to think that parents should take priority over grandparents at school events?

[BettyTurnip]

Ok, think I probably might get some stick for this and it's probably been done to death already but...

...have just come back from DD1's first school event (she's in Reception) which was Harvest Festival. The Headteacher apologised for lack of space in the hall and most of the audience were standing. It seemed like there were loads of grandparents there with prime spots, and I saw sweet FA tbh (and I probably wasn't the only one).

Now, I totally understand if they come as a "family representative" if the parents can't make it, but IABU to think it's slightly selfish for a family group (ie. saw a few of Mum&Dad and grandparents) to take up spaces meaning that one mother on her own (who admittedly is probably getting het up because it's her DD's first "big thing" at school ) gets to see bugger all?

Its all very well to say get there earlier but you can't if your the one dropping your child off. The grandparents have probably come in whilst mum is dropping child off. When my dd was in nursery it was the same. They were the last children taken into school so we were the last in the hall and just have to make do.

BettyTurnip
FILIMNG?! CHILDREN?! IN A SCHOOL?! Not allowed, surely?

Been there done that.

It's not an argument to say 'next' time get there earlier because (at our school) some things only happen in some years (ie nativity) and when your child moves up a year they do something else.

So if you miss it you miss it!

What a shame Nancy! Our 'director' made sure the front rows went to families of the lead children to make it fair.

Someone just needs to think ahead about these things.

Rationed tickets here as well - and a scary head who lays down the law about standing to take videos, photos etc at the start. AND goes over to people with screeching toddlers and asks them to take them out

OOOO Sassy you lucky thing!

YANBU

But my GOD school productions are dull aren't they? Next time, don't bother going.

YANBU. Agree that where space is limited it should be restricted to invites from each family.

LOL @ overmy

There have been the odd few where DC got stuck behind a very tall/wide child or stage prop and was obliterated for the duration.

In these instances it's hard to keep motivated.

I was always one of those mothers (working ) who screeched up late, abandoned car in terrible place, and arrived panting just in time...

But it did mean I got to stand at the back, so I could see over everyone's head and dds always knew where to look for me.

On the rare occasion that I was earlier, I was stuck about 3/4 of the way back, and yes behind the grandad with his video, and unable to see much at all

I just reverted to normal, waved crazily at dds from the back, and in any case, I could recite backwards the angel Gabriel speech they had been practicing at home for weeks. Still had a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye.

At DS's school, they put on 2 performances. They will only allow each family 2 tickets max per day & ask that if you came to one of the days you didn't come to the other. I had 2 tickets for the first showing for me & DH & then my parents had 2 tickets for the 2nd performance the following day.
Also, anyone wanting to video, was asked to stand at the back so as not to block anyones view.
Much more sensible way of doing things if you ask me.

Last play I went to one key row was 'reserved' by one family member with bags, coats etc. Really irritated by this but wasnt brave enough to tell them they couldnt reserve seats like this....

I know what you mean Rocky, it's one of the situations where you stand there going over assertive and polite things to say in your head but then still say zilch in the end.

Incidentally, have looked at the newsletter from school and the Christmas performance is split into Reception and Year 1, then the rest of the school on a different day so looks like Harvest Festival is the only one where it's everyone crammed into the hall.

Will be sharpening my elbows near Christmas just in case though.

Dollyparting - I know what you mean, I still had a lump in my throat even though I could barely see.

yabu.

Seats can't be numbered so you just have to start queuing early

Yanbu to be annoyed, but the school should limit the amount of seats per family.

I get annoyed at the people put their coats on the best seats and then roll up later straight to the front row. Reminds me of bagging all the sunloungers with towels on holidays

Pointyhat - as someone else said, you can't get there any earlier if you're the one dropping the child off.

I think they should ration seats on the basis that it is galling for the poor child whose parents AND grandparents are unavailable (e.g. parents both work, GPs overseas) if they have no-one there and someone else has both parents AND grandparents there.

School should issue a maximum of two tickets per child/family group. It's what my primary always did, in order to avoid these problems.

I wish DS's school did it, every feckin Christmas we turn up as early as we possibly can and the hall is still full, with mums and dads stood around the sides, and all the seating taken up by aunties, second cousins, step-dogs and fourth lizards twice removed. Okay, gone a bit far there, but you get my point. It's really effing annoying. Not to mention a fire hazard to have people stood all around the sides blocking the doors. So, erm... YANBU.