #globalblogging
Parents and their kids activities, combined with competition? Sometimes a horrible mix. Oy vey Their kids will grow up to do the same to their own kids. #KCACOLS xoxo
I think the world has gone entirely mad! Sports day should be fun for all. It is a great day when the sun shines. Thanks for sharing with the #DreamTeam
I dont think parents should be banned, but I do think they should be under very strict rules and not allowed to interfere in the day at all.
#abitofeverything
I really hope parents start behaving themselves so can be present for this rite of passage! Thanks for linking up with #stayclassymama
My childrens’ school threatened this, this year. Last year there were some rather embarrassingly behaved parents who should not have acted in the manner they did. This just spoils it for the rest of us, who have booked time off work to see the kids happily taking part. I don’t think it’s the kids rivalry that is under question. It is the adults!
I wrote a post on this very subject and my answer is no! #KCACOLS
I’m looking forward to Finn starting school this year so we can watch sports day. It’s a shame some parents ruin it, but it’s a great thing, and as you say it gives many children lots of opportunities to be good at something or try something new that they might not have had. Thanks so much for sharing with us #AdventureCalling
I went to my first sports days last year, and it was brilliant. In every situation, there will be people who behave in a way that isn’t the best. But I like to think but for every one of those, there are thousands who behave appropriately.
I really enjoyed watching all the kids trying their best. It something that we have tried to instil in Rowan – try your best and enjoy yourself.
Thanks for sharing with #AdventureCalling