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AIBU?

School related, and more 'would I be a mentalist if...'

40 replies

OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:25

I emailed my DD's new Y7 (September) tutor to explain her family?

I guess it's not too complicated, to us. I'm resident parent, and here there is just me her and little DD2 in our teeny house.

At her Dads massive pile house (standard one night a week and every other weekend) she has two older siblings with partners and children of their own, 5 in total, dads partner and her 4 DD's, technically stepsisters I suppose. So it's fucking mental a bit busy, and a teeny bit complicated for her to explain and a black hole as far as PE kits and homework diaries go

We went to meet the tutor evening tonight and it was just me, her and her dad, and tutor asked if she was an only, and then looked baffled at the laughter and 'um, no, there are lots, erm' and there was not really time to explain, and tbh I don't think she would remember anyway as she was meeting 20 other kids. I'm not sure she even got that we weren't together as a family, though she might have Confused

So a quick email to explain? And how the hell would I word it without looking bonkers, as she has this tutor for 5 years now and I like to not look to insane initially, or not bother and just let them all get on with it?

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ChippingInWiredOnCoffee · 27/06/2013 21:29

I started thinking that it was unnecessary, however, she has the tutor for the next 5 years... it might be worth a short email along the lines of 'You asked at the tutor evening if DD was an only.....'

She did ask.

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:33

I wasn't going to say anything about the chaos, was just going to do bare bones kind of family tree. But I still think I may look crazy... BUT, I want to make life as easy for DD as poss. Hmm.

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:35

Maybe just suggest they have lots of paper on hand for family tree drawing when it happens Grin

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buildingmycorestrength · 27/06/2013 21:35

Well, it matters, doesn't it? No harm in explaining. Surely a good tutor would appreciate a little background info. They can tune it out if they think it is not relevant.

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OwlinaTree · 27/06/2013 21:37

You WBR to mention the fact there are two families. I don't think you need to go into the ins and outs of that. Just say there are two homes, can we have two sets of reports etc. Your daughter can explain the rest if she wants to. There will be lots of different family set ups, don't worry about it.

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:39

oh, Owlina that's great, I hadn't thought of that, and will definitely ask for two reports and things, thank you!

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AmyFarrahFowlerCooper · 27/06/2013 21:39

Hmm, would it not just be enough to say she has a big family when it comes up again? I'd leave it for now until it comes up naturally again as come across as a bit of an odd email to the teacher.

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soverylucky · 27/06/2013 21:40

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:42

I agree it sounds a bit odd, but these are the people DD lives with, so will all have influence on her next 5 years too. I think maybe saying we are 2 families and therefore need two reports will cover it though. Maybe the detail of all the people would be too much and unnecessary.

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youarewinning · 27/06/2013 21:43

I'm with chipping. Especially as when it gets to parent/carer/guardian signing here bit there's effectively 7 adults who could sign it! It would be easier for DD's tutor to be aware than start accusing her of forging signitures etc. If it's just a homework planner then in her dads house it sounds like it's easier to get any adult to do it than search out just the one Grin

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:43

but then not many 11yo have BIL and SIL and DNephs and nieces in the same house.

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:44

Yes... at primary school we have and extra sheet for who can pick up...

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sugarandspite · 27/06/2013 21:47

What about an email saying ' just in case we weren't properly clear at the meeting, DD has two homes. I am primary carer and and she lives with myself and her sister XX. She spends generally every other weekend at her father's house where she also has 2 older siblings and their families and her stepmother and her 4 stepsisters.'

So you've given her an outline but not too much detail?

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mnistooaddictive · 27/06/2013 21:48

As someone who has been a Y7 tutor many, many times I would say send the email. This kind of information is always useful as it will always come up at some point and it may help the tutor to avoid putting her foot in it!
Just write that you thought it might be helpful for her to know the following information in case it was relevant to something they are doing! Include names if you can and the titles she uses. I like to be in a position that if a child starts talking about 'Stephen' I can say "oh yes, Stephen is your Mums husband isn't he?" Etc. And for some students they would say Mums husband and not StepDad and this is important to know!

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youarewinning · 27/06/2013 21:53

Good post addictive I always leave fathers details blank on forms. In additional info write his fathers name and his wifes name, explain they live abroad and DS doesn't see them and has limited phone contact. I also explain its due to his fathers life choice and not a court order.
I don't see the value in filling in father contact details for in an emergency when he's 2000 miles away!

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LynetteScavo · 27/06/2013 21:55

Definitely send the email.

But remember having an "interesting" home life is no excuse for not having your PE kit in school on a Monday morning.

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xylem8 · 27/06/2013 21:55

I wouldn't bother, there are only 3 weeks left and then presumably she'll have a new form tutor, besides you have told him there are lots of sibs, I don't think he needs a family tree.
Your DC needs to have a system for making sure she knows where her PE kit etc is.

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:56

Smile thank you all and thank you mnistooaddictive (it really is, isn't it?) I'm glad I was not being too obsessive and PFB about my PFB Grin

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Cravey · 27/06/2013 21:56

As someone who tutors privately I would welcome all the detail re family life etc. it all helps IMO and its always good to have a heads up on family situations. It may save the tutor putting a foot in it or help out if child has issues re homework etc.

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Cravey · 27/06/2013 21:57

Oh and well done for being so balance about it all. I see so may parents who hate each other that this post is rather refreshing.

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 21:59

The PE kit is the bane of my bloody life.

She always has one. In the right sizes and sex from my house, slightly random from dad's... I've now got the housekeepers email and will be telling her exactly what DD needs on what days but I don't hold out much hope and she will have a rugby top on cricket day in 4 sizes too big no matter what I send

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 22:00

Cravey oh no, we absolutely despise each other. Just no one else can tell Grin

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Cravey · 27/06/2013 22:01

Haha tiger that made me lol. Well done though your child is going to be pretty well balanced I would imagine.

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 22:14

I live in hope

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OhTiger · 27/06/2013 22:18

and if anyone would like to suggest a PE kit system, I'm all ears.

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