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
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 11:06am

<<About the info others neglect to mention, it just amazes me what some posters intentionally omit from their posts to you. >>


Why are you so sure it's intentional?

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 11:16am

Oh just wait, you might see

PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 11:19am
He has his Masters in EE and undergraduate in Physics Engineering. So, yes he is totally an engineer. There is a government side to the company in Bethesda, but DH works in the international non-government area. His office is in DC near the Zoo. He has been there for ten years.
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 11:20am

<<my dd's horseback riding would not all of a sudden increase to 5 days a week because i could afford more of the expensive sport. it would remain as often as it is now. same wiht one soccer league for ds and one activity for dd2,too.>>


For me it would, if my children showed increased interest and talent, I would and do let them take it to the next level and yes often my salary pays for that and I am so very thankful that it is an option and we aren't bound by financial or any other reason to allow our children to explore what they love.


I agree, very much to each his own.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 11:20am

"I'll name a few. SAH is universally better because school-aged children do not need to be in after-school care awaiting the end of their parent's work day. How many years have your sons been in after-school care for?

Having a sahp is universally better too when children are in before-school care to accomodate parents' work schedules.

Tack on before and after-school care, and IMO a child is spending way too much time at school - a sahp would be universally better there too."

All those assume that before or aftercare is somehow bad.

"Having a sahp is better universally during summers when children are the at the ages when they are too old for camp and too young for a job."

There are other options, like sitters, grandparents etc.

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

There is nothing universal about daycare abuse and neglect. Abuse is bad, but the solution is not SAH, just a non-abusive situation of any kind.

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-27-1998
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 11:22am

I answered and again, I haven't challenged anyones convictions despite your accusations otherwise.


PumpkinAngel

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 11:51am
I understand that and agree that's true for many families.

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 12:39pm
I was addressing your faulty assertion that he is avoiding something in his homelife if he doesn't give a reason for being late. I was not responding to the part of the post you quoted. If you will note, you said much more than you quoted.
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-15-2006
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 12:41pm

my dd is becoming a fantstic rider because of the committment she's made to the sport not our ability to afford so many more days over another. her shows,practices determine that. much like ds' one soccer league is enough and one activity is enough for dd2,too....ymmv.

thanks for sharing once again what your income helps support. i think that's fine if it works for your family....my kids are growing up with consistent standards that aren't determined by what an additional income can or can not afford to pay.




Edited 8/29/2007 12:45 pm ET by egd3blessed

 

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 08-29-2007 - 12:51pm
The difference would be that here we are debating and in real life one is usually discussing things in a friendly manner. That would be why some wohms here have distinguished that they choose to work rather than have to work. I would hope in real life that you aren't debating your friends' choices, just have a friendly conversation.

VickiSiggy.jpg picture by mamalahk

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