So much for being a role model - Clubhouse

Scar Runner

28/08/2002 at 10:37

Do you entertain the illusion that your running sets a good example to your kids? I did too, until yesterday.
Went to pick up my daughters aged 13 and 8 from sports camp being run at the local secondary school this week. I'd timed a run just beforehand and turned up feeling great; there we were young and old(ish) alike, all being active!
My 13 year old greeted me with a withering look, looked up and down my sweaty self and said sarcastically: 'THANKS for coming in your running gear.'
Apparently 'none of the other mums' pick their kids up in their running gear.

Barkles

28/08/2002 at 10:42

Ah! I think you are going about this the wrong way.
The correct spin on this one must surely be none of the others are as fit as you. Why not see if you can lure one of the others to come for a run and be the trend setter.
Alternatively remind your errant child that a) You are the one with the car.
b) The other kids mums haven't got your energy.

13 yr olds are the worst!
One of the mums at my school turns up in her aerobic gear to collect her kids, and none of the Dads complain.

Iron SwissBobby pirate

pirate

28/08/2002 at 10:43

Don't worry about it Laura, just wait till she has kids and a busy life and has to fit in whatever she does round everything else, and her daughter says the same thing. They you can smile.

Scar Runner

28/08/2002 at 10:46

Thanks SB, there's a growing list of things I'm looking forward to smiling about when she has her own kids.
Barkles - that was my second faux pas, I didn't bring the car making the poor little mites walk all the way home on their tired legs..

Iron SwissBobby pirate

pirate

28/08/2002 at 10:51

I am glad to here that you make your kids walk, I think there is too much of this chauffering the kids back and forth.

I can not believe the couch potato society that is being bred at the moment, well done LL. Keep up the good work. I like a mum who bucks the trends, or as Barkles says starts new ones.

Wicked Witch

28/08/2002 at 10:59

I have just had my confidence boosted no end by one of my daughters. Next week I am running my first 10k and started having doubts about coming in last, she responded by saying it doesn't matter were you come in at least you can run 10k.

Scar Runner

28/08/2002 at 11:15

Your daughter has the right attitude WW. Good luck with your first 10K, which one are you doing?

About the 'other mums' bit, I know for a fact at least 2 of them do go running, I think it was being seen all sweaty and dishevelled by her friends that so bothered my daughter. Anyway, now she's 13 my presence on this earth is increasingly a source of total embarrassment were it not for providing her with food and shelter for a few more years!

MartinH

28/08/2002 at 11:17

If my kids are ever embarrased by me then I threaten the next time I will turn up in my pants!

Hilly

28/08/2002 at 11:50

Laura, as sad as it is kid's seem to go through a stage when they are actually embarrassed by their parents. I can remember my son not even wanting to walk in the town with me. It hurt at the time, but they soon grow out of it and now my sons aged 15 and 18 will actually run with me on occasions.

Take heart in a couple of years she will be so proud that you are fit and healthy and not sitting all day smoking, drinking tea and watching television.

Wicked Witch

28/08/2002 at 12:11

Laura I am running the Gallovidian in Dumfries, fancy joining me.
Two of my daughters (I have 3, the witches coven) have been training partners either swimming or running in recent years, good bonding sessions. I don't envy any of you with "Kevin's" nothing is fair to a teenager.

Scar Runner

28/08/2002 at 13:35

Thanks! It's good to know you've come out on the other side Hilly. Most of the time we get on pretty well; she's even willing to accompany me on some my runs on her bike. The other day my husband kissed me in her presence and she literally curled up shrieking: 'I'm so glad my friends aren't here!'

Dumfries sounds quite a long way away, is that where you live? I'll look up the details WW as I do want to do a 10K this weekend. What about the Langdale 1/2 on 8/9? I've just re-read the details which ominously refer to a free Tshirt to all 'finishers', and has the strapline 'give this form to your friends - if you want to lose them'.

Wicked Witch

28/08/2002 at 15:22

Laura, The race is actually next Wednesday evening at 7.0p.m. and Dumfries is about half an hour off the M6/M74 at Carlisle and along the A75.

Wicked Witch

28/08/2002 at 15:28

Laura, sorry meant to say I am working in Dumfries until October/November, home is Heysham, near Morecambe Lancs.

Edski

28/08/2002 at 22:33

WW - my problem is with my 4 year old who won't come anywhere near me when I come back from a run - she says 'you're all sweaty - yuk! You need a shower!'. But at least she has promised to come with when she's older.

Gnasher

29/08/2002 at 13:58

My 19 yr old has been tempted to run with me on my short circuit, then her boyfriend accompanied us too....we keep up the banter on the way round and then sprint for the finish, I can still (only just mind) beat the 21 year old boyfriend and that makes me feel SO good!

Monique

pirate

29/08/2002 at 14:59

I find that if you remind them that you are only embarrassing them in revenge for the times as 3 year olds that they screamed the supermarket/bus/train/street down causing all within earshot to tut and call you a bad mother soon shuts them up.
I got told not to wear my purple studded dog collar to my son's open day at school, I wouldn't mind but it matched the outfit perfectly.

Daisy Duke

29/08/2002 at 20:08

I'm glad I'm not the only one suffering with the 'Kevin' attitude. My 13 year old daughter's fav line's are Mum you are so embarassing & why are you not like everyone else's mum? mmmm no idea... I am apparently 'Uncool' I drive a van instead of a car (hide me please) I ride a motorbike for fun (mum my friends say only lesbians ride motorbikes) I run with pig tails and wear shorts !!!!
Then I turn up a school party to get her, and a friend thought I was her big sister ... (it was dark) that did not go down too well... I'm sure some day she will forgive me ....

Wolfy (iRunner)

30/08/2002 at 15:55

I remember when my daughter was 13 a couple of years ago and rather unfortunately for her whilst I was out running one day (down a road that I don't normally go down) I saw my daughter smoking for the first time, she looked at me and very cleverly tried to hide the cigarette as I ran past she timidly said 'hi mum' and her friend (who later became her first boyfriend) shouted at the exact same moment'cor get your xxts out'. My daughter hated me from that moment onwards!!! We are pals now.

Scar Runner

30/08/2002 at 16:40

Clearly this is to do with being 13 rather than being a running mum. I'm glad there are others who don't try to be like everyone else's mum - pig tails and a motor bike sounds cool.
Haven't had to confront any furtive smoking yet; so your daughter still accepted him as a boyfriend even after that Wolfy, she must have liked him!

Wolfy (iRunner)

30/08/2002 at 16:49

Laura L, I think my daughter taking him on as a boyfriend was an act of rebellion rather than her liking him due to the fact that when she came home not only did she get blasted for smoking but I questioned her taste in friends too!!!! The knack is to pretend that you like their pals even going to the extent of inviting them round for tea....your teenager will soon stop bothering with the undesirable individuals deeming them uncool!