To demand a parents evening meeting when I next have to pick my son up?

[OnlyParentsAreReal]

I was informed today at pick up that it's parents evening tomorrow (first time I'm hearing of this) and my time slot is 7.15pm! I immediately said that wasn't possible as that is past my son's bed time to which they replied "oh well". There are a few things I've been meaning to bring up with them anyway and my son isn't in tomorrow. Would I be unreasonable to demand a parent's evening meeting next time Im there for pick up?

[DrumDrop]

Wait for the message when OP says her DC is 11

[Mumof56]

Yes "demand" it and if they can't reschedule start shouting "I know my rights" and "I pay your wages" at them

[x2boys]

Well yabu because the teachers in ds1 school, at least sees the parents of those on the schools sen register outside of normal parents evening of which ds is one

[Willow2017]

I cant understand how op thinks school gave every parent 24 hrs notice of parents evening. Thats crazy if its true.

I dont suppose we will ever know what communication she missed. That would negate her indignation😀

We got letters home with our time slots on them (and the option to change them if necessary) and reminder texts.

[dementedpixie]

Our parents evening has slots up to 9pm! They start from 3.30pm until 6pm and then there is 1 hour break and start again at 7pm until 9pm. Ds's appt time is 7.45 pm this Thursday so dh can make it home from work for it. We are given plenty of notice and this year for the first time had to choose our own appointment time online

[user789653241]

This sounds totally wrong. Parents eves are normally scheduled way ahead of time. At our it's on school website, news letters, e-mails, text messages to make appointments, weekend letters with homework info, yearly dates to remember on home-school link books, etc, etc.
Also it goes on from straight after school till around 8 in the evening.
7: 15 in the evening isn't unreasonable. Just need to make adjustment/ baby sitting arrangement, etc., for a day.

[ButchyRestingFace]

Wait for the message when OP says her DC is 11 wink

Or 17.

[user789653241]

*At our school,

[BeachyKeen]

Even a 4 year old can handle staying up later once. He's not cinderfella

[BarbarianMum]

Beachy no not every 4 year old can handle it. My eldest certainly couldn't - and really irritating it was too, whilst it lasted.

[Christinayangstwistedsista]

I don't think she will be back

[2014newme]

Asking nice is so much more effective than demanding

[gillybeanz]

Good luck with demanding
Public service if state school, maybe go private if you want to demand.

I can't understand why you have only just found out.
Most schools give out newsletters or list the half term events on their website.

You are going to look pretty stupid demanding another time if you missed the info weeks ago.

[TheSnorkMaidenReturns]

How old is your child?

[FitBitFanClub]

It's highly unlikely that the OP will attend this meeting tomorrow. That's not so unreasonable as it's under 24 hours away now.

What is unreasonable is to blame the school for her own lack of organisation in dealing with the notifications that will have been given already, and to be demanding anything in light of that. I would be apologising for not being able to make it, acknowledge that I must have missed the letters and ask nicely if there's a time after school when they could fit me in for a chat.

[3luckystars]

Well I demand she comes back.

Seriously though, I would expect a weeks notice for a meeting.

And I would definitely demand a seat.

The word demand is so brilliant!! I’m really enjoying writing it!!!
Every time I see it I picture slamming a fist on a desk and making a growly noise.

[BakedBeans47]

What a storm in a teacup.

Yes just ask them if you can have 5 minutes with his teacher on another day at pickup time. I guess it’s only nursery so unlikely you’ll be missing anything crucial

[echt]

Actually, the OP can demand a meeting with a teacher, though expressing it in those terms would put such a meeting on an awkward footing - it's hardly the teacher's fault the meeting is too late for the OP.

My understanding has always that no meeting can be refused except on grounds of the parent being banned from the school. I have refused/ been advised not to to meet with some parents without another teacher in the room - not that I put it that way to the parent. What is up for negotiation is when it happens, a parent can't swan in and require a meeting instantly.

I find it hard to believe that the meeting was sprung at such short notice, apart from anything else, teachers have commitments too and can't be made to attend such meetings without proper notice. so they'd have trouble staffing it. If it really was as the OP says, then the person to complain to is the HT, who would have been the person to make the decision.

[DurhamDurham]

I think you SHOULD demand a time to suit you.

Then you can come back tomorrow and tell us how that panned out for you

[RavenWings]

@echt - I don't know about in the UK, but certainly here in Ireland we can refuse a meeting. Communication is then done through the principal afaik, so the parent isn't cut off.

I know one teacher who's refused any meeting with a particular parent, because the parent was incapable of behaving civilly. It haused hassle for the parent then as it was harder to schedule principal meetings, but that's what aggression gets you.

Mind you, in this case I don't see OP being banned - but she might need to lose the tone if she wants the teacher to work with her!

[Shouldileavethedogs]

Pass the popcorn

[user1955]

We can refuse to see any parent if the timing is not mutually convenient. So if they demand for a 3pm appointment and I already have a meeting or have to dash off for an appointment I can decline. Just as I've refused a meeting request at 9am as I'm teaching!

[youarenotkiddingme]

I wouldn't 'demand'.

I would contact and say it's an appointment past his bedtime. That it would be better for you, ds and teacher to arrange a better mutually agreed time.

I certainly would accommodate you as wouldn't think it ideal trying to teach an over tired child the following day!

[FitBitFanClub]

That it would be better for you, ds and teacher to arrange a better mutually agreed time. - which of course could have been done already if only the OP had returned her form in the first place.

[jannier]

"I think some of you are misunderstanding what the world demand means in this context. I say demand as in ask but do not except no as an appropriate answer"

LOL......I'm not demanding I'm asking but you can only say yes as I don't accept no..........well that's a demand then..
I'm asking for a pay rise and will not take no for an answer. Going to try that one.