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: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:26pm
A parent can be away from their child outside of a preschool experience though.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:28pm
Even if it were, it's not necessarily beneficial for every child.
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-14-2006
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:29pm

I disagree. Expecially when it is something that maturity may help. For some children an extra two years of maturity between can make things easier.

We don't go by that theory with other passages in our children's lives. We don't leave them home alone a 8 to make it easier for them when they are a teen. We don't send them off to high school at 12 so it will be easier when they are 14, or college at 16 to make it easier when they are 18.

I don't understand the why on this particular subject so many do think that earlier means easier.

Avatar for mkatherine
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:34pm
I got you beat! $240 a month for Liza's school -- summer day camp is $360 a month, field trips extra of course!

 

Yes. We. Did.

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2007
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:38pm
I agree. But the parent cannot provide everything a preschool does for that reason.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:38pm
Ita.
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-04-2007
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:39pm
Absolutely.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-12-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:43pm

Then perhaps you should have clarified that to avoid confusion. I don't know why you are being so defensive.

Not everything that is taught at preschool is important then.

I didn't sit in the room where my dd did her activities. I played no role in her friend selection.

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-14-2007
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 6:47pm
b/a care for ds is $150 a month, at a 2-star center. I *think* they're cheaper than the Y, who is contracted by the school to run the program at the school.
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2005
Thu, 08-30-2007 - 8:06pm
Just like you stop the bottle at a year and you start potty training at 2 or 3, the longer you wait, the harder it will be.

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