People older than 35; did your dad go to school parent’s evenings?

[Farrings]

I asked my parents to look after our daughters for an hour (they’re primary age) so DH and I could both go to parents evening.

Both kids are at the same school so it’s no bother, and we care equally about their education, so we both want to go.

My dad (born 1943) asked ‘What’s parents evening?!’ He denied any knowledge of the concept, and said he’d never been to one. He has 3 kids who were all in school in the 90’s/early 2000’s.

To be fair, I’m not sure my mum went to many either… they’re not great with supporting formal education…but I was still surprised to hear my Dad say he didn’t even know what one was!

Then I thought, was this normal for the time maybe?

if you’re over 35, please vote -

YANBU - ‘My dad didn’t go to parents evenings either, (or maybe like, one time)!’

YABU - My dad DID GO! Or a few times anyway!

(Obviously whether or not Mum’s went is a whole other question, I will have to save that for another vote)

P.S This is Just for fun! X

Considering he once offered me a lift to school when I was 15, then once I got in the car asked me where I went to school, no he didn't go to parents evening.

I'm 36, Dad born in 1959 but he believes anything to do with children/ school to be women's work.

Neither of them went, really. Maybe once at each school.

I don’t think dad did. He adored us, and tried in vain to teach me math (he was an excellent mathematician), but, he was a man of his time I guess. He was often late home from work. Mum worked part time.

He was chomping at the bit to babysit his grandchildren when we went back to work though, wild horses could drag him. Not many granddads do that. I’m in my 50s.

My dad didnt and my husband doesn't. I just relay what was said when I get home/he gets home.

I'm 39, dad is 71. My dad tended to do all our parents' evening at Primary solo, as my mum was a teacher at the school so obviously busy! He was also there at all our concerts, Sports Days etc. often with his parents in tow.

I'm lucky that my side of the family have always been very supportive of children's efforts, and this continues with their grandchildren. Give my dad a date and time, and he will be there.

Yes dad worked 7-3 so was always available to do Parents Evening with my mum

DM always went, DF never. Parents evenings were in the middle of hay making and he was a farmer. Neighbours looked after us or DF after he got home. DM was very interested in our education, DF not so much.

No. Mum generally picked an appointment straight from school if possible as dad was working until 5pm. I remember him come to school plays sometimes and prize giving in senior school

Yes

I'm late thirties and my dad never went to parents' evenings and to this day might not be aware that they happen in secondary schools. I never gave either parent any of the letters about them. I was high achieving, extremely anxious and frequently truant, and the thought of parents and teachers sitting there talking about me while I wasn't present was absolutely horrifying.

Dad left school at 14 himself. My mum left at 13 (not UK) so there was nobody in the household particularly invested in education!

I'm mid 30s, Dad born late 50s. He would have come if he didn't work until 6.00 and then have an hour commute home. Mum was SAH for a large part of childhood, so she handled all of it.

DH is only available to come to parents evening as he can work from home. The slots usually end at 6.30 so if he had a commute it wouldn't be feasible.

@Idabelle!

😲

That surely wins the thread.

My Dad cared very much about DB and I, but I don't think he even knew what school either of us attended ! Women's work.

Yes. I’m 52. He certainly went to all secondary school ones if he was in the country. I think the primary ones were at the end of the school day so probably not but he’d have gone if he could. Education was a very serious business in my house growing up!

I'm 50, Dad was born 1929. He came to some but not all. I do remember him being very involved in choice of secondary school, and wanting to make sure I was happy with that choice.

Yes. My dad was born 3 years after yours OP. He turned up to one having come straight from work (where he'd literally just got off a plane after 3 weeks of NATO war games, no sleep and quite a lot of mud).

Thinking about it, when I attended British Forces schools abroad, most children had both parents attend (we all went as well due to lack of childcare). I don't think that was the same when we were UK based.

Dh says FiL never went to anything school related.

My late father was born in 1939 and he went to all the parent evenings for myself and my sisters , he was a very hands on parent despite my mum being a SAHM .

I'm 47 and my dad came to most of my parents evenings.

I'm late 50s and my parents are the same age as your Dad. They always both went to parents evening.

I once asked my mother if my father went to parents evenings. She sounded surprised when she said 'no' as if it was daft asking. Like it wasn't expected rather than he chose not to. I suppose also it would be because he would probably need to leave work early as he worked long hours. Mother did go.

In my early 50s. My dad didn't but my amazing step dad went to every single one ❤️

My dad went to about 3 of my primary school ones. He was on the board of governors though and was in the army so often away.
He attended all of my secondary ones and was actually my biggest advocate helping me to stand up to bullies for the 5 years I was there!

I am a lot over 35 and my dad went to parents evening. My children are over 35 and their dad went to parents evenings

Yes, my Dad (born in 1930) went. My Mum could drive, but he went anyway.

I'm not convinced my Dad ( born 1929) even knew what school I went to, he certainly didn't go to any parents evenings!
On the other hand, DH went to lots of parents evening for our DC ( oldest 33 now) although I don't think he ever took time off work to do so - it was always me as the fallback if he was working, even though I was working too.