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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to post a friendly reminder about school residential trips?

416 replies

ErmNoNoNo · 27/03/2015 23:09

Seems as good a time as any: lots of school posts (as always in AIBU), the wine is flowing (Friday) and the summer term is coming up (come on weather please)...

It seems every year that there are many parents that are genuinely shocked to find out that teacher and TAs who accompany the class on residential school visits do not get paid a single penny more than their normal wage.

Yes, we volunteer. Yes, we deal with all the tears. Yes, we are on duty 24 hours and sometimes get VERY little sleep. Yes, we deal with the vomit. Yes, we encourage and make sure they get the absolute best out of their time there. Yes, we deal with all medical issues even though, surprisingly we are not qualified. Yes, when its mid-week, we also have to go back into work the next day.

Yes... we would really, really appreciate it if you just say 'thank you', when you pick your child up at he end of it.

(all you REASONABLE parents, I know you do - but honestly, the amount of parents who think we get paid for this would shock you)

OP posts:
eeniemeeniemineymo · 31/03/2015 17:08

I always say thank you, just out of courtesy. These trips are a huge amount of work to organise, 24/7 stress and they must have eyes at the back of their heads. Thirty kids on a coach for three days? I could not do it.

If the trip arrives back at school "out of hours" I take a bottle of wine for every adult who accompanied, including the driver. I do the same for any adult instructors who do clubs and take them away for weekends. Only exception was a female instructor who was expecting so she had flowers and chocolates.

Amazes me the number of parents who collect their kids, grab the case and then march off.

Whatthefucknameisntalreadytake · 31/03/2015 20:17

When I travel for work I generally get travel time on the way there/home to read, nap, catch up on emails, phonecalls or whatever. I then usually get approx 10 hours a night where I am not required to do stuff, so can read, watch tele, go for a drink with colleague or whatever. So even though I am away from home which can be inconvenient I only actually work an hour or two longer than a normal day.
I do not think this is in anyway comparable to being with a group of children 24 hours a day and looking after their every need!

rollonthesummer · 31/03/2015 20:52

Amazes me the number of parents who collect their kids, grab the case and then march off.

Or do the above, then glare at me and moan that the coach is 15 minutes late, their child's coat is grubby or that they've lost their hairband...

wherethewildthingis · 31/03/2015 21:22

I always say this on these Woe-is-us teacher threads. You want to try being a children's social worker for a few days. Why are teacher always moaning and looking for pats on the back for doing the job that they chose to do?

stoopstoconker · 31/03/2015 21:39

I do usually thank teachers for their efforts but resentment towards parents for their lack of appreciation is a bit alienating. We all have our struggles to deal with.

I'm very appreciative of teachers when I know they are doing their best for my children.

00100001 · 31/03/2015 22:50

pootles yes, you would ink that a 7+ yea old could tie their own shoelaces, get then delve dressed, brush their hair etc but sometimes they just can't. They also get homesick. Travel sick. Bored. Lost. Hungry tired and whiney.

Looking after adults on a conference is NOT the same. Yes they have this issues, but generally you don't have to make sure they've brushed their teeth, or they aren't waking you in the middle of the night because they've wet the bed.

00100001 · 31/03/2015 22:51

Think about all the day to day things you do for your 7 y/o and imagine doin that by even five kids

Philoslothy · 31/03/2015 23:33

This thread had started to turn in the favour of teachers but we only serve to alienate others by insisting that our job has to be harder than anyone else's

morethanpotatoprints · 31/03/2015 23:43

I have only read sections of the thread coz its so long.
I'm so surprised how many people find it hard to just bloody say thank you.
It's common courtesy, manners.
Don't people teach their dc to say thank you anymore?

Mehitabel6 · 01/04/2015 07:11

I agree morethanpotatoprints and am amazed the thread is still going. It is so simple, you merely do the polite thing and thank people. I can't think why you have to get to over 400 posts with people moaning that they shouldn't expect it! I can't see why it is relevant - do you withhold common politeness because someone expects it? Hmm

Pootles2010 · 01/04/2015 09:00

No 001 I know it's different, as I've said I've helped on Cub camps before so I do have some idea. I was making the point that most jobs involve a certain amount of doing your job outside of normal hours, for no extra pay.

I don't think anyone here is saying you shouldn't say thank you - just that its a bit odd to start a thread saying that you should! Lots of people go above and beyond to help others. Its obvious that you should thank them, but why start a thread saying that?

I appreciate some people might not say thank you - that's because they're knobbers. Everyone on this thread has said they would say thank you.

Most volunteers don't get appreciated enough - its shit, but its not just teachers.

whattheseithakasmean · 01/04/2015 13:35

The 400 posts are because lots of people feel they do all sorts of worthwhile things, including helping on residentials for free, & find teachers singling themselves out as the worlds greatest martyrs, yet again, tedious.

It just seems so typical that a teacher would start a thread about the need to be thanked. And then wonder why their professions is seen as the whingiest.

Philoslothy · 01/04/2015 13:54

A teacher just a teacher not all teachers. I worked, until recently, as a teacher and never claimed that I worked harder than other people, that I had it particularly tough or deserved special treatment in any way.

But I agree that the thread had attracted so many posts because it has singled out teachers as being particularly deserving of respect.

Brandysnapper · 01/04/2015 16:10

Teachers won't get sacked for not going on residentials. Many teachers don't go on them at all. I haven't been on one since I had dcs.
My point being that is not part of the basic job of being a teacher so those who do go on trips are doing something above and beyond.
It's not the same as the hours spent marking or whatever at home which I think we pretty much all do.

mom2twoteens · 01/04/2015 17:51

I think you're all brilliant.

I've been on cub and guide camps as a helper (not even an organiser) and it is hard work. Very enjoyable but hard work.

Even when all the adults go voluntarily some parents still march up and take their children without a word, some never help on a cub / guide / scout night either.

Some people are just takers, however I would say it's their loss not to get involved with what their children are involved in and not to get to know their friends.

Big cheer to all the volunteers.

Hip Hip

Mehitabel6 · 01/04/2015 18:04

I can't see why people being 'tedious' stops you from being polite!

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