To expect more than 4 parents out of 20 to say "thank you"...

[GarryBaldy]

... after I've taken their DCs away for the weekend in a voluntary capacity?

I'm a Brownie leader, and have spend the weekend at a somewhat muddy camp. On returning the children to their parents the majority swept them away without a word of thanks.... oh, apart from the 1 parent who complained that we were late back...

Well, am I?

Btw, have you ever tried actually thanking some parents after a party? I always get DS to say thank you and some if them are so bloody ungracious, like they just don't understand the concept at all. Sod em.

I think children need training in receiving thanks as well as giving it-it took me ages to overcome my awkwardness on that one. They need to be able to graciously say "you're welcome" or similar without looking embarrassed. Bit like taking compliments.

I can't believe I used to take this kind of behaviour personally. Now I realise it's the norm. Sad but true. I will never sink to their level nor allow my kids to do so. Gosh a few threads on here tonight have put me in a really grumpy mood!

sheep: I think if you look back through this whole thread, it's generally very positive.

Lots of people look after other peoples children, at their own expense and risk, with little thanks and no compensation. I think that's a positive.

Let's not forget that we keep doing it, though, for all our griping. Why? Because , after all the admin crap and once you get past the "exhausted" stage - it's bloody good fun to take a group of kids abseiling/climbing/kayaking/caving/to mexico/sailing/walking... all those things that you wish you had done as a kid, or could now do as an adult.

I'm thinking of volunteering again, now, having just read that last paragraph back to myself.

Skinnyrascal, that clip is fantastic - and I agree with everything in your post!

An update from my last post - our Brownies have now finished for the Summer - for the poster who reckoned that parents would take the time to thank the leaders for camp at the next meeting.... well, I hate to disappoint you, but no comment at all about camp! Nada /nothing! And as for pick up from the last session before the hols - well yes, about 25% of the parents said thanks, have a great summer, but the remaining 75% just grabbed their DCs and off in the car..

I was thinking of giving up (not due to lack of thanks, but I do find the camps really tiring, and it's so hard to give the time needed to create a fun and inspiring programme for the Brownies whils working F/T and looking after my own family), but Skinny, your inspirational clip has made me resolve to carry on for another year at least! Thanks!

I know I'm very lucky - the majority of my parents fall over themselves to help/join in and are v appreciative. I always get presnts when they swim up/at Christmas and one brought me a pot of homemade jam at this term's last meeting :D

I always make a point of saying thank you to the Group Leader of a club. Rightly so. YANBU at all.

DD hasn't been on a Brownie camp yet, but if she does and the end is anything like the end of normal meetings, I can imagine not saying thank you at the time - there's always a queue of parents wanting to say something and I suspect Brown Owl is desperate to clear up and get home to her own kids.

Howevere, I pay subs on time, help out according to the rota, lift share for events as requested, ensure DD is in uniform and takes anything she is told to take. And DD is fully aware that the adults are volunteers as I have bent her ear on several occasions as to why an entire YEAR of Brownies costs the same as four half-hour riding lessons.

Bottle of wine for each leader when they've taken my DD on Pack Holiday.

I don't always manage to give an end-of-year present though, it sort of sneaks up on me as they finish before the end of the school term. (Mental note to get better at this.)

Swimming teachers (all volunteers) get presents too.

Just started being a Rainbow leader, and I do get thanked, usually by the same parents who are happy to help (and don't have to be chased to do so). Texts are particularly nice, as they've taken a little effort a little while after Rainbows - I was sent a few after a trip to the park.

Email is another nice way to be thanked. It's nice to feel appreciated!