To not attend school video meeting at 8pm?

[glossypeach]

i have a four year old who’s due to start reception in September. His nursery, in which hopefully he will attend the reception there, is having a group video call meeting at 8pm a day next week. It’s to discuss what to expect within the education next year.

anyway, am I being unreasonable to think this is a ridiculous time, especially for parents of young children? My son has suspected adhd and he does not sleep of a night until a silly time and I’m a single parent so I have no one to ask to look after him to attend the meeting at that time. So I obviously cannot attend.

I do think a lot of the time, they don’t take into account single parents. Even if I wasn’t, I’m sure other parents with partners who are working or other kids to attend to, etc will not be able to attend. It just seems a bit unreasonable timing.

Proof that you’ll never please everyone. Just join and stop being awkward.

I miss the days when teachers didn't have to pander to parents. We didn't tell you what we were doing or when we were doing it. You applied for a place for your child if you wanted to but we didn't care if you didn't. We saw you at parents evening and, if we said your child was naughty, you apologised and promised to tell them off too. I'm sure lots of parents would have preferred a time of no involvement whatsoever - we didn't ask you to do stuff, and you didn't bother us doing our jobs. No evening meetings to inform you of anything - wonderful for everyone.

I doubt that they will tell you anything that you don't already know or can't work out in other ways, starting school isn't rocket science (for the parents). There will be other people who can't go for same reason or because they are at work, and others who haven't moved to the area yet or haven't adopted yet, but will find their children starting there in September anyway. They should be able to provide the same information in written format on request.

What about the teacher leading it who probably also has a family?

I think YABVU. Not only is 8pm on Zoom rather than in person an ideal time and location for most parents, the staff are working out of hours to facilitate it.

You are being so unreasonable to be annoyed. I have to stay until 9 at work and sort childcare for my own baby becUse people moan if it's too early. They moan if it's online. Fair enough if it's not convenient for you but to be annoyed, come on!

Did you mean 8 am? Because that would be really tricky.
Why do you think that people with kids or partners who are working wouldn't be able to attend at 8 pm?
What would be a good time for you?

When we had our meeting last year it was at 5pm at the school, no children to attend. About half the parents left halfway through to do nursery pick ups. A zoom meeting at 8pm would have been great.

Makes me nostalgic for the days when parents got a letter saying DC had a place at 'Fenn St Infants'. Then a letter saying Tracey starts on September 5th, 9am. Please come to nain entrance. No faffing. I feel so sorry for parents negotiating this now. Are kids any more settled for it, no they aren't.