To think class parents need to do more?

[annoyedatotherparents]

Probably will get told that people have their own lives, everyone's busy, etc etc.

But am seriously annoyed today. I've done two years of being a class rep at my DS's school. Primary aged kids, but pretty minimal work - organising vouchers for teachers at Christmas, occasional presents for class mums who've had babies, organising volunteer rotas for two fairs a year (Xmas and summer). The kids are getting older so there's minimal reminders needed and everyone knows everyone else now so fewer social things - people just hang out in the groups they like. So all pretty easy.

I asked around today as the usual pattern is for people to do two years as class rep then hand over to someone else. The class WhatsApp was totally silent...tumbleweed. Everyone appears to be utilising the Mumsnet maxim of no being a complete sentence. However....this will mean I end up getting saddled with it all again. And I have 3DC and a full time job. There are plenty of mums in the class with one child and no job. (Rich enough husbands to not need to work).

I guess my AIBU is - would I BU to just tell everyone I'm drawing names out of a hat? The competitive busyness thing is ridiculous and I'm sure everyone will have a tantrum if I do that but the alternative is me just putting up with it and that will drive me mad!

Ha! You've got me. I don't have three children. Or any children Or even a job! I just REALLY LIKE MICROMANAGING!

Everyone who's pointed out that it's a dad thing too is quite right of course, and I've sent a very polite note to everyone saying that I'm stepping down at the end of the year and a brief note about the role. No hat mentions at all!

It sounds completely unnecessary, every task you’ve listed.

If the school keep contacting you about it, tell them not to.

Yes, just keep repeating that you are not going to do this.

My DC have been in international and private schools, and I have never seen any dad, even the SAHDS, doing this work. Because they don't want to.

Yes, that is what I thought

so you never asked your own partner?

I would have paid money to see the response if you’d gone back and said you were pulling names out of a hat.

Personally, if the (totally chilled) class rep in my child’s class said she was doing this…. Then I episode be willing my name to be pulled out.

Just so I could response with “oh I am one lucky parent! However, I will pass on this particular treat. Thanks though 😂 “

And I suspect every single other person pulled from the hat will respond in a similar manner

and if the class rep said she was hanging her hat up without a successor. No one would blink an eye. In fact rejoice at fact that no more “parents’ drinks to decline or accept and then decide you can’t be arsed on the day)

Of course you can’t just appoint someone at random! Also don’t assume people with one child necessarily have it easy, you don’t always know what people having going on in their lives. Of course many just won’t want to, but that’s their choice too! Just stand down, if no one else steps up then so be it!

Just as an update we've had two parents volunteer so all good. Thanks for the sensible advice, the batshittery and the random comments. All greatly appreciated!

Everyone appears to be utilising the Mumsnet maxim of no being a complete sentence.

Did anyone ask "Are you on glue?"

So all your OP was… well you having a tizz?!.

i reckon those poor volunteers will have a lot of “help” from you next year imparting forcing your extensive class rep experience upon them 😆

I'll be thrilled to hand it over and will leave them to get on with it! I've got my imaginary kids and job to get back to after all....

Pretty much spot on there OP!

you ask the class if any interest in becoming a class rep… on the 15th

You start a thread about being seriously annoyed about no takers for class tep position … on the 15th

on the 16th, two parents volunteer

are you usually so quickly seriously annoyed?!

We'd asked before the 15th!

Are you always so over invested in threads?!

I asked around today

Nah. Not really

post op recovery so got an indulgent couple of days when my ex has the children and I’m recovering.

so posts like this are very entertaining!

love all the different comments taking the piss!

We had our summer fair think in sept last year as cancelled in June 2021 - just as dd started reception

And then had Xmas fair dec 2021 tho know many schools didn’t allow

plus nativity play dec 2021

just had summer fair June 2022

so yes quite possible @annoyedatotherparents Had to organise 2

Fab

Just say you are finishing. The class won’t grind to a halt without a class rep.

Schools really need to stop leaning on parents so much to -forcibly- volunteer for things.

Many have FT jobs. Many are lone parents. It is not the parents' job to do school admin. If people want to, then fine. But the guilting into this stuff is absurd. Many people do not have capacity for this nonsense.

It's bad enough with the "make an Easter bonnet", "dress in Gold for ", "cake sale" crap. Who has enougj time to even keep on top of this?!

Just send us an invoice for £50 at the start of the year if that's what you need and save all the admin and hideous, forced "volunteering" and having to remember all of these ridiculous invented reasons to bring in £1 once or twice per week. 🙄

I agree

OP said 2 a year, not 2. So 4.

You’ve given the example of your school which has squeezed 2 summer fairs into one academic year plus a Xmas fair in the same year. I would hazard a guess that that is unusual, and that’s still not 4. (Not sure why you mentioned a nativity).

I asked ‘how come…’ of the OP, because I think it sounds unusual. I didn’t say it was impossible.

Another one who has never heard of class reps. As for teacher presents, I prefer to choose something myself and put a personal note in a card.

I added nativity as they needed parents to do the drinks tea coffee table for helpers

so something maybe @annoyedatotherparents had to organise as well

I volunteer for things because my child has additional needs and won’t be fully considered in events - it’s the reason why I also volunteer at other groups like Guides.

I am no martyr. And I certainly don’t seek glory.

But I also feel quite proud when we pull of an event that everyone enjoys. We’ve just had an amazing summer fair which was so well attended. Everyone seemed to have a great time (there was a bar!) and we made lots of money for the school.

I am genuinely sad that people will look at me like that. It’s not how I viewed the previous chair at all.

I don't think many people in the real world are so mean spirited. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who volunteers to make life easier/more fun for my children!
I think it's the competitive cool/don't care attitude of 'God, you sound AWFUL, who would want to go to drinks things with parents' etc etc. I do actually! And luckily so do most of the other people I encounter at my kids' schools.