Writer says SAHM never volunteer at her school whilst working mothers do all the work

[TheDullWitch]

timesonline.typepad.com/schoolgate/2009/06/where-are-the-parent-volunteers-do-working-mums-volunteer -more.html

I didn't realise the term SAHM was universal. I though it was an MN word.

And completely the opposite here. All help is from SAHMs or part-time WOHMs who want to get involved.

It really is none of her business what people choose to do in their spare time. FWIW just because SAHMs do not volunteer at that school doesn't mean that this is replicated across the country.

There is a good mix at our school. And, shock, horror dads as well.

The Times, IMO, has a big anti-SAHM agenda hence the reason I stopped buying it.

I have volunteered to go into school to help for the first time in September as my youngest will be starting then. No able to do so before but have always sent in money, things, cakes, etc to raise money for the school,

All SAHMs have pre-schoolers

Never stopped us!

I work from home (self employed) and help out at the school when i can. The other volunteer mums all work too - one is a nurse, one runs a farm, one works pt for BT. TBH in the case of our primary school this rings true but that's not to say it's indicative and i certainly wouldn't go down the 'if you want something doing ask a busy person' route that the journo does. It may be that there are not many SAHMs at the school tbh.

Not all SAHMs have preschoolers

And what are you supposed to do with them if you can't take them with you?

And yes, we have Dad's help out esp with allotment, putting sheds up etc.

It's usually the SAHMs at my school who do swimming and trips and a mix of both who do PTA/school fair etc.

Actually at the DSes'school most of the PTA is run by people who work (some FT) and most of the parents who help with reading work (pt obv) as well. Maybe she's on to something?

Am a SAHm and spent all afternoon reading with the kids. But as I dont know who every other volunteer is, how could anyone judge what their livesentail?

Was PA Secretary alst year but they ahd to move to evening meets to suit the WOHM's who amde up the majority of the team (fair enough but DH worked nights and no other childcare so was a no-no.... better 12 of them able to continue than just me)

Working parents will have childcare sorted for any pre-school age children, SAHMs do not (generally).

You see lockets - you are going to do what I was just about to suggest! You work around playgroup, shared care and, well, just bringing them along to PTA stuff.

PTA/classroom helpers are almost exclusively SAHM/PT workers in my neck of the woods. Which is absolutely fair enough - in my FT working days it was all I could do to get through a day sane, let alone then spend time wrapping lucky dip presents.