Reply to RANT - I Hate the PTA

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our PTA has ever so helpfully organized teacher appreciation week into a 5 day ordeal of holly homemaker hell.  They have given us a different assignment for each day of the week - day 1, bring in 1 flower for the teacher, day 2 bring in food for a[b] 7am[/b] breakfast, day 3 have a your child make a card for the teacher, day 4 get your teacher something from a "wish list" and day 5 bring in a gift for a specialist.

I have 3 jobs, I am running on 5 hours sleep, and I don't have a nanny, housekeeper, or even a babysitter, and one of these women - the kind that hasn't worked a day in 20 years but whines constantly about how hard it is being a stay-at-home mom, asks me what I'm bringing to the breakfast, and I say NOTHING.  I am at work at 7am and don't have time, and she says - everyone is busy, you just have to make time!

What is wrong with these women?  This is one more domestic expectation that seems to be forced only on women, regardless of whether or not we work as much as men. PTA is a tool of oppression and I want to punch it in the face.  [/quote]

PTA board member here  with a crazy full time job. We are hosting a breakfast one day that we aren't asking other parents to contribute to, and delivering cupcakes another day.Rest of the week we suggested kids can bring a school supply one day, wear their teachers favorite color on one, write a note on one day and we already supplied the note card... All voluntary but if all this is a burden  then I don't know what else to say... By the way, only 3 of us have volunteered to help set up for breakfast. And only 5 helped with a recent muffins for mom event in which 160 moms apparently  didnt think it was  a burden to show up for. [/quote]

Why have all those random assignments? Do you really think the teachers care about the kids wearing the teacher's favorite color?  Another common one is a flower one day.  How about just doing what you want to, like the breakfast, and just let parents do what they see fit?  Why are you assigning adults what to send in?  I know I'll get flamed, but I am very turned off by the ridiculous assignments (e.g., cold beverage day).  I find myself resentful.  When my kids were in preschool there was one event at the end of the week and I gave generously and happily.   
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Because in my school, if the PTA doesn't initiate it, nothing will happen. These are SUGGESTIONS, not requirements. I don't get why one should feel guilty, resentful, or annoyed by the PTA at making suggestions.. We explicitly said that this is a voluntary thing and to feel free to do something else or nothing at all.This should cause zero stress. And to the parents who seem to hate the PTA, including OP-  Do you prefer that your school doesn't have a PTA?  [/quote]

People get annoyed because it's not just a suggestion.  It's badgering.  A letter home or email reminding parents about teacher appreciation is fine.  Getting a note home suggesting what to do, followed by a room mom email, followed by a PTA email, followed up by multiple "we don't have enough" emails starts to feel coercive rather than voluntary.  I'm passive aggressive so grudgingly sign up because I don't want things not to go well or for there not to be enough X for each teacher.  Zero stress would be letting me go buy my gift cards and having my kids write thank you notes without the constant emails about all the things the PTA thought up, but can't muster enough support for without constant badgering.  [/quote]

THIS.  Exactly.  I am the president of our PTA, and this is exactly what happens.  Every year a handful of women (all white, wealthy SAHMS) will come up with all these ideas for things that burden both teachers and parents, and then they simply can't be talked out of it.  I try to tell them that we don't have enough volunteer resources, or that it's the second time this month we've asked for money, but they get snippy about it or just go and do it anyway.  I thought I could change some of this, but it's pretty hopeless.  These women are unbelievably insular; they don't seem to even be aware that not everyone's life is exactly like theirs.  Nor do they care.[/quote]

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