To wonder about their motivation

[Tailtwister]

As with all schools, there are various opportunities for parents to help out where DS1 attends. I do some helping and love to be around the children, seeing their interest and fascination (I think I hanker to be a teacher!). However, at a recent get together with other parents I heard some comments made about a few children (not complimentary), which I felt was really out of order. Surely what you do within the school should remain confidential? Of course you're not going to find all the children a pleasure, but that's not the point is it?

I did nearly ask why these parents helped out if they found it so trying. I did get the impression it was to suss out the competition so to speak, rather than out of genuine interest.

YANBU to wonder about their motivation. There was a woman at my DS's last school who was always in and out of the place helping, sat on all the committees, PTA etc, but seemed mostly motivated by furthering her own DD's interests and keeping tabs on the other kids. I remember similar women from when I was a kid. I think every school has one :)