Parents and school involvement
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| 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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I find your posts to be disingenuous in light of your income level. If you were to WOH, your children would have a nanny. They would do the same activities that they do with a SAHP. If your children do not care to do after-care now, they would not do it if you WOH. On the other hand, if your children wanted to go to after-care (as many kids do, because it is a fun time to play with friends), that is something they could do.
Most parents with the income to afford any childcare option choose the options that their children enjoy. In general, in upper income brackets I don't see much difference between the lives of children with SAHPs or WOHPs. They are involved in the same types of activities, and do the same kinds of things. The only thing that can be different is whether the child is doing those things with a parent or with another caregiver. And sometimes not even that -- as you pointed out in a previous post WRT your DH, people who have WOH for a while and are successful are often able to be their own boss and flex their hours to suit their lives.
it's also rude to assume that those moms who woh do so so that they don't have to spend time with their kids OR believe that dc is "raising" them.
Carole
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Ok ... but her commitment wouldn't matter ONE WHIT if you didn't have money to pay for her lessons.
Or would a stick horse in the backyard suffice?
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except that most cases of abuse & neglect are committed by PARENTS -- NOT dcps.
Carole
no. any safety issue goes through the main office. they have the ability to dial into any classroom.
Carole
Have I said that is the only reason someone would WOH?
Shari mother to
I didn't assume that I was told that the reason someone here WOH was to not have to be with the kids all day.
Shari mother to
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