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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that 6pm on a weekday is an anti-social time for a meeting?

41 replies

Sadik · 04/11/2015 15:21

Genuine question - is it just an awkward time for me (just in from work, need to make dinner, etc) or would others find it tricky.

There was a bit of 'why don't younger people (read, not retired) get involved', my feeling is that the habit which seems common in our small town of arranging meetings at 6pm doesn't help. But is that just me?

OP posts:
cardibach · 04/11/2015 15:24

Well, a meeting in the day wouldn't help, would it? I'd prefer 6 (go on way home) to 8 (have to go home then turn out again later). I guess small children might complicate that if I had any.

Enjolrass · 04/11/2015 15:24

Don't know. My hobby takes place twice a week at 6-7pm

It's suits me. The kids do the same hobby 4-5pm on different days.

It really depends on what it is, who it's aimed at and everyone's personal schedules.

It will suit some but not all. But no time will suit all people.

MaxPepsi · 04/11/2015 15:28

Depends on what the meeting is for I suppose.

DH is on the committee of a local club. His meetings are at 8.30 which suit me as I can get tea sorted and out of the way then relax whilst he's out.

However - they are wanting me to join the committee also and I'm seriously put off by that time. I would prefer an earlier slot, straight after work so I can get it done and get home rather than go home and go back out again!

Imogentlasting · 04/11/2015 15:30

I do think a 6pm starting time is going to exclude a lot of people who work full time, so if they're after younger members they need to look at that. Maybe say it to the organisers, if you want to get involved.

Original poster
Sadik · 04/11/2015 15:31

Interesting, sounds like it is just me. I guess I'd have thought either later - say 8 or 8.30 after dinner /bedtime for small children, or accept that you're only going to get SAHP or self employed people and go for the daytime.

It's a committee re. a town facility, I am quite literally the only person under 65 who has got involved at all.

OP posts:
Original poster
Sadik · 04/11/2015 15:32

I did suggest a later time, btw, but only halfheartedly as I wasn't sure if it was just me.

OP posts:
Enjolrass · 04/11/2015 15:35

Quite a few people attend our hobby straight from work. They like the time as well.

Going home and going out at 8pm doesn't appeal to me and others.

Must be a personal thing spending on work and what's going on at home.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 04/11/2015 15:40

I'd prefer 6pm to 8pm - you can just nudge dinner back and go straight from work. You're more likely to get people to actually attend then, the drop-out rate if people go home first is quite high.

That said, sometimes I'm not even back at 6pm, it's still prime commuting time.

Junosmum · 04/11/2015 15:44

DH wouldn't be able to make 6pm, as he isn't home from work by then, in fact he is usually leaving at 6, however 6 would be good for me, time to go home, get changed etc.

ExitPursuedByABear · 04/11/2015 15:46

Personally I would prefer 6 or 6.30, but every thing I have ever been involved with usually starts at 7.30 except the Quiz league which was 9pm and far too late imo.

Original poster
Sadik · 04/11/2015 15:50

Now 7.30 would suit me nicely, and 9pm even better as then it's post any of dd's hobbies, so doesn't matter if DH is busy elsewhere.

OP posts:
eastwest · 04/11/2015 15:50

It's so tricky. I find 6,7, 8 pm difficult becayse that's all around DS's supper and bedtime. Certainly, younger people find it harder to get involved because they are working/ have family commitments.

Seeline · 04/11/2015 15:51

I hate 6/6.30 meetings. It's just when I am trying to feed kids, supervise homework or get them to/from their activities. Dh is not home in time to help out at that time either.
I prefer 8pm, but I don't go out to work, and my kids are older (secondary). Horses for courses I suppose. I think meetings are a bit different to hobbies as well btw - not necessarily something you do for you which makes any difficulties a little more difficult!

LikeASoulWithoutAMind · 04/11/2015 15:51

Ime no time suits everyone.

PassiveAgressiveQueen · 04/11/2015 15:54

I get home from work at 6:30

TheOriginalMerylStrop · 04/11/2015 15:57

I agree OP

A couple of local groups I am involved in always schedule meetings for 6pm and then moan about the lack of turn out from "the young". 6pm is a terrible time for people like me with younger kids AND work. I'm either feeding and sorting the kids/picking them up from after school club/ or still working. 7.30 I could manage, if DH was home. Or weekend mornings, or even 9am sometimes.

Gladysandtheflathamsandwich · 04/11/2015 16:03

No 6pm is mayhem at home. Getting in, kids doing homework, me doing dinner and fielding calls from one particular client who thinks that the contract stating I am only contactable between 9 & 5 doesnt apply to him, DH coming home from work....

8pm would be perfect for me but clearly we are in the minority.

My retired mum complained that none of the younger members of her church got involved with the church council until I pointed out that the 6:30 meeting times would be problematic if you dont get in until 6, have kids that need feeding, bathing etc. She did see my point and suggested putting the meetings back by an hour or more so parents could attend.....the rest of the (retired) council nixed it because it suited them at that time. They still complain that the non retired churcher goers "dont make the effort" and mum still points out that unless they get more accessible about meeting times, they will never get better attendance.

OneFlewOverTheDodosNest · 04/11/2015 16:03

I've had similar issues OP - my commute is at least 45 minutes, usually over an hour and it's difficult to leave the office at 5pm as I'm usually waiting for meetings to end to have final day catch ups even if I don't have loads on.

It excludes me from going to a lot of things I'd like to unfortunately.

RatherBeRiding · 04/11/2015 16:04

My (hobby) club committee have meetings at 7.00 or 7.30, aiming to be over by 9.30 which suits me fine. Time to get home, feed horses etc and off again. Any later would be a massive no-no as I need to be up early and need to get meetings out of the way in good time.

squeaver · 04/11/2015 16:05

For anyone with school age kids (whether or not they are working), 6pm is a nightmare.

Our PTA always has its meetings starting at 8pm on the basis that small kids are already in bed, bigger ones are on the way to bed and other parent is home from work by then.

cleaty · 04/11/2015 16:08

Yes I can't make meetings at 6pm, but can make 7pm at a pinch. But a meeting I would like to go to that starts at 6pm, has lots of women with DCs going. They all say 6pm suits them.

ginmakesitallok · 04/11/2015 16:10

I've got a regular meeting which starts at 6, to make it easier for community reps to go. Pain in the bloody arse for me though!

ginmakesitallok · 04/11/2015 16:11

Oh and all the community reps are retired, so could do any time in theory, but they won't change the time.

G1veMeStrength · 04/11/2015 16:14

I'd find 8pm best.

Easier to get back from work, if you have a daytime job.

Easier to get a partner/babysitter/friend to cover an hour or two of childcare at 8pm than 6pm if you have small children.

Easier to fit around clubs if you have medium age children.

Notso · 04/11/2015 16:17

6 is a rubbish time for me. DH is rarely in at 6 so if I can't take the DC then I'd end up not going.

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