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: 11-18-2005
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:08am

So, you homeschool?

And you can speak for yourself only. I just had dinner last night with my dd's 3rd grade teacher. Half of their soccer team is made up of the teachers and teacher's aides children. I live in very, very family oriented and close-knit neighborhood.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:15am
no one is neglecting to mention anything. alot of wohm's have children who never attend afterschool care. you are basing your idea of woh on some idea of a 9-5 job that i dont know many wohm's have, some sure, but certainly not the majority. when i woh my child spent less than 45 minutes in afterschool care per day. as a sahm my kids spend that and more time on the bus or in afterschool activities. as a parent i can think of alot of things that are as important for my children to attend afterschool as being at home with toys
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:21am
but do know that some people's standards on this board and irl aren't determined by what a woh job can provide
someone has to have a woh job or there are no standards at all. it is just that in some cases it takes one income and in others it takes two - thats not a standard that is something that is dependant on alot of things, spouses income, where you choose to live, number of kids, etc.....
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:22am

I would agree if that was the end of the sentence, but that's not the complete sentence.


<<I don't know the exact reason he works late it his job.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-08-2001
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:23am
Oh, I have my days when I have my office all locked up and clean by 4:55, LOL! I wasn't commenting on your situation per se, just my experience with salaried positions. My boss comes in late (between 9:30 and 10:30am) but he stays till about 8pm. Late afternoons are best for him, and early mornings are best for me. If he needs me to stay after 5, I do, because I'm on salary and I'm expected to step up. An hourly employee whose shift ends at 5pm but is
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:24am

<<You didn't just say that you don't know the reason you said that you did not care the reason. Does it really not matter to you if he is working long hours because his work load requires it or if he is working long hours because he would rather be at work than at home?>>


I think if you read the entire sentence, it's clear.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-05-2000
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:32am

>Having a sahp is universally better when a child is being abused or neglected in daycare.<

This one I agree with. The rest of them I don't. Why are they universally better? I know why they would be better for Erica. But they are not universally better for Dylan. Dylan likes his afterschool care. He gets to see his friends and play with them instead of coming home. IME, those kids in both before and aftercare are the ones who go home earlier in aftercare than the ones who are only in aftercare. As was true for his daycare. As for the summer and other non school days, our arrangement of Dylan coming to work with me in the morning and then going to the Boys and Girls Club in the afternoon works well. And the BGC goes through 8th grade. By the time that Dylan is in high school, he will be old enough to either stay home or have a job. I do realize that not all (and probably not most) families are able to take their children to work but even if Dylan is the onle one (and I know he's not), that still would negate the universally of your statements.

Chris

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

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:33am

<>


I don't see how this is a universal better, please explain.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:38am

<<But it's within your comfort level to drop kids off at a daycare for hours a day or utilize after-school care?>>


Yes, after I have carefully screened, interviewed and reviewed both the policies, people, environment and building.

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-04-1997
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 10:38am
Your post really has little to do with mine. Nobody at all said that Shari is "nasty" simply because she too has adopted this board invention, nor has anyone at all said that SHE is nasty.

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