Parent Guide to Surviving Field Day

I don’t know about your children’s school but ours ends the school year with a huge field day. It is a sweaty, hot, exhausting event that the kids love. As a teacher I enjoyed it but as a parent eh not so much. I mean don’t get me wrong. I’m always there, volunteering, cheering my kids on as my pale Irish skin burns in the sun. Are you a Field Day mom too? Read on for my handy parent guide to surviving field day. Number 10 is especially important

One thing I have noticed in my years as a teacher and parent are the various types of parents that signup. 

• The extra go-getting, “perfect” parent who volunteers for everything. 
• The kids’ guilt-tripped parent.
• The successfully avoided PTA commitments all year and have been caught by the head mom and glared into submission parent.
• The final hour parent that has forgotten all year to sign up for the other events.

Where do I fall into this? I like to volunteer in the classroom and I am the ultimate field trip mom but definitely not the go-getter. I’m the last one. I have had good intentions all year to sign up for the various events (except Bingo- not. a. fan.) but I have managed to procrastinate and miss the deadlines. So here I am at the end of the year and field day is my only option to show the PTA moms I’m not the slacking millennial they think I am. 

1. Water

Most schools will have a water station for the kids but I always bring extra. Those tiny shot glass sized paper cups just don’t do it for me.

2. Snacks

Your kids will be ravenous after running around. Pack them extra snacks in their lunch or bring some with you. Don’t forget to bring some for yourself too.

3. Sunscreen and Bug Spray

I could not be outside for 5 minutes without these, my faithful summertime friends. 

4. Camera

Yeah I hear yah, of course I will bring my camera. I had to include it incase someone took this list as law and came back to complain I forgot to say camera 😉 

5. Sunglasses and/or Hat

Protect your eyes and head! That sun is brutal!

6. Towel

To wipe off sweat, dirt, tears, and water. 

7. Allergy Medicine 

We just recently found my little man has seasonal allergies. Check the pollen count in your area before the big day.

8. Change of Clothes

For you and the kids. I hate feeling sweaty and dirty!! Maybe I should add extra deodorant too..

9. Rain Boots/Poncho/Clothes You Don’t Care Get Wet

Whether you are in charge of the water games or dousing yourself in water in hopes to cool off you will get wet. This is actually where I usually volunteer because I try to stay cool.

10. Happy Hour Plans

Just trust me on this one.