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: 10-04-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 8:34am

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I don't think they are missing out on interaction.

 

Shari mother to

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2007
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 8:44am

Thanks, I missed that.

I also find it unusual that an engineer who aspires to become VP soon can determine his hours like that, and down to the exact minute too. But perhaps it can be done.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 8:47am

Thanks I guess then if stating my opinion is nasty, then I've been nasty.

 

Shari mother to

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 8:52am

IME, in the professional world, leaving early - no matter what time you came in- is frowned upon and may limit future considerations for promotion- or at least delay them. Less face time. One has to be a stand out to get away with it and not affect future promotion pace. Especially if one aspires to the VP level (not counting banking as everyone is a VP in banking after the first or second promotion ;) )

There are of course exceptions. I have heard of companies whose corporate culture is more of a get in early leave early mantra.

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 8:55am

I did explain that to her.

 

Shari mother to

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-18-2007
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 8:56am

I don't think any of us really know the teachers and daycare providers/babysitters we use. In a nearby city a few years ago, I'm sure the parents thought they knew the elementary school teacher well enough, until he was arrested for having child porn in his home.

So, no, I don't see some huge advantage in leaving children with full-day care providers over an hour-long babysitter.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 8:59am
Where are you getting that I even live near that train station?
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 9:00am
You can, of ccourse, force them, but when dd was smaller, I did not really have the heart to do that. Now that she is a teen it would get much uglier than anything I feel like dealing with. I would probably need to hire muscle to get her on the bus.
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-04-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 9:02am

When I said I don't care why he works long hours, is because I am used to it and is normal to us.

 

Shari mother to

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 9:04am
In a lot of ways, I think our dcp did a better job of caring for the kids than DH did.

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