Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

In thinking WTF about the PTA reserving the front row seats at the nativity

244 replies

TrollopDollop · 07/12/2011 23:08

I saw it with my own eyes on monday at DS reception nativity. Why? I am not seeing the link between being in the PTA and getting a monopoly on the front row seats. One of them actually asked people to move before placing 'reserved for PTA' signs on the chairs.

OP posts:
MabelOranje · 08/12/2011 18:04

"There are some particularly unpleasant characters on this thread".

Indeed there are, Doris, but that's PTA members for you.

BeerTricksPotter · 08/12/2011 18:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Insomnia11 · 08/12/2011 18:34

I'm on the PTA but the only people who get reserved front seats are the leavers parents in the nursery nativity as leavers get the speaking parts, no reserved seats in the school one. YANBU!

BiancaStroud · 09/12/2011 07:13

i can't quite believe how strongly people feel about this. Attending primary school events is fine because I get to see my own little darling and have a proud moment but apart from that my main priority is to sit as close to the exit as possible and avoid having to speak to the PTA and Boden mums because I have a life. I know you will think I am a bitch but I think I am not the only person who feels like this.

lockets · 09/12/2011 16:43

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

FFSEnid · 09/12/2011 17:51

You refuse to speak to people because you have a life? Thats not the sort of life I want.

BiancaStroud · 09/12/2011 18:39

I didn't say I refuse to speak to people but I am not hugely interested in those people, not to the point of being interested where people sit at a child's nativity play in a school hall.

BeerGrinchPotter · 09/12/2011 18:44

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

newgirl · 09/12/2011 19:36

Goodness bianca these people are individuals not a mass. I help at fairs and there are some people on PTA that not my cup of tea but most are very pleasant, have jobs etc

Sillyoldelf · 09/12/2011 19:59

Mabel I do feel sorry for you. You seem very bitter critical and judgmental . Don't bother replying with one of your quips - I won't be coming back to this unpleasant thread . I can only think you must have some issues with life in general . Anyway I won't be around to read anymore of your unpleasantness or disrespectful comments .

40notTrendy · 09/12/2011 20:07

Can't decide if you bu or not. As a fellow parent I'm naffed off about it as I'd live a front row seat. However, our PTA is a small, v dedicated group that organise a massive summer and Christmas fair that takes loads of time and effort. It raises loads for the school, so even if they hadn't helped with Christmas shows, I think it's a nice way to say thank you. Hmmm, yab v slightly u! Smile

CocktailQueen · 09/12/2011 20:08

In our school parents who help to get the children ready, do refreshments, children's make up etc for any of the school shows get front row seats reserved for them. And so they should!! Can't imagine seats would be reserved purely for PTA members who had not helped out. Why not query it at your next PTA meeting?? :)

MabelOranje · 09/12/2011 20:49

Crikey sillyoldelf what's with all these personal attacks? I've said the PTA get on my wick, that's all Hmm and I'm subjected to your amateurish psychoanalysis!

bbcessex · 09/12/2011 21:10

PTA members should get as many perks as they can, in my opinion. All our children benefit from their efforts.

If you want those perks, join the PTA.. I'm sure they'd be delighted to have you.

BendyBob · 09/12/2011 21:34

So there are perks to being on the pta.

And I thought it was all slog and no recognition (according to so many aggrieved pta-ers I read on here)

You can't have your home made cake and eat itWink

Nikkid21 · 09/12/2011 21:48

So how do you all feel about governors getting reserved front row seats?
We get them even though only 2 of the 9 reserved seats were used by parent governors that had children appearing. Rest are local authority or community governors.

MabelOranje · 10/12/2011 00:31

Wouldn't bother me if a seat was reserved because I prefer to stand at the back. That way I can watch PFB do her bit and then sneak off and not have to endure years 3, 4, 5 & 6.

lockets · 10/12/2011 08:31

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BiancaStroud · 10/12/2011 09:49

I'm sorry, I am not trying to belittle people who are so involved in their childrens lives but this is a parenting forum and at the end of the day not all parents agree with the aggressive parenting model so oftenaccepted as the normon MN. Iam not trying to stir things any more than mabel is, there are plenty of us whose interest in pta, nativity plays, reading levels etc etc is minimal. A loving and happy family unit with kids who achieve both inand out of school is more than just what schoolthey go to or how much you put into it

sozzledchops · 10/12/2011 10:09

My mum was one of those parents who had no interesting the nativity plays, reading levels, sneaking out, arriving late, parents nights a bore and a chore. My sister and I remember it well, even after all these years.

MabelOranje · 10/12/2011 17:03

Think you're on the wrong thread sozzled, this one is about PTA nabbing the best seats in the house, not reading levels, parents' nights.

BeerGrinchPotter · 10/12/2011 17:52

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

alistron1 · 10/12/2011 18:07

At my DS2's primary we are all automatically members of the PTA. I have helped at events and school trips and done literacy volunteering - small beer compared to the group of parents who organise events/raise money and provide all sorts of equipment/opportunities for the kids.

If they get front row seats at events then good for bloody them. They have earned it.

lockets · 10/12/2011 18:19

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

sozzledchops · 10/12/2011 19:21

Lockets - Wasn't ideal but my mum was great in other ways and of course did love us, just not that maternal and interested. We loved her very much.

I just think it's sad for some posters to sneer at women who are involved in their kids and help at the school for everyone's benefit and sees it as being cool to keep all that stuff like 'nativity' etc to a minimum unlike the other saddos.