To think DH should remember...

[leopardandspots]

That DD's seven years at primary school finishes next Tuesday.

And that he should not have arranged to go out after work with his mate?

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

Do you know why it's all "mums" taking the photos at your school?

Because more mums get involved and form friendship groups with each other than men do generally.

[DeniseRoyal]

@Iamnotagoddess amen to all that! Can we be friends?

[AllPizzasGreatAndSmall]

Remember she was leaving and when- that's all ! Just remember it

So if he'd said " Next Friday, which is DD's last day at primary school, I'm meeting Dave after work and going for a drink." that would have been fine with you, because he'd remembered what day she was leaving?

[leopardandspots]

Hmmm if he'd said that (before reading this thread) I'd have said something like:

"Are you sure - as it's the end of St Mark's [ fictional name of school] and you can see Dave every night while we're away with grandparents the following week."

After reading this thread I'd now think well it's his choice but feel a bit sad he'd made that choice.

[Percypigparade]

allpizzasgreatandsmall so that's it! Nothing to do with women being vastly more likely than men to quit work or work part time or flexibly to enable them to do the school run. Or to form the social glue that hokds things together, arranging playdates etc.
I don't disagree with you that women form more friendships but its the background to this that you are overlooking.

[Janus]

Percypig, it is (generally) because women work (or try to) around the school pick ups and drop offs or are SAHM. If the mums are therefore there that’s why they take the photos on the last day. I don’t exactly know what your point is but my husband would not be able to do the job he does if I wasn’t at home as we have no one within 150 mile radius to help so that’s just what has happened. We are both happy as we are so isn’t that the important thing?

[Percypigparade]

It's the "but why ?" Janus. This thread basically deals with the different approaches of mothers and fathers. I would hope we would at least be heading towards greater equality by 2019.

[StreetwiseHercules]

“Those WhatsApp MSG's you quoted sum it up. They're all about how the parents feel and not about the kids”

I agree. There’s a growing culture of emotional masturbation where every small thing is made bigger than it is for “the feels” and the sake of W good cry.

A lot of men (and women) aren’t into that, and that should be accepted and respected just as much as those who wish to wail and gnash their teeth every chance they get.

Nobody is stopping people from having their emotions, but why do they have to drag others into it if it is not their thing?

[leopardandspots]

This thread basically deals with the different approaches of mothers and fathers. I would hope we would at least be heading towards greater equality by 2019.

Yes I would have hoped that too.

We had another minor example today. DH had a cycling event which involved leaving the house at 5.30 am.

He said to DD he'd be back in time for another end of term thing. This is nothing to do with school but a little informal end of term gym show thing at 6 pm. DH did come but due to traffic etc missed it and arrived just in time for the nibbles at the end.

Before I get slated, I didn't make a fuss, just accepted that the cycling etc is important to him. RX

[leopardandspots]

Really what I don't understand is why he's not in the slightest bit bothered. She wants him there sometimes; if I hadn't gone, I'd feel like I'd hurt her feelings - but that's my issue I guess.

[AquaPris]

So ask him not to go out and make dinner plans

[lazylinguist]

I agree. There’s a growing culture of emotional masturbation where every small thing is made bigger than it is for “the feels” and the sake of a good cry.

God yes, this.

[BackforGood]

my DC has a leavers assembly followed by playground barbecue and balloon release on their last day

How sad that anyone is so selfish and cares so little about the environmental impact especially on wildlife, that they think it is a good idea to be deliberately releasing balloons. Most 10 and 11 year olds care more about the environment than that. Am really surprised a Primary school arranges or endorses that.

[HeadintheiClouds]

Have to agree, Back

[Janus]

But percypig that would mean both the man and the woman work part time to do the school runs/doctors appointments/sports days/ school plays etc etc. I have in my circle 2 dad’s that do all the drop offs etc but that’s because the mother earns more than they do. I think that’s what it boils down to. My husband has his own company so he can make all the school plays and whatever we have notice for, he can’t always do the rest but he will be there for leavers assembly this week but due to sheer luck. He loves it when he gets to see this but if he needs to be in, say, Switzerland for sports day that day there’s nothing either of us can do about that. We will both go to the leavers assembly and I think we will both be emotional because he’s even worse than me!!

[Hebdenbridge]

Fucking grown up men and their goddamn cycling @leopardandspots

[Zaeem5]

OP, my DH is s massive cyclist and goes on god knows how many cycling trips a year. Plus other sports too. Also he’s a workaholic frankly and away a lot. I’m a SAHM, so I expect to be the mainstay at such events. I think it would bother me if I sensed he didn’t care at all. This is the crux of it. There have been quite a few things he’s not been able to attend over the years because of work - or sometimes things like rockclimbing holidays booked well in advance- but he’s always called and explained to the DC. They don’t doubt he’s interested. This is why I don’t mind that I often go to things solo.

I think only you can decide whether this is a problem or not. It’s not always the being there. As you say, it’s more about taking notice.

[NoSquirrels]

@Runnerduck34 can you ask your primary school to reconsider the balloon release on the last day?

They’re absolutely awful for wildlife and livestock. Perhaps you’re a city school and not rural because round here it would have everyone up in arms. Here’s a recent thread. Even the biodegradable ‘environmentally friendly’ balloons don’t break down quick enough not to be eaten by a cow or sheep or other animal...
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3638226-To-take-my-daughter-out-of-nursery-because-of-balloons