Wohm moms- how involved are you at your kid's elementary school and related activities?

[Anonymous]

Our school has a sign up sheet for room parents out at the open house/sneak peek day before school starts. Any parent who visits the classroom to meet the teacher that day can sign up.

That's nice, but ours doesn't. I took off work specifically to visit the classroom and meet the teacher and there was no such sheet.

[Anonymous]

I focus on doing things that are going to get me directly involved with my kids and their classmates. So I volunteer for class parties, chaperone trips, volunteer in class when it's requested, etc. I donate money to the PTA and that's it.

Our PTA does a lot of things that are for the teachers that I don't think are necessary and I don't do any of that. (Making them a pot luck lunch on the parent-teacher conference days? No. Bring your lunch or buy your lunch like every other professional.)

[Anonymous]

I am more involved each year.

Even when I had a very restrictive work schedule, I always paid my dues, baked or donated items as requested, and attended as many PTA sponsored events (in the evenings) as possible. My husband and I switch off, so it's not just a "mom" activity.

[Anonymous]

I am a PTA member, chaperone two field trips, work two book fairs, and take DS to PTA sponsored events in the evening and classmates birthday parties on weekends. Also, my mother, who is retired, helps out twice a month in the classroom. If you have retired parents who are interested that is another great way for your family to be involved.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I do nothing. Not because I don't have time or flexibility to do it, just because I do not want to be involved.

Sad!

Not involved mom here. Why is it sad? And for whom? I think it is awesome.
I'm a high school teacher, so I see and am involved in a different side of the education world. Maybe that colors my view of necessary parental involvement. I do think that my elementary-aged kids take fabulous field trips, and I appreciate all of the chaperones... but we usually have a limit on the number and have never lacked for field trip volunteers.

[Anonymous]

I WOH full time. I am actively involved in the PTA, I have previously been room parent, I come in about 3-4 times a year for class events (e.g. kid's birthday, read to the class, science fair, art fair), and I attend school events on evenings/weekends. My husband also WOH full time and he does the same (active in the PTA, attends school events, etc.), but the main difference is instead of coming in for class events, he chaperones on field trips.

[Anonymous]

wOH full time
Class mom for he last 3 years plus PTA chair this year.
Will also volunteer at events.
Volunteer in classroom, schedule permitting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I try to do one field trip a year but don't believe in all the class parties or most of the PTA BS, so that makes my decision easy.

same. I also usually read in the classroom once a year (teacher has 1 parent reader per week). I also just started coaching my dd's soccer team- games on Saturdays.

Basically I only consider doing school things where I have direct interaction with my kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAHM here. I'm side eyeing all these responses which claim that the PTA is just an empty "excuse" to get out at night for a meeting in which nothing important is discussed.

Oh sorry then why am I volunteering in the library, art class, and computer center three times a week? Plus being the room mom for one of my kids' teachers? Because it's an empty excuse and there is no real need for the help??? If there was no need for the help, then why am I being asked to do all this stuff? They'd be able to spread it out more if more parents were involved. Come on people. Open your eyes.

I have been both a SAHM and now I WOH. I volunteer only slightly less than when I SAH. Instead of criticizing the other women, I feel we should criticize the fathers! They show a remarkable lack of participation. All the children's activities with school is usually thrown onto the mothers. Most women (SAH and WOH) are doing plenty for their families. Come on Dads, let pick up some slack!

Honestly I don't know about this. We have three kids who have been variously involved in soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. At their level, it is all parent volunteers who coach and ump and by far and away it is all fathers doing it, including the co-ed leagues for soccer. So it's not that they don't volunteer to help their kids. It's just that it's still a pretty retro breakdown (mothers in the school, fathers out on the ball field).

Who can say which is more important for kids' well being? I'd say you need both (but we are a really active family).

This. My DH coaches every single season. He coaches three sports and coaches a travel team. He spends hours upon hours working with these kids. Today, in the heat, we have two back to back flag football games and a practice. He went out to the store and bought a big canopy to keep them covered and a bunch of other things to keep them cool. He has spent time planning for the games and fielding a ton of calls, emails, and texts from the parents.

I can tell you, my boys much more value his time on the field than my time in the classroom. It's not even a contest.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAHM here. I'm side eyeing all these responses which claim that the PTA is just an empty "excuse" to get out at night for a meeting in which nothing important is discussed.

Oh sorry then why am I volunteering in the library, art class, and computer center three times a week? Plus being the room mom for one of my kids' teachers? Because it's an empty excuse and there is no real need for the help??? If there was no need for the help, then why am I being asked to do all this stuff? They'd be able to spread it out more if more parents were involved. Come on people. Open your eyes.

I have been both a SAHM and now I WOH. I volunteer only slightly less than when I SAH. Instead of criticizing the other women, I feel we should criticize the fathers! They show a remarkable lack of participation. All the children's activities with school is usually thrown onto the mothers. Most women (SAH and WOH) are doing plenty for their families. Come on Dads, let pick up some slack!

Honestly I don't know about this. We have three kids who have been variously involved in soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. At their level, it is all parent volunteers who coach and ump and by far and away it is all fathers doing it, including the co-ed leagues for soccer. So it's not that they don't volunteer to help their kids. It's just that it's still a pretty retro breakdown (mothers in the school, fathers out on the ball field).

Who can say which is more important for kids' well being? I'd say you need both (but we are a really active family).

This. My DH coaches every single season. He coaches three sports and coaches a travel team. He spends hours upon hours working with these kids. Today, in the heat, we have two back to back flag football games and a practice. He went out to the store and bought a big canopy to keep them covered and a bunch of other things to keep them cool. He has spent time planning for the games and fielding a ton of calls, emails, and texts from the parents.

