AIBU to challenge OUT OF CONTROL parents group chat?

[SySy7]

My 2 kids go to pretty decent school where the group chat is intertwined with class reps and PTFA. Theres around 90 parent members in each chat. My issue is not only the relentless money grab opportunities but the inconsiderate few who seem to think that messaging at 6am on Saturday mornings and sometimes gone midnight on a Friday evening to ask ridiculous stuff they could have directly asked one parent or a rep rather than 90 people is completely unacceptable? Where are peoples sense of boundaries, common sense and general respect? I’ve silenced before for holidays but all you see the minute you open your phone is 30 messages about school lunches or a fundraiser. I’m due to have a baby next week so have decided to remove myself from both chats for the time being for my own sanity but would it be unreasonable to contact the school come September and request that the group chat become more regulated? Say from 7am to 9pm on a school night for example and limited on weekends? Direct questions go to a rep? I get all parents have a morning panic from time to time for example but I’ve honestly never experience the sheer volume or anything like this before. One week we were sent the same advert for a group event over 15 times. It became literal spam and random parents were reposting the message/ad through like we hadn’t received it 45 mins ago? I’ll always help and support where I can - make donations and bake etc. I’m not against trying to make improvements but this next level. It does quieten down for holidays for a bit but always select few who just don’t give a damn! It might sound ridiculous but it actually gets me down sometimes- I feel completely and utterly harassed.i know a few other parents feel the same but nobody is brave enough to speak up or go against the status quo. There will now be incessant messaging for the entire weekend due an event taking place tomorrow (as there is most weekends). Should I be that person?

I see what’s app as much more personal than email tbh

But that's a you thing, so I'm not sure why you'd expect 89 other people to alter their behaviour around that?

When I was heading the PA for a year group and working and had three kids, I did my PA stuff when I could fit it in and would very much not have appreciated your input.

I would suggest you wait until after the baby and offer to take over running the PA so you can manage the chat to your specifications.

Ours is more of a chat group rather than sharing school information - those messages get sent by the school using other platforms. The WhatsApp group then might share these as a reminder or discuss them e.g. what time do you think the doors open for the performance? Will we definitely get tickets for an evening show? This is just parents discussion. As ours are at the end of primary the group has also been chat based on leavers stuff which is not organised by the school (the party) and also discussion of what school people are going to and comparing details like who will be in who's tutor group.

This is why it's not for the school to police.
I expect any information you actually require is delivered by email or via class dojo so if the WhatsApp isn't for you then just leave.

When we had a similarly crazy one the reps created a new info only group which only they could post to. They liked the power of that. The other group remained for people who wanted to chat. You could suggest that?

We get messages at 6am sometimes on ours, doesn’t bother me. My phone is on silent in the morning, doesn’t wake me, bother me, interrupt what I’m doing. I choose to read it or ignore it. Why does it bother you so much at what time they send messages? Just read it when it’s sent or read it when you choose too, no biggie.

We have this too we’ve got a whole year group chat and individual class chats. If you’re the class rep then you’ll also have a group chat for that. It’s exhausting. I volunteered to be class rep for my son and daughter one year so had a total of 6 chats dedicated to school stuff. In recent years I’ve just not accepted the request to join the class chats (our classes change every year) I’m still the the general whole year chats, there isn’t much goes on in there maybe the odd ‘is Emily’s mum/dad here’ for new parents to school that’s trying to arrange a play date/party.

id not run off to the school (ours e courages the use of it!) just quietly leave the group or send it to archive and forget about it until you need it. There is only so many pictures of lost property one needs to see 😂

Of course YABU. Mute the chat. Why can you not cope with seeing some notifications?

No you need to sort the settings on your phone so it doesn't ping every time you get a message/mute that chat and so that your phone is on silent apart from some key contacts between x time at night and y time in the morning.

Nope. Parent WhatsApp groups are annoying. That’s life. Mute it.

It is not their fault that you do not know how to use the settings on your phone

i never wake up from late or early WhatsApp messages as I archive or silence 🤫

So you want the useful bits of the chat, just at times that suit you?

Also, just checking you realise that people on the PTFA are trying to raise money to improve the school for all pupils, including yours?

I think YABU to care about it this much. No one can police an out of school WhatsApp group, even if the majority of members would agree if you on the subject of conduct. It certainly isn’t for the school to become involved in. All you can do is brush it off and mute the chat – or leave it.

I just have my phone on silent or mute the group chat. I couldn't give a shit what time people message me or any groups. I have friends in different countries in my besties chat group so it can go off at all sorts of time. If I'm interested I will open it, otherwise I would just ignore it until I needed to check anything. I don't think it is anything to do with the school. I would just mute it, and move on.

Just stay out of the chat or keep it on silence 😂

Babe just mute the group! Jesus

Just mute it. It doesn't sound like it's of any value to you.

I’ve archived the WhatsApp chat I’m in! Never wanted to be in it to begin with and I don’t think they want me in it as I’m the only white person and they don’t speak in English. So it got archived as I feel bad leaving it! Just archive it and forget it exists! It’s not na necessity to be a part of the chats, it’s literally just school

Just mute the chat like everyone else

Just mute it and look when suits you…..

Bloody hell OP as everyone has said, change your settings, dont dictate to other grown adults. Take responsibility for your own phone.

Just mute it

Just lock it so you don't get notifications.

I can pretty much guarantee that you won’t be the first person to mute the chat! You can’t dictate when other people post in it, but you can dictate when you look at the chat. Either mute, or put your phone on silent when you don’t want to be disturbed.

Just leave the group. The school will make you aware of any information you need. School WhatsApp groups are unnecessary.

I would judge anyone who doesn't mute the chat, even admins do!
😂

It's easy just leave the group if you don't like it. Didn't have them when we were young or when my kids were little even about fifteen years ago