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!

this just sounds like martyred busy work

Get some volunteers for the fairs each year (probably easier to get because its one day rather than two years)

Maybe no one is volunteering because lots of them think its not needed

Private school, two joint reps volunteer for a year. It shares the burden.

A class rep? Why is this a thing? 😐

Currently have my 3rd going through school and we've never had a class rep. As an adult I don't need anyone to tell me anything, sort out a gift or manage my time with the school thank you.

Just stop.

What’s wrong with preggoes when used amongst women?

Never heard of a class rep? Why do the parents have to chip in if another parent is having a baby? Just cos your kids are in the same class doesnt make you all friends. Bizarre.

In my experience, people who label hard-working volunteers as 'glory-seekers' or a 'clique' are dickheads who are too lazy to contribute but not honest enough (with themselves or others) to admit that they just can't be arsed.

Class rep/PTA stuff is a boring, thankless task.

You can't tell someone that they have to do it because you don't want to anymore! It's not up to you to decide on other peoples behalf what they have to do. I mean they can just say no.......just like you can. Just say you don't have the time to do it any more, if no one does it then the school will not fall apart. I promise.

Some pretty depressing replies. Most people who take this kind of role are doing it because it seems a helpful contribution, not because they are interfering busybodies - as I understand it it's usually part of the PTA structure, so you can't just say "leave it to the PTA" as the parents who take on that much bigger task may well struggle without class reps. I've taken this on in the past, seeing it as a relatively small and untroublesome contribution I could make to fundraising and having a pleasant community - I didn't expect thanks, but also not the kind of negative comments about busy bodies and pointless activities on this mean-spirited thread. I haven't heard of presents for new mothers, which seem a bit unusual, but helping sort out fundraising events with the PTA, organising so teachers get something of value rather than endless chocolate, and even organising a class social event are surely not things it's reasonable to be pissed off about as most of the posters seem to be. It's not necessary to have events going on in a school community, but it's quite nice. My experience was most people were fine with these things and happy to participate. I'd say some of these posters are being unreasonable, not you!

That's because it should be "pregnant women". Not "pregnant people".

that ‘role’ doesn’t even exist here so just stop doing it if you don’t want to anymore!? (I’m talking about private schools too)

if they contact you anyway you just say ‘apologies but that’s not my role anymore’

I thought it sounded very private schooly - it's a different world.

I haven't RTFT but is it necessary to have one? They didn't have them at my dd's school. If anything needed to be done a text/email would go out and they would get volunteers to take care of it. I think you should just let everyone know you're dropping out and anyone is free to volunteer for the role. It's not like you're under contract to do it anymore.

This is a case of making more work for yourselves. You don’t need to buy a pressie for a school mum who has had a baby. Sometimes we do a collection for a teacher but sometimes people do their own thing. No need for a role to be made for it

Presents for pregnant mums? What fresh hell is this?

Aren't the presents for teachers at Christmas, end of term and every time they blink not enough?

And no, of course you can't pull people's names out of a hat for a role that isn't actually legislated in any way, and which people have absolutely no obligation to carry out. My two youngest go to a school with class reps and a very active PTA. There is no rep for the younger one's class because none of us could be arsed. We've all survived. Someone just sticks their hand up to do whatever needs doing as and when it comes up.

Busybody? Martyr?

While I couldn’t be arsed being a class rep, and doubt it is necessary, members of the PTF do not do it because they are busybodies or because they seek glory.

Is that seriously what people think? If so then don’t go to any events or take part in any of the stuff they organise.

I wear my badge “never ever been a class rep and Damn proud of it” like a badge of honour.

If others fancy it - great
of they don’t - great. Saves me saying “thanks but no, can’t attend the parents Christmas drinks for the sixth year running”

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!

I have no idea who you are but on the basis of the above, I would totally assume that you weee a class rep.

i would go so far as to say you were born to be one

Is the school in Kent by any chance?!

Good on you @annoyedatotherparents !

Is I have an Assistant Panda can I still have a Support Wren?

Yep, that's exactly what most people think.

I noticed that too. Most mumsnetty thing about this thread 😂

Anyone who has time to dedicate to all this shite clearly has too much time on their hands

At my kids state primary school, every year had to have 2 class reps. It wasn't a biggie. No 'mummy martyrs' or any of the lovely descriptions posted above. Both the independent secondaries they go to now have Class Reps as well.

Never did presents for new mums but did organise volunteers to help with reading in reception, help with school swimming lessons, rotas for fairs, feedback to school etc. Small school and not enough teachers to do everything. If parents didn't help children wouldn't be able to have swimming lessons etc.

I'm surprised people have never heard of 'class reps', every school I know has them!

Names out of a hat - no. That’s not fair, sorry but no way would I want to do it. It’s not my cup of tea. I don’t see why there is a need for one.

YABU- you have kindly volunteered your time and now wish to vacate the role you've made your own.

In the times we are in I'm pretty sure a Watsapp discussion group could deal with vouchers/reminders what have you...
school classes function perfectly well without a rep, I don't mean to negate your efforts but it's seriously not your worry .
YABU though to contemplate pulling names from a hat-that's kind of insane!