I'm shocked by my kid's late-night sports training on a school night

"It's so late! This is ridiculous to me!" Do you think this timing is too late for primary school kids?

A mum has expressed concern about her nine-year-old son being expected to attend school sports training at 7:30pm during the week. 

She took to an online parenting group to ask if others had a similar experience.

"What time do your 9/10-year-olds train for their sports on a school night?" she wrote.

"Maybe I'm being precious or living under a rock, but I'm shocked by a 7:30 pm training on a school night." 

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"This is ridiculous to me"

Some parents agreed that training later in the evening was too late.

"Yeah, nah. Ours are all 4 - 5 pm for under-10s," one mum responded. 

The OP (original poster) replied, "It's so late! This is ridiculous to me." 

But this mum observed a different perspective.

"You need to consider the coach, trainers, etc are parent volunteers who also possibly work," one said. "So, unless we are that parent, let's just be super grateful for the time being put in by them for our kids to play. 

"Organise the day prior. Early dinner. Uniform out ready. Quick shower. PJs ready. Story and bed by nine easily." 

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"That would be a perfect time"

Another mum shared that, given the coach, she's happy to accommodate his schedule: "My youngest trains Friday nights at 6pm. Our coach is amazing, and we work around his work schedule." 

And this parent did not agree at all, writing, "They have to take into consideration all the parents who work. A 4pm, 5pm, or even 5:30 training doesn't work for a lot of working families. The later, the better for our family."

Some shared how they make the timing work: "Mine trains for swimming three times a week, 6pm-7:30 pm. I bring dinner with us in a thermos, and he eats on the way home, so we get home, shower, then bed."

Many parents wished to be in the OP's position.

"I wished ours were that time, if not later, because of work," pleaded one. 

"That would be a perfect time! It's hard for people who work," added another. 

"After-school activities always need a lot of organisation and coordination," she continued. "My son finishes at 9pm, so by the time he gets home and showers, it's closer to 9:30pm - 10 pm, which is late for a 12-year-old on a school night.

"I also have to make sure he has dinner before training, so he isn't eating late at night. It means mealtimes aren't always together as a family, and it takes some planning, but what else can you do?"

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Originally published as I'm shocked by my kid's late-night sports training on a school night