Teachers I need solidarity before I leave the profession

It's not quite the same as a nativity is it though? Everyone has some part to play in the nativity and not everyone wants to play Mary most kids are happy with a reading or just a singing part not every kid wants a starring role. What you arranged was an activity that very few children could attend but you knew would be popular? Names in a hat is just a crap way of doing it as most kids (and obviously their parents!) think it's a bit of a rubbish system. Surely a baking competition would have been more appropriate?
I'm Not saying what the parents have done is right - it's batshit - but you've caused the issue here yourself.

I think parent WhatsApp groups are exacerbating the issue. When mine were at primary it was FB used just for info, reminders & photos.

I think it's got worse since people got email access on their phones.

Maybe they could take the kids somewhere themselves?

As a parent to be honest I'd wonder why you would offer such an experience when only 5 out of 30 kids had a chance to go? The overwhelming majority of pupils are going to miss out and be disappointed and surely that's not the aim of it? I hate the whole "name out of hats" way of doing a draw - maybe because I've never won anything that way either 😂

Solidarity OP. Am leaving this summer after 25 years. Hoping to get into retail!
I was in the staff room forum yesterday and a parent even had the nerve to give their 2 cents worth in there.
I wish I could LOL out some of the batshit crazy complaints!
Shame, because if I say so myself, I’m a good teacher. I get on with the pupils and get good results.
No one will want to do this job soon…

I think teaching can be summed up by the fact that nothing you do is ever enough. You can give it everything you have emotionally, intellectually and physically, but it’s not enough for the kids, it’s not enough for their parents, it’s not enough for SLT and it’s not enough for Ofsted. And it just turns into one big drudge really.

We know how these kids are turning out, you only have to read the other boards about young adults, not working, expecting to live rent free and do sod all about the house. Then it's all 'oh but their brains are not fully formed until they are 25'

I don't know how teachers can stand it.

It's just a sign of the selfish society we are living in these days. The constant "it's not fair" about anything and everything in life. Nobody gives a shit about the good of others anymore and it's all about them and their true/authentic/real self.

Not teaching but went to a children's judo competition at the weekend

Was watching a match being refereed by a 14 year old and one lad lost. His dad lost his mind, called the junior ref a racist and went off on one for about 20 mins. The kid was fine about it. These were children about 9 years old. Saw him in the hall putting in an official complaint. Absolutely insane- especially as everyone else was looking perplexed as he did actually lose and we all agreed with the refs decision.

Hate entitled parents

One of our pupils went shoplifting whilst on a school trip.

The parents applied for a place for him on a school trip abroad. HoD declined, given the previous behaviour.

The parents complained. HT told the HoD that he had to include the thief.

On the ferry to the Continent, the kid was caught shoplifting.

I'd love to give some stories, this week alone I could give a handful of ridiculous requests or complete minimising of awful behaviour, but i worry they are too identifiable.
I work in a great school, in a lovely area. The increasing self-centredness of parents, and absolute refusal to accept or tackle any issues with their children is shocking, and increasing every year.
It does genuinely concern me.
It is still a minority parents, but a growing minority and it takes up so much time.
What worries me is there is a real recruitment issue, and no one in poweris accepting that this is a major part of it, so coming up with solutions around to help.

I’m now retired - theoretically I’m on the LA supply list, however.

When I was a middle manager, I spent a great deal of time dealing with entitled parents and I see middle managers in schools where I’ve worked as supply dealing with the same.

"...GDPR and Keeping Children Safe in Education..."

That ought to do it. 👌

I get it. Solidarity from one teacher to another.

The only time you ever hear from parents is when they want to criticise. All of the stuff you do for their kids out of the kindness of your heart, giving up your free time to do so - as well as often spending your own money - goes completely unacknowledged. It's incredibly discouraging.

I do loads at my school, Trips, competitions, festivals, school productions, you name it. Never has a parent emailed to say thank you, despite the hours of weekend and evening time this takes up, and that I don't get paid for.

However, if a child doesn't like the part they got given in the school play, or the coach from the trip gets stuck in traffic and we're ten minutes late back to school, or their child's work didn't get chosen to go in the art exhibition, I'll hear about it, and some. Every fucking time.

I just don't reply to those emails now. I delete them on receipt. I don't give them any headspace or energy. I choose to focus on the fact I'm not doing what I'm doing for the parents - I'm doing it for their kids. And they do say thank you, at least.

But tonight, you are entitled to feel fed up and ready to chuck in the towel. You organised a wonderful event and the kids who attend will love it. Have a glass of wine, bash out the email response you really want to send to the parent, delete it, then delete the parent's asinine email, and forget all about it.

Teaching can be bloody thankless but it's also the best job in the world, really. I say this as someone who's done many other jobs - teaching offers a satisfaction and purpose like nothing else if you're in the right school. And there are thoughtless, selfish people everywhere I'm afraid - leaving teaching won't free you of them!

They are now. I've been teaching for over thirty years and the level of entitlement has become ridiculous from some parents. There are many lovely folk but those that think the school exists only for their child really grind you down. It's exhausting.

have Two parental complaints demanding to see photos of the slips and why didn't I video the draw and provide evidence.

^

One word

No

Parents wonder why kids don't go on so many school trips these days. Honestly they are not worth the bother of organising because there's always some sort of batshittery like this.

This is why I left teaching, the long hours with management continually on your back to batshit parents who believe their little precious can do no wrong.

Imagine what this generation of children are going to be like as parents! The absolute entitlement and selfishness of people is unbelievable. You have my sympathy.

Dear parent
thank you for volunteering to run a school trip
the owner of the bakery is expecting you at
6 am next Saturday
many thanks