Parent life at DC private schools?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents with the ginormous houses host the parties. Sometimes they are fun. Sometimes they aren’t. But always you can be guaranteed a good flamboyant display of tastelessness … which is always entertaining. Oh, eat before you go! These houses seem to have everything except good, plentiful food. Weirdest thing ever.

Says the person who would/could never host.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:FFS - make your friends on your own and not through your children. Get a life, loser mommies.

I feel like you didn't read the post, but you do you with your misplaced anger.

I feel like you didn’t notice that comment is more than a year old. The PP has moved on. You should, too.

[Anonymous]

I have not felt pressured to volunteer during work hours, but have chaperoned field trips/ done cultural presentations etc 1-2x/ year. There are various events that parents help with (teacher breakfasts, community service projects etc) but those usually require 1-2 hours max, and usually parents take turns.
There are however quite a few occasions parents are invited to such as Halloween, concerts/ other performances 3-4 times a year, and of course in-person teacher conferences 3x/ year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not sure how helpful this is but i think it illustrates general dynamic: at our big 3 prek (yes, absurd sounding sentence) nearly every single kid had one or more parents (maybe one had a nanny?) out to help with glasses for eclipse viewing - perhaps a special case event but more or less indicative of the engagement level. Positive thing in my view, but does require lots of one-off time commitments

Probably not at all helpful for OP, who posted their question a year ago.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure how helpful this is but i think it illustrates general dynamic: at our big 3 prek (yes, absurd sounding sentence) nearly every single kid had one or more parents (maybe one had a nanny?) out to help with glasses for eclipse viewing - perhaps a special case event but more or less indicative of the engagement level. Positive thing in my view, but does require lots of one-off time commitments

Probably not at all helpful for OP, who posted their question a year ago.

The vast majority of caregivers (parents, nannies, teachers) try to shield children's eyes from the sun with sunglasses during an eclipse. Do you think kids in different settings stared directly at the sun because they weren't in PreK at GDS?

[Anonymous]

[list]

Anonymous wrote:While many family have two working parents, there is a large number of SAHPs, and for a lot of families one parents job has a ton of flexibility.

At afternoon pickup, it’s mostly parents picking up, with maybe 30% nannies— that’s actually what I would recommend - go this spring to see how many parents are at pickup vs other caregivers and tour the aftercare.

At our school, the challenge if both parents work and you don’t have a nanny is that the kids are left out of after school activities that are organized by the parents in the grade (so not school activities) which are scheduled after school but during typical work hours.

Also lots of breaks/days off. Fine if you have a nanny, tough when your kids are young and you can’t take all of the days off work.

I’m sorry but this is a flat out ridiculous post.

Are you seriously suggesting that OP go stalk the carpool pickup line this spring and count how many mommies versus nannies are there? And then do what with this information?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes when your kids are young there are lots of times that parents are invited to school. Parties, volunteering, Halloween, plays, reading a book, etc.

Also know that some families have a SAH parent or lots of flexibility so you will miss out, or feel you’re missing out, on social times if you can’t get to things. That’s how many play dates and family friendships start too. But if your super important it may not matter, there are plenty of those.

When my kids were young I felt like I was at school a couple times a week for things. Older kids — you’re rarely there except for sports or concerts/plays/etc.

This exactly. There will be lots and lots of stuff. How much you do depends on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:[list]

Anonymous wrote:While many family have two working parents, there is a large number of SAHPs, and for a lot of families one parents job has a ton of flexibility.

At afternoon pickup, it’s mostly parents picking up, with maybe 30% nannies— that’s actually what I would recommend - go this spring to see how many parents are at pickup vs other caregivers and tour the aftercare.

At our school, the challenge if both parents work and you don’t have a nanny is that the kids are left out of after school activities that are organized by the parents in the grade (so not school activities) which are scheduled after school but during typical work hours.

Also lots of breaks/days off. Fine if you have a nanny, tough when your kids are young and you can’t take all of the days off work.

I’m sorry but this is a flat out ridiculous post.

Are you seriously suggesting that OP go stalk the carpool pickup line this spring and count how many mommies versus nannies are there? And then do what with this information?

I’m laughing at the idea of taking off work to go stalk the carpool line, but OP, you should know that the numbers and concepts are correct. You will be in the minority as a dual working household, especially if you do aftercare (as opposed to a nanny.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure how helpful this is but i think it illustrates general dynamic: at our big 3 prek (yes, absurd sounding sentence) nearly every single kid had one or more parents (maybe one had a nanny?) out to help with glasses for eclipse viewing - perhaps a special case event but more or less indicative of the engagement level. Positive thing in my view, but does require lots of one-off time commitments

Probably not at all helpful for OP, who posted their question a year ago.

Presumably anyone reading here is interested in the topic generally? Hence the function of a forum?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not sure how helpful this is but i think it illustrates general dynamic: at our big 3 prek (yes, absurd sounding sentence) nearly every single kid had one or more parents (maybe one had a nanny?) out to help with glasses for eclipse viewing - perhaps a special case event but more or less indicative of the engagement level. Positive thing in my view, but does require lots of one-off time commitments

Probably not at all helpful for OP, who posted their question a year ago.

The vast majority of caregivers (parents, nannies, teachers) try to shield children's eyes from the sun with sunglasses during an eclipse. Do you think kids in different settings stared directly at the sun because they weren't in PreK at GDS?

This makes sense. But since you're not indicating whether or not the same amount of turnout was the case in the public / other schools, its unclear what the implication is. Perhaps more kids stayed inside? Or was the situation identical. Please say more.

[Anonymous]

I will never stop being shocked that adults are looking for their social life at their kids’ schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will never stop being shocked that adults are looking for their social life at their kids’ schools.

NP. They want to be part of the community and that is being friendly on some level with the parents of their child's classmates. Yes it does make a huge difference on the kids experience especially in elementary years. Family events, family gatherings, family bbq, you name it it is happening. We were invited to many things. If you are not engaged with your kids' life and community then that is up to you, but I can tell you most by far are involved at these younger years especially and if you are not - your kids will feel it and it will affect them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I will never stop being shocked that adults are looking for their social life at their kids’ schools.

This sentiment is akin to saying you want your kids lives to be separate from your own. Its very atomistic and sad, tbh - symptom of our overall socio-cultural decline; i dont mean that as an attack - its a pervasive issue in the U.S. across all kinds of spaces. Go many places in the world and the attitude/framework is sort of unthinkable

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you may be surprised at the number of families with only one parent employed or the parents with no discernible employment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My child is starting at one of the so called “Big 3s” in the fall, and I’m wondering what parent life is like. I assume most children have 2 working parents with busy/time consuming jobs (as is the case with us). Are parents expected to take off frequently for school responsibilities, such as chaperoning field trips, doing school tours, etc.? Are there social parent activities? I’m just trying to figure out what to expect and how much additional time I should be expected to spend doing activities at the school. Thanks!!

Truly as much or as little as you want. I mean, it's noticeable when a parent is very highly involved or does absolutely nothing (like, doesn't attend any functions or never contributes in any way to class parties) but no one will notice if you do the minimum or medium.

No one does 'nothing' at private. They donate time or money or both... always!

Always is a pretty strong statement. I've seen plenty of parents do nothing. It's not the majority, most do get involved in one way or another, but there are definitely some who stay away and don't feel the need to donate.

THIS. It's not public school. You don't need to "advocate" for your kids like you do in public. It's in the interest of the school for your kid to succeed.