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.
Our kids only get field day in 5th grade. It’s fun, though.
Ours is coming up in a week or two. I haven’t volunteered but I’m thinking about it. I loved it so much as a kid!
Now I know what I missing all those years! I totally forgot #10. 😉
Seriously, though, I usually forget the sunscreen. Being likewise fair-skinned and Irish, I inevitably go home with a red nose and red shoulders.
🙂
Traci
These are great tips! Field day was a bit stressful for me this year.
My kids Field Day is coming up. They are really excited for it. I really needed these tips!
Although I have no human kids, I am happy to see field day still exists. These are wonderful tips for parents to keep in mind.
Right on about the list of parents who volunteer for field day–totally funny. Great list, even though I don’t drink, I love number 10.
What timing for this post! We are about to have our school’s field day tomorrow…with rain in the forecast! It’s stressing a lot of people out. Thanks for the great tips!!
LOL! Happy Hour plans…that’s hilarious! Great tips here. We just had our field day last week and boy, I could have used some shade!
Unfortunately, when my kids were in school, I was working three jobs to put food on the table, so I don’t fit into any of your parenting categories – except maybe the mom that put the over-zealous PTA mom in her place for trying to guilt trip me about not being able to volunteer more.
These are great tips! My son is having his day today! He goes to private school, we’re not allowed to be there and help 🙁
Our kids don’t get field day until Grade 6 (boo!!) but I remember mine like it was yesterday!!
I can’t wait until they get theirs though..I am going to spend the day on the field with them.
I used to love volunteering but haven’t done so in a while. That’s a great list but I won’t walk with my camera since I have my cell phone which takes good pics, and water would certainly be top of my list too.
It is definitely an adventure volunteering at elementary schools, but I love it!