I can tell you, my boys much more value his time on the field than my time in the classroom. It's not even a contest.

Good for him. However, he is not the norm. I have been class mom for 4 years now for both my girls. The volunteer list and participation is 98% moms, and Even 2% is generous. This thread perpetuates the idea that working dads are excused from being involved. Just remember...it takes a village to make it work.....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAHM here. I'm side eyeing all these responses which claim that the PTA is just an empty "excuse" to get out at night for a meeting in which nothing important is discussed.

Oh sorry then why am I volunteering in the library, art class, and computer center three times a week? Plus being the room mom for one of my kids' teachers? Because it's an empty excuse and there is no real need for the help??? If there was no need for the help, then why am I being asked to do all this stuff? They'd be able to spread it out more if more parents were involved. Come on people. Open your eyes.

I have been both a SAHM and now I WOH. I volunteer only slightly less than when I SAH. Instead of criticizing the other women, I feel we should criticize the fathers! They show a remarkable lack of participation. All the children's activities with school is usually thrown onto the mothers. Most women (SAH and WOH) are doing plenty for their families. Come on Dads, let pick up some slack!

Honestly I don't know about this. We have three kids who have been variously involved in soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. At their level, it is all parent volunteers who coach and ump and by far and away it is all fathers doing it, including the co-ed leagues for soccer. So it's not that they don't volunteer to help their kids. It's just that it's still a pretty retro breakdown (mothers in the school, fathers out on the ball field).

Who can say which is more important for kids' well being? I'd say you need both (but we are a really active family).

This. My DH coaches every single season. He coaches three sports and coaches a travel team. He spends hours upon hours working with these kids. Today, in the heat, we have two back to back flag football games and a practice. He went out to the store and bought a big canopy to keep them covered and a bunch of other things to keep them cool. He has spent time planning for the games and fielding a ton of calls, emails, and texts from the parents.

I can tell you, my boys much more value his time on the field than my time in the classroom. It's not even a contest.

Good for him. However, he is not the norm. I have been class mom for 4 years now for both my girls. The volunteer list and participation is 98% moms, and Even 2% is generous. This thread perpetuates the idea that working dads are excused from being involved. Just remember...it takes a village to make it work.....

So true! Never have I seen a room dad. It's pathetic.

[Anonymous]

My DH is the same. His work schedule is very busy and he doesn't always know what's going on in the classroom. I keep him updated on important stuff and I WOTH without a flexible schedule too. I give him credit, he is at their games and has coached the past two years. It is a lot of work and he's very involved in a different way. I don't have the knowledge or desire to coach a sport.

[Anonymous]

"Our school has a sign up sheet for room parents out at the open house/sneak peek day before school starts. Any parent who visits the classroom to meet the teacher that day can sign up."

Don't love that either since those events are held during the work day so some WOHPs may not take off for it.

Regarding complaining about the dads - I would say it is the responsibility of each kid's family to pitch in and help. If the family chooses for that to be mostly the mom that is up to them.

If you enjoy the neat evening events and book fair etc that the PTA does then volunteer to help with at least one of them. Saying you did a field trip does not really give you a pass for volunteering no time helping with events IF your family enjoys them and goes to them regularly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a PTA member, chaperone two field trips, work two book fairs, and take DS to PTA sponsored events in the evening and classmates birthday parties on weekends. Also, my mother, who is retired, helps out twice a month in the classroom. If you have retired parents who are interested that is another great way for your family to be involved.

What does this have to do with the PTA/OP's question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:SAHM here. I'm side eyeing all these responses which claim that the PTA is just an empty "excuse" to get out at night for a meeting in which nothing important is discussed.

Oh sorry then why am I volunteering in the library, art class, and computer center three times a week? Plus being the room mom for one of my kids' teachers? Because it's an empty excuse and there is no real need for the help??? If there was no need for the help, then why am I being asked to do all this stuff? They'd be able to spread it out more if more parents were involved. Come on people. Open your eyes.

I have been both a SAHM and now I WOH. I volunteer only slightly less than when I SAH. Instead of criticizing the other women, I feel we should criticize the fathers! They show a remarkable lack of participation. All the children's activities with school is usually thrown onto the mothers. Most women (SAH and WOH) are doing plenty for their families. Come on Dads, let pick up some slack!

Honestly I don't know about this. We have three kids who have been variously involved in soccer, lacrosse, and baseball. At their level, it is all parent volunteers who coach and ump and by far and away it is all fathers doing it, including the co-ed leagues for soccer. So it's not that they don't volunteer to help their kids. It's just that it's still a pretty retro breakdown (mothers in the school, fathers out on the ball field).

Who can say which is more important for kids' well being? I'd say you need both (but we are a really active family).

This. My DH coaches every single season. He coaches three sports and coaches a travel team. He spends hours upon hours working with these kids. Today, in the heat, we have two back to back flag football games and a practice. He went out to the store and bought a big canopy to keep them covered and a bunch of other things to keep them cool. He has spent time planning for the games and fielding a ton of calls, emails, and texts from the parents.

I can tell you, my boys much more value his time on the field than my time in the classroom. It's not even a contest.

Good for him. However, he is not the norm. I have been class mom for 4 years now for both my girls. The volunteer list and participation is 98% moms, and Even 2% is generous. This thread perpetuates the idea that working dads are excused from being involved. Just remember...it takes a village to make it work.....

He is the norm. The vast majority, maybe 98% of volunteers out on the fields and running the volunteer children's sports leagues are men. Not women.