This week sees the annual occurrence that is sports day at
my boys’ school. I had a vague recollection of it’s mention in the school
newsletter a few weeks ago but watching my older lads running laps of the back
garden while passing the dog’s toy to each other this weekend, in preparation
for the relay and discovering my seven year old going through my husband’s tie
drawer for a “nice colour” tie confirmed my suspicions that it was drawing ever
closer. The countdown has begun and everyone is keeping their fingers crossed
that the weather will stay fine.
Experienced parents have booked their time off work and one first time
Junior Infant parent asked me earlier “is it that big a deal?” My reply was “Oh
yes – sports day is a huge deal”
Love it or loathe is, and I’m really not sure what camp I’m
in, sports day is a huge deal for the kids and for several of the parents too.
Yes it’s great to see our children having fun with their friends and, if your
child is any way sporty, maybe even win a medal or two. The “it’s all about
taking part” line, however, does not wash with all of the children,
particularly those past Senior Infants for whom a medal is no longer
guaranteed, just for taking part. In
this house, with children of extremely mixed sporting ability I know there will
be tears and sadness on the day for some of them, when best efforts will still
leave zero chance of coming anywhere. I
know it could be viewed as a life lesson but, as an adult, I’m not likely to
put myself in a competitive environment for something I know I am absolutely
brutal at, and I can handle disappointment slightly better than a child.
And speaking of competitive environments, the highlight of
the day for many there will be the parent’s race! You will see some, kitted out
in their top notch sports gear and expensive running shoes, laughing off
suggestions that it’s anything but a “bit of craic” but discreetly warming up
on the sidelines as they cheer on their sons in their races. Toned and tanned limbs give away any misconception
that these parents are anything other than seasoned runners, and they mean
business. Elsewhere, the more reluctant sportsmen and sportwomen among us will
panically try to think of excuses not to take part. I already, am lamenting an
absent pregnancy bump for different reasons to usual. It has crossed my mind to
just stick a cushion up my dress, after all I’m always pregnant and I think
most of the parents from the school have lost count at this stage. Would anyone even be suspicious?
Failing that I’ll just have to hope the organisers turn the
tables on those magnificent sporty parents and that the parent’s race involves an
egg and spoon! #sportsdayworries #mamatude
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