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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Pick one: 
1) I missed the email in the 400 emails I got about end of year activities and events
2) I meant to, but forgot
3) I wish they didn't do snacks, and am hoping that by avoiding it for awhile the organizers eventually stop asking for this. 
4) I thought I did sign up, but I'm confusing this sign up with the sign up for a volunteer shift[/quote]

(DP) +1 to these, but also:
5) I brought in like 8 different Costco-sized snack options last semester and it can't just be my job
6) I just bought enrichment crap off the teacher's Amazon wish list for the new "module" at school
7) I'm the only parent who showed up to chaperone the field trip and it made me decide these kids need less energy, not more

[/quote]

WORD.

I am one of the few parents at our school who chaperones field trips and as a result I[b] chaperone EVERY field trip because no one else volunteers and they often need a set number of volunteers for the trip to happen. I get that not every parent has the flexibility to do that, so I'm okay with it. I also really enjoy spending time with the kids.[/b]

I also help stock classrooms with cleaning supplies, art supplies, etc. Either responding to requests from teachers or just asking when I see them "what do you need, what can I send you this month." I hate the teachers sometimes buy this stuff themselves and I also hate when I hear stuff like "we only have two working pairs of scissors in art class" so I prioritize this.

But yeah I don't care about snacks that much and my kid almost never eats them so I don't sign up for that very often. If you want to complain about it, go ahead, and I will not hold it against your kid when I'm chaperoning them on a field trip and making sure they don't leave their lunch on the bus or escorting them to the bathroom for the third time, because I'm not a bean counting ahole. You are welcome.[/quote]

You know - this may not be a great example, because it sounds like you are actually asking what is needed - but do you think it's possible that people DO have the flexibility to do it and think that it's not a great use of their time in some cases (or other cases)?

There is a mother at school who is always painting herself as the martyr and saying "it takes a village" in a context that makes it clear she is helping out MY kids and all the others given absent mothers (she doesn't mention fathers) like myself... but I have to say, there is a large part of me that feels like, "knock yourself out lady, but what you are doing isn't needed."[/quote]

For what it's worth, I have zero problem with the fact that they are volunteering, but sometimes I think it's more bout them than what they contribute - and I also am really tired of the "oh I can do it and you can't so I don't mind" attitude. Again, not directed nec at you personally, but the mindset of "I will sacrifice" and "I know you can't" ... well, there is at least one of us out there that feels like that volunteer may be making up stuff to feel needed and resents the fact that they think they are doing other parents a "favor" [/quote]

Good lord, this was triggering for some of you.

I have literally never once told another parent that I chaperone field trips and in fact I don't think most of them even know I do it because so few parents volunteer for it. It's always the same 5-6 parents for every trip.

My whole point is that someone like OP, who is looking at a sign up sheet and seeing names "missing" from it and getting on her high horse about it, doesn't even know what other parents do and don't do. I know for sure which parents never chaperone field trips because I chaperone every field trip. I have literally never thought anything of it -- I assume they have to work (like my own spouse) and that is fine. But none of these people thank me for chaperoning either. So why the heck is OP getting pissy if I don't sign up for snack duty and expecting me to fall all over myself congratulating her for sending in some packs of goldfish?[/quote]

Preach, sister![/quote]

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