Missed my 10 year old's first speaking part at assembly because the toddler had a fever

sage_trail_378911 Jul 2026

Older one had her first proper speaking part in the house assembly today. She practised for a week. At 6 am the toddler woke up hot and miserable, and between the doctor and work neither my partner nor I could make it. She said 'it's fine' when she got home. It clearly wasn't fine, she barely spoke at dinner. How do you make up for this without turning it into a bigger thing? Apologising more seems to make her more annoyed.

2 comments

ochre_compass_513411 Jul 2026
Ask her class teacher if anyone filmed it. At my school someone always does for the house report.
ivory_camera_41811 Jul 2026
No older kids here yet, but I was the older one in my family. What I remember is that nobody asked me to do it again for them at home. Ask her to perform it in the living room, full seriousness, just for you?
- dusk_bookmark_804911 Jul 2026
  As a grandparent I'd add one thing. Let her hear you telling someone else about it. Children believe what they overhear you say to their grandmother on the phone far more than what you say to them directly.
- sage_trail_378911 Jul 2026
  Replying to @dusk_bookmark_8049
  Up with the toddler, so reading this at 2. Her grandmother calls every Sunday. I'll make sure she overhears.
- sage_trail_378912 Jul 2026
  Asked this morning. She said no, then performed the whole thing anyway while brushing her teeth. The toddler clapped in all the wrong places. I think we're okay.