Parents who volunteer for everything

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can also be a form of narcissistic behavior, not allowing a kid any breathing room and basically taking over and becoming central to their activities -- eg, they (your kid and the whole group) can't do it without you. Smother mothers and competitive mothers (moms who view their child as their competitor) love to do this. They live and walk among us. Not all, but they are definitely out there. I can spot the difference because I had a covert narc for a mother.

THANK YOU!!!!!!! Finally, someone here who can see the truth. My area has a lot of this, not just at the school, but outside of school activities as well. What impacts do you think this has on the kid later in life?

The person you quoted said it can be a form of narcissistic behavior and it's not all. My mother had a higher than average number of narcissistic traits (not full-blown NPD, but she has a really hard time separating other people's wants and emotions from what she would want and from her emotions), and the times she volunteered had nothing to do with those traits at all. Or if it did, it was merely that she only picked the things to volunteer for - or for us to be involved in at all - that were interesting to her rather than paying attention to our individuality. I don't blame her, she had her own childhood traumas that made it so.

But nor do I go around expecting every single volunteer coach my kids have to be a narcissist. Nor do I think the PTA and PTO presidents who lovingly serve my kids' schools, often behind the scenes in very unglamorous ways, are narcissists or even get much for their kids from it.

So saying this is the single sole truth probably says more about you than it does about the moms you're referring to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can also be a form of narcissistic behavior, not allowing a kid any breathing room and basically taking over and becoming central to their activities -- eg, they (your kid and the whole group) can't do it without you. Smother mothers and competitive mothers (moms who view their child as their competitor) love to do this. They live and walk among us. Not all, but they are definitely out there. I can spot the difference because I had a covert narc for a mother.

THANK YOU!!!!!!! Finally, someone here who can see the truth. My area has a lot of this, not just at the school, but outside of school activities as well. What impacts do you think this has on the kid later in life?

If you think the description above is “the truth” about any person who volunteers at their kid’s school, there is something seriously wrong with you.

\\

If you can't see what's really happening - that's on you. Or are you one of these moms? I know it's true because I've done it before, and I know a few moms who still do this. I do know that there are a few moms who actually helped out just for the sake of helping, but their help stops after a few sign-ups. The moms with questionable intent don't stop.

Uh huh. So any mom who volunteers more than once or twice is a smothering psycho narcissist, and anyone who questions that characterization is also one?

Yes, you said it correctly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

Well for school #1, sure I did some of that and in the school.

But for school #2 that banned all volunteering, all of that got done no problem, less drama, from trained people so it wasn't such a heavy lift. Well not all of it because 50% of the stuff you mention is just noise in the school, not necessary and a distraction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No, I'm grateful for these parents so I don't have to volunteer at every event.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

Well for school #1, sure I did some of that and in the school.

But for school #2 that banned all volunteering, all of that got done no problem, less drama, from trained people so it wasn't such a heavy lift. Well not all of it because 50% of the stuff you mention is just noise in the school, not necessary and a distraction.

I am the pp. I don’t do all of those things either. I can at least acknowledge what parents are doing.

I do Girl Scouts because I like spending time with my daughter. We choose and plan activities together. I would much rather write a check than sell these annoying cookies. I just don’t sell cookies. I still appreciate and thank the cookie mom.

When my boys were in cub scouts, I appreciated our den leader and the guy who cut all our boys’ pinewood derby cars.

I’m not sure why parents are complaining about volunteers. Of all the things to complain about, this should not be one of them. Some parents complained that our school had too many events. You don’t have to attend all the events. We definitely don’t. I don’t knock down the parents organizing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

Well for school #1, sure I did some of that and in the school.

But for school #2 that banned all volunteering, all of that got done no problem, less drama, from trained people so it wasn't such a heavy lift. Well not all of it because 50% of the stuff you mention is just noise in the school, not necessary and a distraction.

You were one of those parents who insisted on doing things inside the school??

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

Well for school #1, sure I did some of that and in the school.

But for school #2 that banned all volunteering, all of that got done no problem, less drama, from trained people so it wasn't such a heavy lift. Well not all of it because 50% of the stuff you mention is just noise in the school, not necessary and a distraction.

I am the pp. I don’t do all of those things either. I can at least acknowledge what parents are doing.

I do Girl Scouts because I like spending time with my daughter. We choose and plan activities together. I would much rather write a check than sell these annoying cookies. I just don’t sell cookies. I still appreciate and thank the cookie mom.

When my boys were in cub scouts, I appreciated our den leader and the guy who cut all our boys’ pinewood derby cars.

I’m not sure why parents are complaining about volunteers. Of all the things to complain about, this should not be one of them. Some parents complained that our school had too many events. You don’t have to attend all the events. We definitely don’t. I don’t knock down the parents organizing.

Yes, I don’t get it either. Why complain about someone else doing the work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

Well for school #1, sure I did some of that and in the school.

But for school #2 that banned all volunteering, all of that got done no problem, less drama, from trained people so it wasn't such a heavy lift. Well not all of it because 50% of the stuff you mention is just noise in the school, not necessary and a distraction.

