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: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:10pm
Didn't realize she was homeschooling.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:10pm
Many children don't go to preschool and adjust just fine.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:11pm
I think she did not realize that you homeschool her for kindergarten so it is not the same as she going into a classroom everyday.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:12pm
She knows that I homeschool, but that doesn't negate the point that preschool isn't always necessary.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:12pm
I understand that but I still think it is beneficial for children to go to preschool, especially if they will be going to a classroom sitution everyday.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:13pm
I think since she is not going into a classroom everyday, then it is different.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:15pm
Very true. My oldest dd who attends public highschool adjusted just fine after homeschooling all her previous years. By the logic expressed here, she shouldn't know how to get in line or get to the lunchroom...;-)
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-2007
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:16pm
i think that is an important aspect of preschool, and most people i know who use preschool feel that way as well - the ability to meet with the same group of kids, in larger numbers than a normal playgroup set up by moms, on a regularly scheduled basis, several times a week for longer than an hour, without mom present. i guess i dont know of anyone who has there 4 year old in any activity that meets 2-3 times a week for 2-3 hours at a time, but evidently there are. i guess i do wonder what the activity would be.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:16pm
If you add the word some, I would agree(as in some children).
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 5:17pm
What do you mean?

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