DD school trip in 2 hours. Woke up to a lot of ranty msgs from another parent

[BackwardsGoing]

Who has just twigged that the kids are not allowed phones for their 2 nights 3 days away.

School has communicated this in emails, letters and F2F meetings for most of the year.

Ranty parent (RP) wants all parents to stand in solidarity against the no phone rule. This morning. While the kids are getting on the coach!

AIBU to say this is (a) bonkers (b) far too late and (c) bonkers.

BTW children are year 6 / 10-11 yo and the school has promised regular updates via Facebook.

Bonkers indeed but there's always one!

Most schools have a no phones rule - and I think they’re right. Just message back and say you’re aware of this rule and you support it.

Bonkers. Poor teachers.

Just quietly avoid them when you get there! How do they think kids coped on school trips before mobile phones?! (Or Facebook updates even) Hope DD has a fab time :)

You'll find RPs child will have their phone on them anyway tbh.

It's happened with DS1s last two residential trips. These ridiculous, overbearing parents who make their child's trip all about them, and how hard they're going to find it, and how much they'll "miss my baby".

Boak. Let your child go and have fun. If there's an emergency or your child is distressed they'll be able to call.

YANBU at all OP, bonkers is an understatement. Some people just crave attention, starve them of it I say.

Ignore. Your points a), b) and c) are all valid!

Oh and have a word with your dc to remind them that they can't take their phone EVEN IF some children/parents are trying to do so!

I have cowardly ignored. Another non-bonkers parent has messaged me this morning with a screenshot and a ????? so I don't know if she's getting much traction.

I hope she doesn't cause a scene at drop off. Some kids will be apprehensive as it is.

I'd be prepared for a scene tbh, and some overly dramatic wailing.

Just ignore.

The HT will deal with it swiftly. They'll have had experience of that sort of parent🙄

HT is brilliant. But she has form for extreme stubbornness...

DD had a trip where they were allowed to take phones but they had to take the SIM cards or so they could only use them for cameras and games not to contact parents ... then took them to a hostel with WiFi!

But yes, parent is bonkers.

I wouldn't want to be associated with such ridiculous behaviour. I would add a message saying "But what would they need a phone with them for??".

If this parent says something at drop off be mature enough to say you don't agree and you will not be playing a part in their pointless revolt.

Jeez. I’ve just had to let my 8 and 10 year olds go on a residential without phones. They aren’t even allowed to call home. We just get the odd text from school saying what they’ve been up to. It is tough admittedly but what makes me laugh is “that” parent will be the one kicking right off when phone gets broken or goes missing 🤦🏻‍♀️

That’s several kinds of crazy. Make sure your child understands your position then watch and laugh at crazy mum.

If you feel you should reply, try a simple:

Honestly, I don’t have a problem with it. The staff will contact us if there are any issues, and at this age phones cause so many problems it’s better to have a blanket ban. They’ll be back before we know it, full of stories and sweets.

Just ignore her. Hopefully when you arrive at the school she will realise she is in the minority and back down.

My DD was away last week for 5 days/4 nights and they weren't allowed phones. No one objected, and we waved them off happily. School put photos up, sent the odd text and one parent got a call when child was inconsolable but was sorted over the phone. Job done. They do not need phones with them.

I agree with Nancy - just message back along those lines. Make it clear you haven’t got a problem with the rule. Her text suggestion is very good.

Yes you could always just ignore it. No time to reply.

It is right that they should be without phones and actually good for them!

Just tell her you support the rule.

The world has moved on since i were a lad! phones are essientlial to how we live these days, if it wern't for mobile phones my DD's would not have bene able to attened the school they did go to!.

Aren't you in a bit of a flap looking for your phone. You know you had it in the house at teatime yesterday so it can't be far

Bonkers.

Chances are they will be somewhere in the middle of the countryside with no signal anyway.