Bucket brigade during Field Day 08

Bucket brigade during Field Day 08

My daughter, LM’s school does things a little different for their Field Day. It’s this week.

The gym teacher says he likes to hold Field Day in the fall, because the fields are in better shape in the fall and because it gives the parents a chance to be social and meet each other early in the year vs. at the end of the year.

When it happens isn’t a big deal for us, but this year LM has become very stressed out about Field Day.

She hasn’t been able to go to sleep the past several nights because she is so worried and upset about participating in Field Day.

LM is a lot like me. I too in my youth was very stressed about performing at any level in front of people. I didn’t want to look bad. Heck, I didn’t want to look average. I put a lot of pressure on myself to perform at the top level all the time.

So I can understand why she’s upset. I just don’t know how to help her through this.

As a parent, I’m excited to go to Field Day. This year it’s on my day off and my husband and I have made plans to watch all day. I had fun for the partial day I was able to attend last year. I enjoy it especially because I can spend time with LM and share a part of her life (her school life) with her. It’s a special treat for me to spend time with her during the school day.

As a student, LM is stressed about performing. She is stressed about doing events she doesn’t like (the long distance run). She is very focused on whether or not she is good at an event.

We spent time tonight focusing on questions like “Does anyone win all blue ribbons?” “What events are you good at?” “What events do you enjoy?”

But I’m not sure she’s buying it. She is so focused on the dislike and the potential failures that she isn’t seeing the fun, the joy and just the participation.

LM was in first grade last year and participated in Field Day. It was an emotional day for her (she’s always been sensitive) but I thought overall she was excited and had fun. She carried her ribbons around for weeks and months after and showed them to everyone that paused to look. She wasn’t focused on performance as much as she was focused on me watching her and being in the moment. I’m not sure what has changed for this year.

Any suggestions or ideas to get LM through Field Day with at least a smile on her face?