Modern Parents - is this REALLY what goes on?

[shoobaloo]

Have just watched a tape of the new programme The Madness of Modern Parents (or whatever), all about education and what parents will do. Is this really the norm now or is the prog really just talking about the North London Middle Classes? I must say that I truly hope so or else I'm going to have to start getting DS, who is 16 months, private tuition in everything from Mathmatics to Japanese right now just in order for him to get into a half decent primary school. This is SCARY S**T!!!

I thought the program was hilarious and truly believe that in our modern world all parents can behave like this to some degree. The talk about going through your child's friends book bag to see what reading stage they are at was really funny. I have to confess although have never done it (due to the fact that I would probably feel a bit down after knowing the friend was streets ahead) I have been tempted. It would be good to hear what others also thought. I really laughed out loud - DH thought I must be watching a comedy. Maybe that makes me strange??
It is sad really that we have to be so competitive and put so much pressure on our kids. At the end of the day they will end up as they are meant to. All the pushing in the world will not make them more successful if a)it's not in them and b) they don't have the motivation for it.

It certainly is partly true, as I know people that already have some tutors for their DC in primary but am sceptical of the use except in the case of a friend who has a tutor for her son who is legally deaf, currently in large class (thus finding it hard with his hearing aid) awaiting transfer to smaller school. And as all of our primaries are way oversub-scribed I wouldn't doubt the whole house thing -- but haven't specifically heard of it.

It certainly is true regarding the sudden attacks of religious beliefs. We have been church goers since childhood and every September and January when the priest's references for secondary or primary entrance are needed we see people sitting in the front row who we have not seen since - well the last time they needed a reference for a child . It does make it hard for the otherwise regular attenders who live towards the edge of the catchment area.

THis is SO depressing!

Unfortunately while hilarious, it's all too true...my kids are at a church primary school and the numbers who play the system are huge. I can count on two hands the numbers who move home in Years 4 or 5, so as to be within the catchment area for the church secondary school and as for tutors, contrary to last nights programme, they appear to be a status symbol!

Load of twaddle I thought. I know no-one at all who behaves like that.

The secondary system where I live is incredibly user-friendly and easy to navigate, but none of my ex-uni friends who now live all over the UK have had to go to such lengths.

If there really are legions of parents like that, I find it truly sad and depressing. Heaven help their children..

Having seen some of the discussions on the education topic - Tiffin Clubs, Chior Schools, prep schools, strange exams I've never heard of, points systems, tutors, Kumon etc etc, I think this will be all too familiar to some MNetters out there.

I think I'll slink back to the telly addicts - more my level.

This truely is another planet speaking a foreign language as far as I'm concerned, and I'm quite glad I'm not on it tbh

We're moving house this year - we need more bedrooms anyway (have two atm and not enough for four of us!), but we're also looking at catchment areas for primary schools.

Would be odd if we didn't pay attention to something like that, I think.

The parents on this prog were way OTT though.

I got the book that goes with this series for my Christmas from DH. I thought the book was hilarious and while lots of it didn't apply to me or anyone I knew, i have to admit I couldn't stop laughing at the chapter Trial by Party Bag. That chapter could have been written specially for me!! I love a big party especially one with a theme!! I bet the other parents in my DS's class hate me!