Stop bringing your younger kid on field trips

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with some PPs - this is a problem with your school and if you are so unhappy about it, then you should take action beyond complaining on DCUM. Is there a rule about this? If not, then go tell them there should be. If so, then go make them enforce it. If you don't take action to change the situation, then you should suck it up or change schools.

New to DCUM are you?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My school finally cracked down on this. No siblings in the on field trips or even in school AT ALL except for night events (minus back to school night, where no kids are allowed.)

They allow siblings outside for halloween parade but not inside for the party. So many teachers complained to the PTA and principal that we cracked down on it. Amazing how most of these moms were still able to come sans kids. We also set up a baby sitting swap for SAHM volunteers that has worked really well and has had an huge surge in community and families knowing each other.

To the mom who said she loves bringing her youngest to parties and the class "loves her" - that child is a distraction and the teacher will politely smile but loathe you on the inside.

Actually, the teacher really likes my son and was disappointed when I didn't bring him to one of the class parties. But thanks for making assumptions about her and him.

No they don't. They really don't. They are being polite. We have a party and 20+ kids to take care of. When a mom brings a younger child in, all they do is watch the child. They aren't helping. They are adding two more bodies to an already crowded room.

NP here, but how the hell would you know? You presume to speak for every teacher & child & situation? Just because you are cynical and negative doesn't mean everyone is (thank goodness). I have a toddler. I volunteer in my first grader's classroom during special days, parties, etc. Toddler is in a carrier on my back. My hands are free. I help just as much as the other parents present. The "no siblings ever" mentality is ridiculous, impractical, and a terrible way to foster community. So glad our school is welcoming of (non-dirsruptive) siblings for all sorts of special events. It seems to work out fine.

[Anonymous]

Our school (fcps) does not allow younger siblings for field trips or classroom events.

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised any schools allow it, because of potential liability.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you'll take a vacation day to chaperon so the SAHM doesn't have to bring her toddler along?

I actually do. either me of DH are chaperones for every field trip. We both work full time, but have personal days to take and use them for school volunteering. i would be pissed if someone brought her toddler to the theater/zoo/museum.

[Anonymous]

If there is no rule stated by the school, OP does not get to dictate via DCUM whether SAHMs bring their younger kids.

[Anonymous]

Something can be a bad idea even if it is not against the rules. Glad our school forbids siblings for official chaperones.

[Anonymous]

So low rent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My school finally cracked down on this. No siblings in the on field trips or even in school AT ALL except for night events (minus back to school night, where no kids are allowed.)

They allow siblings outside for halloween parade but not inside for the party. So many teachers complained to the PTA and principal that we cracked down on it. Amazing how most of these moms were still able to come sans kids. We also set up a baby sitting swap for SAHM volunteers that has worked really well and has had an huge surge in community and families knowing each other.

To the mom who said she loves bringing her youngest to parties and the class "loves her" - that child is a distraction and the teacher will politely smile but loathe you on the inside.

Actually, the teacher really likes my son and was disappointed when I didn't bring him to one of the class parties. But thanks for making assumptions about her and him.

No they don't. They really don't. They are being polite. We have a party and 20+ kids to take care of. When a mom brings a younger child in, all they do is watch the child. They aren't helping. They are adding two more bodies to an already crowded room.

NP here, but how the hell would you know? You presume to speak for every teacher & child & situation? Just because you are cynical and negative doesn't mean everyone is (thank goodness). I have a toddler. I volunteer in my first grader's classroom during special days, parties, etc. Toddler is in a carrier on my back. My hands are free. I help just as much as the other parents present. The "no siblings ever" mentality is ridiculous, impractical, and a terrible way to foster community. So glad our school is welcoming of (non-dirsruptive) siblings for all sorts of special events. It seems to work out fine.

I am a teacher and the reason most schools put this ban in place is because most kids are disruptive and it should not be on us (the teachers) to decide who stays and who goes. It makes it incredibly awkward which is why your teacher does not say anything. Whether your child is in a backpack or not, there is a liability for your child who is not covered under the student insurance umbrella plan. Please stop directing your anger towards others and try to understand where the schools are coming from. If you want to come and volunteer, it is your job to be there to volunteer for the kids. Not bring other kids to possibly make things worse. And it is not impractical. Many parents have family close-by, preschools the younger kids attend or swap with neighbors or other school parents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So you'll take a vacation day to chaperon so the SAHM doesn't have to bring her toddler along?

Yes. Of course.

+2 Actually, field trips are one thing I make a point of being involved in, and have absolutely used a vacation day to do it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My school finally cracked down on this. No siblings in the on field trips or even in school AT ALL except for night events (minus back to school night, where no kids are allowed.)

They allow siblings outside for halloween parade but not inside for the party. So many teachers complained to the PTA and principal that we cracked down on it. Amazing how most of these moms were still able to come sans kids. We also set up a baby sitting swap for SAHM volunteers that has worked really well and has had an huge surge in community and families knowing each other.

To the mom who said she loves bringing her youngest to parties and the class "loves her" - that child is a distraction and the teacher will politely smile but loathe you on the inside.

Actually, the teacher really likes my son and was disappointed when I didn't bring him to one of the class parties. But thanks for making assumptions about her and him.

No they don't. They really don't. They are being polite. We have a party and 20+ kids to take care of. When a mom brings a younger child in, all they do is watch the child. They aren't helping. They are adding two more bodies to an already crowded room.

