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: 06-27-1998
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:34pm

Shocking isn't it?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2000
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:35pm
Sounds like my dh's job.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:35pm
You can't accept that she DID say that? I don't doubt he doesn't like his job but as much as you like it, you should understand that you have a family at home and a wife taking care of 4 kids under the age of 6 that needs your help. You should not have to be told that you have to be home at a certain time.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:36pm

I read that she didn't know the exact reason and did care that he worked late, thus asking him to come home by a certain time each evening in order not to work late.


My idea of odd is choosing to work 80+ hours a week every week, not 50 or so.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2000
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:37pm
With my dh, some of it is job pressure, and some of it is a strong work ethic.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:38pm
Does your dh read your mind? It sounds like you are saying husbands should always know exactly what their wives are thinking.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:39pm

Actually if you notice, I didn't state anything about feeling guilty, so I guess it's not me.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:39pm
I did not call her naive or anyone on this board. I made a general statement to ALL spouses.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:39pm
Mine too. He can't understand the people who are content to leave at 5:00, when the job isn't finished.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Tue, 08-28-2007 - 3:42pm
Perhaps you should avoid "you" statements then.

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