Lots of fun - or too much?

[Daisy]

I know a lot of us have primary school aged grandchildren.

Do you think all the end of term/year activities have got out of hand - sports day, special assemblies, parties, picnics, non-uniform days, fetes, parents evenings, etc. etc. My DIL2 is reeling from it all - between playgroup and school, plus GD1 is leaving her infants school (junior school in September!) and there's a leavers' assembly, a leavers' party, visits to her new school, plus she's also leaving Rainbows because she will be 7 in the holidays and there are a load of activities there, too. Inevitably some of these activities have costs involved which not all parents are able to afford.

Both the girls are tired and on short fuses, plus GD1 has spent a lot of time worrying about going to the 'new' school, even though it's just across the playground.

What do you think?

[Plantaholic]

I agree Daisy, it has got out of hand, poor children, teachers and parents are stretched to the limit. When I worked at our middle school, I used to say to my OH, things will be normal soon. Since then lots more activities have been added to the end of school year. I also was a Brown Owl with a local Brownie pack but avoided extra activities when there was so much going on in schools. Roll on next week then they can all have a rest.

[Daisy]

Plant - that's interesting that you were thinking exactly the same thing some years ago when you were directly involved. You were a very sensible Brown Owl! I feel sorry for all of them, and I know at the end of the year teachers are exhausted, it's not just the children and parents are either very competitive with fancy dress outfits, cakes or whatever or like my DIL2 overwhelmed. It's sad to see GD1 in particular looking forward to yet another event, and then on the day being pale, tired and tearful. Even GD2 who is much more 'gung ho' about things is feeling it.

[Oma]

Daisy it gets so silly I know our boys get tired , Oliver was away with Beavers last weekend come the Monday DS said had to drag him out of bed and it was Sports day on the Tuesday so he wasn't feeling in the best of moods , they have several events this week its just too much for them ,
Your poor GD its a big step even if its only across the yard , you know she will be fine but feel for her too,
When mine were at school they had a end of year Disco and that was it , it was more exciting for them as it was a one night only thing too look forward too all term

[Mimi]

Last year two of my GC spent the first few days of the summer holidays catching up on some sleep they were so tired with all the last weeks activities at school, various clubs etc. I agree its all got out of hand.
Is there person (s) making money out of all of this I wonder ?

[Gemini]

I am torn with this one!

A lot of the summer things are fun, but a lot of work for staff, and as Daisy says can be an overload for children who are getting tired as the term ends

I have to say so far GD, 7, has enjoyed everything. Going to a mosque somewhere near Hull, and a trip to local Frankie and Bennys to make (and eat) pizzas have been greatly enjoyed..
I did like this term when I worked with children I must admit, especially the Teddy bears Picnic I organised each year

[Daisy]

Gem, I can understand your divided feelings, and I enjoyed the second half of the summer term with my first years (ie lower sixth), but even they at 16/17 would be worn out by the end of the term - admittedly they would have had some external exams, but the pressure was very hard for many of them.

GD1 had parents' evening last night. She didn't go, but couldn't get to sleep until her mummy and daddy got back home to tell her how it went. Then this morning it was swimming lessons and after lunch they spent the afternoon in the Junior School, with their new teacher. She takes it all very much to heart and would never dream of doing less than her best (and I know your GD is the same ) and there are events every day next week. As Oma says, our own children had an end of year party or disco, and the excitement of that was high octane. I remember when DS2 was leaving junior school the rather miserable head wouldn't let them have any sort of party to mark the end of their time there. They were so disappointed that some of us mothers got together and organised a disco for the whole class, including their lovely teacher and his wife. But that was it! There must be a happy medium somewhere.

Mimi - I hadn't thought of that (the money), but I don't think so - not for events organised by the school or organisations like Rainbows.

[Shemadee]

There is possibly a need for the school to appear to be very active and busy when compared to other schools. However DD1 chose the less busy school as the atmosphere was calm and not frantic as it was in the very busy school.

[Glammanana]

My youngest DGS is away camping for 3 days in Wales for his D.O.E award and I know he will come home to-morrow late afternoon absolutly shattered from the 10 mile walk they are expected to complete then Monday morning they are having sports day so he will be a total wreck, on Tuesday they are off to Liverpool to visit the Slave Museum as part of a project they are doing so yes I do think far to much is expected at this time of year I would hate to be in my DDs shoes as this chap can moan for England when he is tired so I am staying out of the way until school has been finished for at least a week.

[Daisy]

Glamm - I can sympathise with the poor lad - they need a lot of sleep at that sort of age (teenager?) and have no idea how to pace themselves with physical activities. I hope he gets his DOE - good for him for tackling it - it's far from easy.

Shem - I think you're right - there's a huge push to 'look good' to prospective parents, but it's not right for all children. Both our GSs went to a single stream entry primary, and they had a more traditional approach to end of term events which suited both boys better than a very busy all-singing all-dancing one.