My game girl left me in a sports daze

School sports days can be a nightmare for many parents. I know – I’ve seen my tearful little ones traipse in last often enough.

I’d offer words such as “it’s about the taking part, you did so well”.

In the end I stopped going – I couldn’t handle the upset. This year Amara,

11, asked me to go again.

I made an excuse and her dad went instead. Expecting the worst, I prepared her favourite dinner and laid on some treats on her return. Blow me – she only came second in the 800 metres! I hugged and kissed her as if she’d won Olympic silver.

And it taught me a valuable lesson. No matter how many times you fail, pick yourself up, keep trying... one day it will work out.