To expect a "thank you?"

[Penygirl]

I'm a teacher and I've just returned from a three night residential trip with pupils from my school. I enjoyed the trip and the children had a fantastic time doing the various activities. They were well behaved and settled to sleep well, although one group were wide awake just after 5.45 one morning! As arranged, I dispensed medication to two pupils, and comforted a few who became homesick on the first night. However, when we returned on the bus today not one parent uttered the words "Thank you" to me or my colleagues. Is it just expected that teachers should give up time with their own families to care for other peoples' children or is it just my school?

What always pisses me off with residentials is that I actually end up out of pocket as I have get a cat sitter to pop in and feed the cats (rural area, no neighbours, live alone, etc.)
So while I don't need gifts of any kind, if a parent hasn't got the common decency of basic good manners to say "thanks for having him/her" then I think that's fairly pathetic really.

I ran or accompanied week long residential trips every year for 10 years. I can count on one hand the number of thanks I had in all those trips, including parents and children.
Teachers should be thanked, but it is rare. My mum was also an unthanked teacher so made a point of thanking staff after every singlw trip I went on as a child. I shall do the same when my kids are at school.

Very sad. I always found parents very appreciative.

Parents unless they happen to know otherwise, will probably expect you to have been paid for your time on the trip, because why wouldn't you pay for professionally qualified teaching staff to accompany children on trips that enhance their learning?

I always get out of my car and say thank you to the staff, and my elder boy is now in sixth form. And at fee paying school

I have always gone out of my way to say thank you to the teachers; one time they'd been busy at the luggage end of the coach, so when I passed them on the road later, I screeched to a halt and wound down the window to say it then. I insist my kids do the same, and have sent them back to search out staff before now if they've not been sure if they've said thanks or not.

How hard is it ffs? Good manners cost nothing, and people always appreciate it.

If it makes you feel any better it's no better in voluntary roles. Months planning Guiding trips, a week of being on 24 hour call for the kids and trying to make lot of fun memories and so, so few thank yous.
In my professional life I work for adults and charge thousands and get thanks, cards, flowers, chocolates...
Sometimes I do feel quite when the parents don't say anything but you see the girls growing in confidence and happy and it's worth it.

Shocking. Parents teachers so ingrained in me the importance of being thanked. You have given up your evenings fgs

And I've heard that ridiculous excuse on here before, of parents wanting to get their kids home quickly so they don't say thank you. As I just said, how hard is it, ffs, and how much time does it take to say "Thank you so much for taking them away. You must be exhausted - hope you can get a good rest over the weekend."

Why do schools go on residentials? I've got my first one coming up next year and I'm dreading it! My dd is very excited and looking forward to it. Schools are so strict about you taking your children out in term time yet can organise these trips. I want to take my own child away not have someone do it for me. Yes she doesn't have to go but she wants to. So what's the idea behind it?

Nishky
Seriously??? I'd much rather wine than bath shit stuff.

OP YANBU, terrible rudeness. A thank you costs nothing. I'll be falling over myself with gratitude for the teachers when DD starts doing residentials.

I've done several in my years as a teacher. Yes, they're great fun but can be bloody hard work. I've always been fortunate enough to have considerate, grateful parents thanking me on our return.

Independence? Adventure?

That is so rude! I always say thank you to my daughters teacher and one to one lady everyday when I pick her up from school. It's just something we did at school, thanked the teacher as we left each lesson.

I always say thanks, but then I'm a Beaver Leader so I know it doesn't get said that often.

I don't remember thanking my dcs teachers after residential, mainly because it was total bedlam- 40 10/11yr olds trying to get their stuff and also because I was hiding at the back with tears.

I did thank ds2s language teacher a few years ago when we muddled the pick up time and she delivered him to our door. We sent a box of chocs and a card.

I hope that the relationship we have with the primary school means that my dcs teachers know how we appreciate them for everything they have done for our children.

I think you're being a bit precipitate - I know I've thanked teachers for trips, but not always specifically on the day. And I think especially in juniors, it's more important that the child says thank you than the parent.

Whyis - independence, resilience, self esteem, help them grow up a bit? I'm aware in Sept age 11 they will be walking themselves to senior school. Anything that gives them a bit of independence from clinging parents will be useful experience! And team bonding with their year group. Our school is huge on them.

I would say thank you - but then DM was a teacher!

YANBU - it is basic manners to thank you.

Depends what you mean by being paid. We would draw our usual salary, but with no extras for being away overnight or for any expenses incurred for child/pet care.

When I used to go but was part-time, I would be paid supply rate for the days I didn't usually work.

What a sorry state of affairs when people are making excuses for not showing basic good manners and respect to teachers. I had a routine injection today; as I left the surgery I said a thank you for the nurse. I can't claim any credit for up it seems to me that it should just be a matter of routine.

I knew before clicking on this that it would be a teacher/residential thing.

Shocking but not surprising, unfortunately.