Front row seats for PTA

[pitapta]

I’ve name changed because a few people know my usual username on here and I’d rather not be linked to the following petty moaning…

I know there are bigger things to worry about at the moment BUT this has really left a bad taste in my mouth. I attended DD’s first ever school play this morning with my partner. She’s our PFB and this is the first time we’ve seen her in a school production so were really looking forward to it. I was told yesterday by a fellow parent that, although the play didn’t start for an hour, parents queued from drop off time so we wrapped up and joined the queue. We weren’t first but were three couples from the front of the queue. Waited in the freezing cold until doors opened at the start time only to be greeted by ‘reserved’ signs on the entire front row. Obviously didn’t know who these seats were reserved for so we dutifully took our seats on the second row before a bunch of the PTA waltzed in and took their front row seats. I had to ask two of them to lower their phones during the performance so I could actually see.

Is this normal? I couldn’t believe it. Surely it’s first come, first served and the fact we’d been queuing in the cold for an hour meant we should get the seats we wanted?

The show was great; I know this is the important thing but I still feel really cross and like this is deeply unfair. I wanted to email the school but my DP thinks they’re label me as pathetic and ignore it anyway.

AIBU and should I say something?

Not at my DDs school. It’s first come first serve, they usually have 2 showings so everyone gets a chance to see it. There are never any pta related refreshments so no reason for them to have reserved seats. I think if they did then one or two people would be pissed off as lots of parents donate their time and resources to the school that can’t be on the pta. I’ve never made one pta meeting in 7 years as the timings are just unrealistic for me, but I’ve helped out lugging furniture, manning stalls, collecting things plenty of times, just like many others parents at the school.

It’s ok when it’s the members of the PTA who have given up time to serve coffee or whatever so can’t queue. It’s unreasonable when they’re also saving seats for husbands and other family members who are perfect toy capable of queuing.

I got more annoyed by the one that offered to help but then turned up with 4 small children (childminder), commandeered the whole centre front row, brought snacks and drinks out for them (we were selling them) and did fuck all to actually help. She changed a nappy on her lap and left it under the chair. Next time she offered we politely declined.

Well, volunteer for the PTA, then. Put in the volunteer hours.

I used to be a PTA Chair where we did raffle tickets as parents arrived and at evening shows served wine, juice and biscuits. The PTA member got a front row seat (NOT their partner, a grandma, etc). Worked well for ages.

Then one afternoon I get a barrage of texts and calls - the 3 mums who swept up after lunch, put away the tables, set up the chairs and sold raffle tickets were told by the Head that they could no longer have 3 of the front row seats as they hadn’t queued (parents complained) and would be given priority seats in row 3. They asked me to deal with it.

When I spoke to Head he just shrugged and said parents had complained it wasn’t fair and the shows would continue on. I asked him who was going to do all that work in the future, not to mention if they walked away from the PTA full stop and we no longer had their help at the Christmas/summer fetes, film nights, etc? Would the parents who complained be stepping up?

I get that OP is saying they weren’t selling tickets and whatnot, but you’d be amazed how many PTA members used this one teeny tiny perk as momentum for ALL their volunteering throughout the year.

I volunteer for the PTA and we don’t have reserved seats. Our Nativity is next week and I will be serving refreshments then taking my seat at the back of the hall if any left or standing as all taken. I would be moaning about this as a parent and as a committee member.

Same! On Monday, I was at the back of performance, forgot my phone. Sorting out agm report.... Gift aid for recent marathon £££'... School weekly message... A post xmas fair social for pta... Class parents social...

If we had this perk, maybe more people would join. Hmmmmm.....

The last straw for my lovely friend was when she was picking up litter clearing up after a fundraiser bbq and non pta parents were literally sitting in the sun drinking beer pointing out where she had “missed a bit” of rubbish 🙄😲

Our other favourite was a non pta parent who was a dentist who used to send little arsey emails after every event criticising the presence of sugar at the events we had organised for free for her child to enjoy. She never lifted a finger (except for her slag off emails of course). Our kids are teens now but we all still pretty much hate her.

I wouldn't begrudge the pta. I don't appreciate it when parents hold a place in the queue for their friends. They aren't 6 and it annoys me no end. As for the pta,ours is made of a few members who do a heck of a lot of fundraising and organising for the school. I'd love to join once my youngest is at school so I could contribute with help practically.

The only time I volunteered so far I was sooo busy no way get a good seat so love that idea. Sensible school. Yabu. Volunteer to help op your pta needs you. It's hard work.

I'm on the pta at my kids school - you've no idea the amount of work that goes on behind the scenes. There's only a handful of us and we have to do everything, and as soon as one event finishes it's on to planning the next. We have been doing our best to help fund some great things for the kids but other parents don't seem to appreciate it much and even moan about the things we plan! We all have young kids/jobs etc - we are ALL busy! And you've no idea how many things I've missed with my kids in because I've been Manning the refreshment stall/washing 200 cups. So DAMN RIGHT I'd say to getting a little perk now and again!