You were one of those parents who insisted on doing things inside the school??

No I didn't insist. I did it and was like WTF is this crazy town scene. Then I become a treasurer. Then I moved to a school with no volunteers and it was glorious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

Well for school #1, sure I did some of that and in the school.

But for school #2 that banned all volunteering, all of that got done no problem, less drama, from trained people so it wasn't such a heavy lift. Well not all of it because 50% of the stuff you mention is just noise in the school, not necessary and a distraction.

You were one of those parents who insisted on doing things inside the school??

No I didn't insist. I did it and was like WTF is this crazy town scene. Then I become a treasurer. Then I moved to a school with no volunteers and it was glorious.

Assuming your kids also got older. These class parties are for younger grades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Okay, well, you are crazy.

But also most parent volunteering isn’t this kind of thing. It’s behind the scenes, off hours.

If there are not enough spots for parents to come to the St Patrick’s Day party or whatever they should just make more spots.

She is not crazy and it’s very true.

Most of the parenting volunteers are not behind the scenes. They’re very few jobs behind the scenes.

There’s a lot that could be behind the scenes, but parents insist on doing them inside the school like cutting things.

And no, they don’t make more spots. Why would you make more spots if it’s to help and not to be seen?

You are obviously not one of those parents who actually volunteer behind the scenes. You are not the one updating the website, collecting dues, getting spirit wear delivered to your house, the one getting Girl Scout cookies in your garage, registering for spellling bee, writing the newsletter, gathering all the info for the newsletter, making the flyer, getting the license for movie night, ordering the food, sending order forms for pizza for movie night, designing a logo for a t shirt, putting together wish lists, buying snacks for these parties and dropping off, going to Costco to buy drinks for the event, running to buy extra tape or last minute things.

Well for school #1, sure I did some of that and in the school.

But for school #2 that banned all volunteering, all of that got done no problem, less drama, from trained people so it wasn't such a heavy lift. Well not all of it because 50% of the stuff you mention is just noise in the school, not necessary and a distraction.

You were one of those parents who insisted on doing things inside the school??

No I didn't insist. I did it and was like WTF is this crazy town scene. Then I become a treasurer. Then I moved to a school with no volunteers and it was glorious.

So you think other parents “insist” but we are to believe that you didn’t. Mmm hmm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It can also be a form of narcissistic behavior, not allowing a kid any breathing room and basically taking over and becoming central to their activities -- eg, they (your kid and the whole group) can't do it without you. Smother mothers and competitive mothers (moms who view their child as their competitor) love to do this. They live and walk among us. Not all, but they are definitely out there. I can spot the difference because I had a covert narc for a mother.

THANK YOU!!!!!!! Finally, someone here who can see the truth. My area has a lot of this, not just at the school, but outside of school activities as well. What impacts do you think this has on the kid later in life?

If you think the description above is “the truth” about any person who volunteers at their kid’s school, there is something seriously wrong with you.

\\

If you can't see what's really happening - that's on you. Or are you one of these moms? I know it's true because I've done it before, and I know a few moms who still do this. I do know that there are a few moms who actually helped out just for the sake of helping, but their help stops after a few sign-ups. The moms with questionable intent don't stop.

Uh huh. So any mom who volunteers more than once or twice is a smothering psycho narcissist, and anyone who questions that characterization is also one?

Yes, you said it correctly.

If you genuinely believe this you are either breathtakingly stupid, or have some form of mental illness. Possibly both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m thankful for kids’ sports coaches if they are volunteer, or the parent that volunteers to run an after school math club, or chess club, or be the Science Olympiad leader/coach.

I’m not thankful for the “room parents” that keep distracting education with too many dumb class parties or the parties that do school carnival or whatever. I don’t need other parents to “make things fun” at school. School is for education and schools are doing a pretty bad job at it- and it isn’t because of lack of parent volunteers to throwing parties or lack of snacks in the teachers’ break room

So kids would be smarter and learn more if school was more unpleasant?

It is unhelpful. Schools is perfectly pleasant without parents fighting and clawing to get the sign up sheet first for these extras. It’s unnecessary and judging my the sheer number of posts about parents complaining about not being able “get a spot” on the sign up, it isn’t about actually helping. It’s about it being seen, feeling important, gaining affection from your kid (and maybe other peoples) and getting insider info about which teachers to request, which kids to say you don’t want yours in class with, etc. We all know how it is.

Wow. I’m so sorry for you and your children. To have that outlook on your community is truly sad.

[Anonymous]

It is so sad the posters on here who speak negatively about volunteers who get stuff done at the school.

If there are no volunteers, lots of things would not happen.

It’s usually the same parents who step up that get things done.

At my school, they are not SAHM. Lots of working moms who are just great at organization, multitasking, etc…

Teachers and admin appreciate these people because they can help with enriching activities and support at the school which gives them more time to do the important educational/ curriculum stuff.

Lastly, yes, lots of behind the scenes stuff is done by volunteers that are not glamour out and many parents don’t even realize.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I never think that. I'm so grateful to the people who step up and help out in these situations for those that have a harder time doing it for whatever reason.

+1