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Education

Own up then - how many of you would have a sneaky peak at another child's school contact book on a play date?

48 replies

sandyballs · 10/05/2006 12:32

My dd went to a friend's house for tea after school yesterday and I arrived a bit early to pick her up. As I was walking up the drive I could see the mother rummaging through a school bag in her porch and as I got nearer I could see it belonged to my DD and she was flicking through her school contact book. I'm not bothered at all, just curious as to why she would be interested. She saw me and jumped out of her skin, dropped the book like a hot potato .

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Next · 10/05/2006 12:33

What is a contact book?

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zippitippitoes · 10/05/2006 12:34

I would consider it private

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sandyballs · 10/05/2006 12:35

Sorry, I presumed every school was similar. It's just a little book that teachers and parents can write in regarding homework, behaviour etc, to keep a link between home and school.

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Marina · 10/05/2006 12:37

I wouldn't do it myself and would be pretty cross with someone who did. They are private documents

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Miriam2 · 10/05/2006 12:39

It's being nosy isn't it, like reading someone's diary except infinitely more boring! No-one would ever write anything remotely personal in a contact book surely? Does it give details of homework/ marks? Maybe that's what she was nosying about...or maybe she's just damn nosy!!!

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wanderingstar · 10/05/2006 12:40

Nosy cow ! A bit like the mothers who ask their kids "Darling what colour books is Harriet on ?", or worse, rummage in Harriet's folder when she comes to play..

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overdraft · 10/05/2006 12:41

maybe she is concerned about her child and was interested at how others get on but was afraid to ask.

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noddyholder · 10/05/2006 12:42

When ds was at primary one of the mums who used to help out in the class used to recount what 'brands'they had in their lunch boxes.Nosey IMO and it is private

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RTKangaMummy · 10/05/2006 12:43

What did you say to her when you went in or did she pretend she hadn't looked?

I agree she is a nosey * but it is funny that you caught her red handed

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Marina · 10/05/2006 12:44

At our school the Contact Book is actually FOR the personal stuff and you wouldn't get much feedback about marks and things in it. I'm quite happy to discuss academic stuff with other parents and do, but not the stuff in the Contact Book.
Surely you ask the teacher if you are concerned about your child's progress rather than rifle through a guest's personal belongings?

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marthamoo · 10/05/2006 12:45

How embarrassing for her to be caught in the act

I would hope I wouldn't look - I don't think I would, but as ds1's school doesn't have them I've never been faced with that temptation.

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sandyballs · 10/05/2006 12:46

She didn't refer to it, even though it was obvious I had seen her. She just opened the door looking a bit flushed and embarrassed and invited me in . Maybe I should have said something. There is a bit of competition between some of the mum's at the school regarding the level of reading books so maybe she was checking that. Could have just looked at the reading book though, not read the whole contact book. I'm tempted to put something outrageous in there next time!

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Marina · 10/05/2006 12:47

We have a separate reading record book I would not be so bothered about.

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overdraft · 10/05/2006 12:48

just saying she may be a litle bit competitve and the teacher isn't gonna tell the mum how she is doing compared to her friends.Not right I know though

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blueshoes · 10/05/2006 12:49

Finger in the cookie jar! If she was interested in your dd's progress, she should just ask you. The fact she was rifling meant she is a nosy competitive mum. Next time, put a note in it for her inviting her to get back to you if she has any questions.

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Blackduck · 10/05/2006 12:51

If I had the bottle (which I don't)....I'd have got it out and said 'Here, would you like to read it at your leisure...'

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Greensleeves · 10/05/2006 12:51

I wouldn't do it myself - not interested in other people's children at that level, although I do like them:). I would find it bloody hilarious if I caught someone red-handed like that though

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Next · 10/05/2006 12:52

Oh, yes a progress book!

How nosey is that?!? Perhaps she feels that her child is behind a bit.

Still a cheek though.

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shelooksonhere · 10/05/2006 12:58

We only have a reading log but teachers do put other stuff in it sometimes.I always write a seperate note now.One of the parents who is also a friend listens to the children in our sons class read and has acsess to all the reading logs.Not right I don't think.Her son is a brain box as it were and I know it makes her feel better knowing that her son is streets ahead of every one else.School also gave her a list and told her that children on it had parents who didn't read with them and were behind.My son was on the list and I do listen.He has dyslexia FFS.Not on and she will tell people who she listens to

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shelooksonhere · 10/05/2006 13:00

had to change name because I told her about this site a couple of years ago and I wouldn't be suprised if she was reading my posts

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sandyballs · 10/05/2006 13:02

Blimey, that is out of order

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coppertop · 10/05/2006 13:03

Presumably the woman in the OP would have been happy for Sandyballs' dd to rummage through her bag.... Nosy woman!

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mrsdil · 10/05/2006 13:04

I always leave bags etc in the car when having a child over as i always drop them back home again.

It has never crossed my mind to look although i do ask my son what level other kids are on with reading books etc...he is a very good reader and being held back with the books so i have asked him if anyone is on a higher level to see if it was the case for the whole class.

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singersgirl · 10/05/2006 13:05

Anyone who listens to children read at the DSs' school gets access to the childen's reading records, and of course gets to hear them read, so if you are really nosey (like me!) helping in the classroom is great.

Seriously, though, I like helping in the classroom because it gives you a much better idea of what goes on at school, and you get to meet all the children and see how they progress, which is wonderful.

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spidermama · 10/05/2006 13:07

Oh come on. Surely you'd be interrested? After all, the details about what colour books your child is on and how they're fairing in other ways is pretty useless information out of context.

I agree it is very nosey and a little intrusive but surely understandable on so many levels.

Perhaps she's a little worried about her child's progress, or maybe she thinks your dd is extra bright and finds herself wondering how that translates, hoping to pick up some tips.

If I were her I'd have had to laugh at being caught and apologise and talk about it. How embarrassing for her.