It's that time of year when schools all over the UK are preparing for sports days. PE teachers are organising the different races and events. Pupils are practicing. Parents are busy booking time off work so they can go and watch.Whether they don't consider themselves 'sporty', hate the competitive element or feel uncomfortable with the whole school and parents watching them, some children would far rather stay at home that day.
Kirsty says that allowing your child to skip the day is depriving them of learning these valuable life skills. Instead of letting them skive off, Kirsty suggests taking them to school as normal but chatting them through why.'Explain that it's not a day you're going to enjoy but you know what, in life, there are lots of days that you're not going to enjoy, but you have to go through and do.
Mental health problems But one mum who isn't a fan of school sports day is empowerment coach and podcaster Harriet Shearsmith. 'Overhaul sports days' Harriet also thinks that the way schools approach sports day should get a complete overhaul.