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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Parents at Parents evening...

17 replies

RockyAddict · 17/02/2011 20:30

AIBU to think that if you're given a 10 minute slot that it's very unreasonable to take 30+ minutes to discuss your DC with the teacher?

Rahhhh! Ranting because I turned up 5 mins early and then had to leave 25 mins after my 'appointment' was due to begin as I wanted to see DS invested at Beavers tonight.

Why not make another appointment to discuss your DC if there's so much to talk about.

Wouldn't mind, but it's a 12 mile round trip to school.

AIBU???

OP posts:
Panzee · 17/02/2011 20:33

No but the teacher should have a hold on this.

I always start by asking if the parents have any questions, saves getting to the end of the appointment before the burning issues is started.

I am very good at arranging another time to talk if it's taking a while, and standing up to get them to leave. :o

rookiemater · 17/02/2011 20:34

YANBU but in this case I would blame the teacher not the parents. It's a bit like an appointment at the doctors, it is not unnatural for the patient to want to spend many minutes discussing themselves, but it is the doctors responsibility to keep to the time slots.

Panzee · 17/02/2011 20:35

Issues is? You can tell it's nearly Friday! Blush

mumbar · 17/02/2011 20:35

Oh I had parents evening tonight. Was only 10 minutes though!!

YANBU but these things happen and teachers are in an awkward position. If they turf parent out they don't care, if they talk longer others get cross - and teachers long day gets even longer.

oldraver · 17/02/2011 20:35

We have 10 minute slots and a bell rings at the end

PatriciaHolm · 17/02/2011 20:36

Problem is exacerbated by the number of people teachers need to see - if they are talking to 15 parents, they only need each one to spend a minute or so extra and they are overrunning very quickly. Add into that a loo break and the last few appts are going to be well overdue!

Firawla · 17/02/2011 20:37

no yanbu and it is the teacher's fault surely once they start taking a couple of mins over they should somehow interupt and say it looks like you have a lot to discuss so make an appointment, as we have a schedule for parents evening 10 mins each. then its not like they are telling the parent to get lost, but its very rude to just stay there for the length of 3 people's apts

TCOB · 17/02/2011 20:37

I had parent's evening tonight too. Obviously we were in and out in 10 minutes as there are only so many ways of confirming how totally fabulous DS is Wink.
YANBU BTW - I hear you!

southeastastra · 17/02/2011 20:37

we have a bell too, works well - if you need a longer discussion make a separate appointment for another time

manicbmc · 17/02/2011 20:37

I had a similar thing at the last parents' evening I went to. Had I been waiting to see a subject teacher of one of dd's potential A levels I would have hovered at the parent's shoulder until they felt guilty and moved. Grin

Panzee · 17/02/2011 20:38

A bell? It's like speed dating!

exexpat · 17/02/2011 20:39

DS's school organises it with bells as well - I think it's a bit like speed dating, the teachers are at desks around the room, you get a map of where they are and a list of times with each teacher (it's secondary, so you can make appointments with as many of the subject teachers as you like), and every five minutes a bell rings and you move round. I think they have a special computer program to coordinate it all....

Five minutes isn't very long, of course, so if you want to discuss anything in more depth, you have to make other arrangements with the teacher.

herbietea · 17/02/2011 20:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

southeastastra · 17/02/2011 20:46

i really like the bell idea Grin

when ds was at secondary it was even more disorganised and you just hovered next to the teacher you wanted to see and jumped in even if you were way too early or late for appointment.

Original poster
RockyAddict · 17/02/2011 20:46

Thank you MNers, firstly for reading my rant and then responding so sympathetically.
I shall have to see DS's teacher tomorrow - or after half term !!!!

I love the bell idea, not that I've ever speed dated (sheltered life?) but I would like to add that the 'Countdown' clock for the final 30 seconds of the appointment would really be the icing on the proverbial cake.

OP posts:
Mists · 17/02/2011 20:58

YANBU at ALL!

If you have several or complicated issues issues to discuss you should make an appointment on another day especially if your slot is one of the first ones.

I used to be a teacher and it only takes one person to do this and it fucks it right up for all concerned. That is a professional technical term that is Grin

Once shooed some selfish people out to find a queue of people including a lady in advanced labour who was determined to attend her ten minute appointment before she gave birth.

I ushered her in and rang a lift to the hospital, quickly going through her son's progress while the people waiting were all Hmm at me for letting her queue-jump!

pointydog · 17/02/2011 21:05

yanbu

But secondary parent nights are far worse.

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