NP here, but how the hell would you know? You presume to speak for every teacher & child & situation? Just because you are cynical and negative doesn't mean everyone is (thank goodness). I have a toddler. I volunteer in my first grader's classroom during special days, parties, etc. Toddler is in a carrier on my back. My hands are free. I help just as much as the other parents present. The "no siblings ever" mentality is ridiculous, impractical, and a terrible way to foster community. So glad our school is welcoming of (non-dirsruptive) siblings for all sorts of special events. It seems to work out fine.

I am a teacher and the reason most schools put this ban in place is because most kids are disruptive and it should not be on us (the teachers) to decide who stays and who goes. It makes it incredibly awkward which is why your teacher does not say anything. Whether your child is in a backpack or not, there is a liability for your child who is not covered under the student insurance umbrella plan. Please stop directing your anger towards others and try to understand where the schools are coming from. If you want to come and volunteer, it is your job to be there to volunteer for the kids. Not bring other kids to possibly make things worse. And it is not impractical. Many parents have family close-by, preschools the younger kids attend or swap with neighbors or other school parents.

+1, how much is someone really doing with a toddler on their back. Is that really fair to the toddler to be strapped on your back for an hour or two?

[Anonymous]

Our school does not permit younger sibs on the field trips.
And we are in a Catholic school (so there are lots of big families aka lots of younger sibs!) and it all works out fine. Parents make other arrangements. If not, they don't have to chaperone. No harm no foul.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school lets you join in and be "extra" with a sibling if the venue permits. But the official chaperones are on the bus normally and you couldn't take a sibling on board.

The "official" ones have a list of kids and the parent who joins is usually helpful or they just walk and assume responsibility for their kid.

I've never done it, because i tried to spend that time with older DD, but seriously who cares? Is it so difficult to chaperone that you need aid on various trips?

Our school will specifically state on the permission when siblings are not allowed. There are lots of venues (like the zoo) where lots of extra parents will go with their younger siblings when they are not official chaperones. Official chaperones will sit on the bus with the kids. Extras will usually drive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My school finally cracked down on this. No siblings in the on field trips or even in school AT ALL except for night events (minus back to school night, where no kids are allowed.)

They allow siblings outside for halloween parade but not inside for the party. So many teachers complained to the PTA and principal that we cracked down on it. Amazing how most of these moms were still able to come sans kids. We also set up a baby sitting swap for SAHM volunteers that has worked really well and has had an huge surge in community and families knowing each other.

To the mom who said she loves bringing her youngest to parties and the class "loves her" - that child is a distraction and the teacher will politely smile but loathe you on the inside.

Actually, the teacher really likes my son and was disappointed when I didn't bring him to one of the class parties. But thanks for making assumptions about her and him.

No they don't. They really don't. They are being polite. We have a party and 20+ kids to take care of. When a mom brings a younger child in, all they do is watch the child. They aren't helping. They are adding two more bodies to an already crowded room.

NP here, but how the hell would you know? You presume to speak for every teacher & child & situation? Just because you are cynical and negative doesn't mean everyone is (thank goodness). I have a toddler. I volunteer in my first grader's classroom during special days, parties, etc. Toddler is in a carrier on my back. My hands are free. I help just as much as the other parents present. The "no siblings ever" mentality is ridiculous, impractical, and a terrible way to foster community. So glad our school is welcoming of (non-dirsruptive) siblings for all sorts of special events. It seems to work out fine.

I am a teacher and the reason most schools put this ban in place is because most kids are disruptive and it should not be on us (the teachers) to decide who stays and who goes. It makes it incredibly awkward which is why your teacher does not say anything. Whether your child is in a backpack or not, there is a liability for your child who is not covered under the student insurance umbrella plan. Please stop directing your anger towards others and try to understand where the schools are coming from. If you want to come and volunteer, it is your job to be there to volunteer for the kids. Not bring other kids to possibly make things worse. And it is not impractical. Many parents have family close-by, preschools the younger kids attend or swap with neighbors or other school parents.

+1, how much is someone really doing with a toddler on their back. Is that really fair to the toddler to be strapped on your back for an hour or two?

Um, just as much work as anyone else since my hands are completely free. Really. Yes, it's fair. Have you ever put your kid in a stroller for an hour? I am so thankful our school is reasonable about these things. Parents bring younger sibs sometimes when they join their kids for lunch. They bring them to school performances and awards ceremonies that occur during the school day. It's not just me, and our school has no policy against it. Maybe all the teachers are silently seething & really great at faking it. But it's allowed, people do it, and I've never seen it cause problems. I am talking about volunteering at school-- not field trips.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My school finally cracked down on this. No siblings in the on field trips or even in school AT ALL except for night events (minus back to school night, where no kids are allowed.)

They allow siblings outside for halloween parade but not inside for the party. So many teachers complained to the PTA and principal that we cracked down on it. Amazing how most of these moms were still able to come sans kids. We also set up a baby sitting swap for SAHM volunteers that has worked really well and has had an huge surge in community and families knowing each other.

To the mom who said she loves bringing her youngest to parties and the class "loves her" - that child is a distraction and the teacher will politely smile but loathe you on the inside.

Actually, the teacher really likes my son and was disappointed when I didn't bring him to one of the class parties. But thanks for making assumptions about her and him.

Does your school age kid attend a private in ward 3? If so, no, the other kids don't in fact love your son. Maybe a few of the girls who are in that baby/toddler gaga stage where they can't wait until they can babysit for cash. But the rest of the kids, including my son? They're sick of your toddler always showing up at parties.