Parents and school involvement

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-17-2003
Parents and school involvement
2586
Thu, 08-23-2007 - 8:49am

My question stems from a personal experience. My middle child is starting kindergarten next week. I've become fairly close with one of my dd's friend's moms- this is her first child entering the school system. She WOH, I do not, plus I have experience with the school, so she's been calling me with questions and comments.

It started to go bad when she called to complain that the kindy orientation is during the day- when she is working. Then it led to complaints about the parents' read aloud program (when the kids are in library) and other opportunities for volunteerism in the school. I get that these things aren't convenient for her, but I'm getting annoyed with the complaining. How can the kids have an orientation at night when they go to school during the day? None of these events are mandatory for parents or kids. And plenty of activities are scheduled for evenings: Back to school night, the PTA picnic, etc.

She thinks because she can't participate, no one should be able to, apparently. Plenty of WOHP do show up for these things. I think she's being unrealistic if she thought she could put a couple of kids through school without ever taking a vacation day. Am I wrong? Am I missing something here?

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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 11:04am

Well, I would be but I don't think that it do any good. I would never marry a man who wasn't into raising his kids in the first place. Am I weird in that dh and I talked about raising kids, jobs, housework, etc before we got married?

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 11:10am

Same with bridal. In another couple of years, there won't be any "off season".

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 11:12am

Great. Your post sounded like to me that he didn't do any of those things with the rest of the family. So I asked.

Chris

The truth may be out there but lies are in your head. Terry Pratchett

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 11:32am
You never know. Mine never liked the gym childcare (even though it is a really good gym childcare), but they've all enjoyed preschool. My DD points to the childcare room at the gym when we go to the pool, and says "Mommy, don't put me in that childcare. I don't like that place." But she begs to stay for nap at her preschool. I think the atmosphere of a gym childcare is more chaotic, with kids coming and going, and different teachers and kids, versus the comfortable routines and stability of a regular preschool/daycare.
Avatar for mommy2amani
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 12:31pm

Well, there goes my argument with DD that she is the only 8 yo on the planet who will not go upstairs and take her shower unless I (or DH) is also upstairs. Or maybe not, Liza's over it? She is the only one now, then.

Lora

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 12:36pm

You forgot the rest of that paragraph.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 12:37pm
Because she clearly stated he would rather be at work.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 12:39pm
You don't think there is a difference between men and women? There is not a difference of what your children learn from you and your dh?
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 12:39pm

So you just leave your volunteer station?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 12:39pm
are kids that young really able to articulate chaotic environments over others? are you sure it's just that maybe she has more friends at her daycare/preschool than the gym? my preschooler doesn't rate the y's kidzone any differnt than he does preschool. the only thing he has expressed feeling about is missing staffer ms.esther from the other y's kidzone we moved from.

 

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