AIBU?
AIBU to be mildly annoyed by school and new library book policy
havingamadmoment · 26/04/2013 12:33
DD is in nursery the nursery is attached to the same school my older children go to. When they were at the nursery they used to bring a library book home each week with them but for some reason they have changed this so that the parents have to go in once a week to change the book with child. I work 2 days a week and dd goes to nursery 2 full days and doesnt go the other three. I rush the children in and rush back to the bus stop if I am a even 5/10 minutes getting the book I will miss the bus and although ok once in a while I cant do it every week.
So instead of that now I have to take her in on one of the days she isnt normally there. DH normally takes the older two in on this day on his way to work then goes straight to work on the bus, he wouldnt have time to bring her home again so I have to take the three younger children (4,2 and 1) out just to go and get this sodding book - its a 2 mile walk so its not just nipping around the corner. When I get there I have to leave the pram outside (no prams in the school building) carry the youngest and drag the 2 year old (who wants to play with all the nursery toys!) while picking a book for the 4 year old.
I know its not world shattering but it IS a stupid policy isnt it? surely its difficult for lots of people?
AIBU?
LadyintheRadiator · 26/04/2013 12:42
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HazeltheMcWitch · 26/04/2013 12:42
Have you told them it's an issue? If not, do - there may be an easy workaround.
If not - yes, they are being unreasonable! And if so - could you just NOT get a book, and say that you'll do other reading activities (books you own, local library etc), at a time/place that works better for you?
JeanPaget · 26/04/2013 12:43
No of course you're not bring unreasonable. What about parents who work full time or single parents?
Possibly working-mother's guilt, but I really hate policies like this that make me feel like a bad mother because I can't pop into the school at a moment's notice in the middle of the day 
redskyatnight · 26/04/2013 12:43
DD's old nursery had this policy too. It's to encourage you to spend time choosing a book with your child that they will enjoy (and avoid no doubt the perpetual complaints that child came home with dull/uninteresting book).
I'd suggest
- explaining situation to member of staff and asking if they can change book with your child
2. (depending on age of older children) can DD change book with one of her older siblings
3. Can't you change the book when you pick her up?
4. Explain to staff that it's impractical for you to come in and go to public library instead.
Justforlaughs · 26/04/2013 12:46
Just explain to the school that it isn't convenient for you. They probably haven't thought it through properly. I'm sure they will be more than happy to accomodate you and if they don't then just use the local library instead. They can hardly force you to stay late to change her book.
havingamadmoment · 26/04/2013 12:47
I did tell them it was awkward for the above reasons but tbh I feel a bit shit about saying I wont do it - I dont want to look as though I just dont care and when I said about the issues with doing it she made me feel like I was being unreasonable to not want to go on the friday. Which is why I asked here I cant decide if I am making a fuss about nothing!
CloudsAndTrees · 26/04/2013 12:56
If you really want your child to have a library book, then I think you have to go by the policy. I don't suppose it's compulsory that she has a library book though, so just say you don't want one if you don't want to do it on one of your days off.
Would you be able to get there any earlier on the day you work so that you have time?
Or would your dd be able to have a look at what book she might want on the day before you go in so that changing the book over is a quick process?
DumSpiroSpero · 26/04/2013 12:57
Our primary school is very heavily into getting parents involved and engaged with their children's learning - I think it's to 'gee up' the parents who cba to some extent (we have to sign in when attending school events and if you miss 2 in a row you get a phonecall from the head!).
If you've explained the situation, then they should be understanding given your circumstances. Could you say you'll have a chat with your DD each week and put a note in with some some books she'd like to try so they can send one home? Convenient for you and demonstrates that you're engaging with her literacy learning = win:win.
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