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Original poster

People older than 35; did your dad go to school parent’s evenings?

438 replies

Farrings · 25/11/2025 14:14

I asked my parents to look after our daughters for an hour (they’re primary age) so DH and I could both go to parents evening.

Both kids are at the same school so it’s no bother, and we care equally about their education, so we both want to go.

My dad (born 1943) asked ‘What’s parents evening?!’ He denied any knowledge of the concept, and said he’d never been to one. He has 3 kids who were all in school in the 90’s/early 2000’s.

To be fair, I’m not sure my mum went to many either… they’re not great with supporting formal education…but I was still surprised to hear my Dad say he didn’t even know what one was!

Then I thought, was this normal for the time maybe?

if you’re over 35, please vote -

YANBU - ‘My dad didn’t go to parents evenings either, (or maybe like, one time)!’

YABU - My dad DID GO! Or a few times anyway!

(Obviously whether or not Mum’s went is a whole other question, I will have to save that for another vote)

P.S This is Just for fun! X

OP posts:
Mydogsmellslikewee · 25/11/2025 14:28

I’m 46 and yes, every single one. Then all of my secondary ones alone as my mum had died by then. He came to everything (he was born in 1936)/

ShesTheAlbatross · 25/11/2025 14:28

My dad didn’t go because he was working and my mum was not.

But I think you dad is being a bit obtuse to act like he’s literally never even heard of them.

Bananafofana · 25/11/2025 14:28

my 1949 vintage dad did. My 1976 dh doesn’t

AlexandraLeaving · 25/11/2025 14:28

My dad (B1936) went to most parents' evenings. He worked locally and by secondary school my mum was working a fair commute away so it was easier for him than her. They both tried to go, but sometimes only one made it.

Nutmuncher · 25/11/2025 14:28

Mine did parents evening but not plays or special assemblies etc because he was working during the day. Mum was a dinner lady so she was always around school.

GaslitlikeaVictorianparlour · 25/11/2025 14:27

My dad went to all of mine, from the early 1980s right through until I left school. His dad, born 1912 was really interested in his children's education as well.

purplecorkheart · 25/11/2025 14:27

My Dad born in 1950s went to my Brothers and my Mother went to my ones. Different schools.

OhRight7 · 25/11/2025 14:27

Never, not once. Didn’t think it strange either until seeing this post 🤣

DelurkingAJ · 25/11/2025 14:27

Yes, he went and was on various PTFAs along the way,

I had the opposite experience of a PP in that he turned up to my prep school in a leather jacket and jeans (uni lecturer) and I so wanted him to be suited and booted like all the other Dads. I’d recovered from that by secondary school. Mum tried but she was the one who commuted so couldn’t always be there.

katgab · 25/11/2025 14:25

My dad did, pretty much all of them. He was born in 1920 so would be 105 if still alive. Education was incredibly important to him (his was cut short by world events) and he very much wanted to know how I was getting on. I was a teacher years ago so did many parents evenings. As a parent though I don’t find them particularly useful, the reports and assessments are more useful. Maybe teachers reported differently in the 1970s/80s when I was at school.

OopOop · 25/11/2025 14:25

I’m 41 and my dad came to mine if he was in the country (he worked away a lot).
DH goes to all of our 3 children’s parent’s evenings.

MumoftwoNC · 25/11/2025 14:25

For your dad not to even know what they are is pretty bad tbf!

Katiesaidthat · 25/11/2025 14:24

Farrings · 25/11/2025 14:14

I asked my parents to look after our daughters for an hour (they’re primary age) so DH and I could both go to parents evening.

Both kids are at the same school so it’s no bother, and we care equally about their education, so we both want to go.

My dad (born 1943) asked ‘What’s parents evening?!’ He denied any knowledge of the concept, and said he’d never been to one. He has 3 kids who were all in school in the 90’s/early 2000’s.

To be fair, I’m not sure my mum went to many either… they’re not great with supporting formal education…but I was still surprised to hear my Dad say he didn’t even know what one was!

Then I thought, was this normal for the time maybe?

if you’re over 35, please vote -

YANBU - ‘My dad didn’t go to parents evenings either, (or maybe like, one time)!’

YABU - My dad DID GO! Or a few times anyway!

(Obviously whether or not Mum’s went is a whole other question, I will have to save that for another vote)

P.S This is Just for fun! X

YANBU. My dad never ever went to parent´s evening or any kind of meeting with teachers. But then, he left for work at 7.00 am and came back at 20.00, we really only saw him fully at weekends.
Oh, and born in 1934, not sure if that means anything.

MyIvyGrows · 25/11/2025 14:24

Yes. He did a lot of evening activities because my mum sometimes travelled for work or worked late, whereas he did 7-3 hours.

JG24 · 25/11/2025 14:24

My dad went to his first one in sixth form when I asked him to. I don't remember him attending any others and from his view I think he would think one parent was enough to attend (I disagree btw)

Reification · 25/11/2025 14:24

No. Editing to add - he was born at the end of WW2, independent schools.

My mum went and told us that it was so our teachers would know she was a good mother. I'm never sure whether that was a joke, but I actually don't think it was!

I don't understand why both parents go together either though - take it in turns while the other stays with the kids at home (or the siblings if it's appropriate to bring your relevant child). The only reason to both go is if you need to see two teachers simultaneously for siblings at the same school.

Genevieva · 25/11/2025 14:24

Primary: No
Y9-Y13: Yes.

Tangyfan · 25/11/2025 14:23

My Dad worked in education so was heavily invested mine. He used to take notes which I found absolutely mortifying! He only did it so he wld remember what was said and looking back now I find extremely touching. But at the time, major cringe.

MumoftwoNC · 25/11/2025 14:23

My dad was entirely absent from my whole childhood, so no he didn't go.

I've been a teacher 15y now, and it's been very normal to see both parents at patents evening (my oldest former students are now 32 years old). But I've mostly taught at independent schools if that makes a difference

MyMilchick · 25/11/2025 14:23

I actually don't know for sure but I seriously doubt it, he was a very unhelpful, uninvolved parent

Punkerplus · 25/11/2025 14:23

My dad never came, he was either looking after us or away working. My mum was a teacher anyway (at a seperate school) so our parents evening seemed more of a social event to her so she could gossip and bitch to teachers about their job!

ElfinBrokovich · 25/11/2025 14:23

yes for secondary school as they were held in the late evening. He enjoyed them as I was a straight A student, he liked going to listen to me being praised to the hills (so he told me!)

Nothing like basking in your children’s reflected glory eh?

They never stopped by to see the PE teacher though…

TwoLeggedGrooveMachine · 25/11/2025 14:23

My dad was born in 1946 and went to all parents evening unless he was away for work (army). He always wore a suit and took it seriously (embarrassed me).

Devilsmommy · 25/11/2025 14:22

I'm 39 and my dad never went to one. I always remember my aunt going along with my mom to translate because my mom is completely deaf

AwakeNowForGood · 25/11/2025 14:22

My parents were both born in 1945 and came to every parents’ evening

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