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 am a SAHM with a pre-schooler and have helped out in lots of ways - PTA, doing my stint at fetes, class trips, listening to readers (while DD at nursery). I have enjoyed it all.

This article is complete nonsense. The lady has gone back to work and wants to justify her decision by implying SAHMs are lazy goodfornothings. The lady appears full of her own importance...thank goodness she isn't my class rep!

I will cease buying the Times if they are waging a campaign against people who choose to look after their own children for a few years.

some guy - excellent post

I know why the SAHMs at Sarah Ebner's school don't help.

It's because they want to avoid Sarah Ebner and her smug, ignorant views.

Again I will say it:

EVERY FAMILY HAS A UNIQUE MIX OF CIRCUMSTANCES - EVERY WOMAN MAKES THE BEST DECISION SHE CAN FOR HER FAMILY.

WHY HAVE WE ALL GOT TO ATTACK EACHOTHER, SARAH?.

Maybe the working mums feel 'guilted' in to it.

Maybe she's just writing any old crap, regardless of whether it's true, to provoke a reaction.

Do not feed the troll!

Everyone knows us SAHM's are a bunch of lazy sluts unlike you decent hardworking folk

agree with someguy. I can't believe people get paid to write boring shit like that. I can't believe there are editors who accept stuff like that instead of throwing it back across the newsroom/ether. Honestly I see better written more interesting articles in my own primary school newsletter. (not to mention seeing better more interesting writing on mn). resolves never to buy the Times (not that I make a habit of it).

'Was it because I find it irritating that they happily go along to all the (day-time) school activities and look down upon some of the working parents who can't do so, but don't actually take on any of the less appealing stuff?'

Maybe the SAHM's don't want to hang around her and her bitchy clique?

or maybe because the SAHMs have done the day-time activities they think that they have done their bit already?

I did lots of PTA stuff as a SAHM, but now I work P/T I spend far less time doing PTA stuff and can't wait to stop altogether when this yr has finished.

Hmm..in my experience of DD being at pre-school, it's the sahm mum's who help out because the wohm are...erm..at work and despite the huge advances in science and technology, there isn't yet a "duplicating-mum" machine.

I am a SAHM and help with the day time activities but can't help in the evenings because DH is a chef, therefore he is at work. I am buggered if I am going to pay a babysitter so I can go to a PTA meeting.

I have never looked down on a WOHM. Infact I am more than happy to step in with emergency daytime babysitting if they are having a childcare crisis.

This WOHM/SAHM argument is the preserve of female journolists who have a deadline but not the imagination required for their job.

''Was it because I find it irritating that they happily go along to all the (day-time) school activities and look down upon some of the working parents who can't do so, but don't actually take on any of the less appealing stuff?'
'

AKA

Iz it coz I iz crap?

Apart from having a preschooler most of the time, I do not intend to spend my precious (and rare) child-free time with a bunch of other people's children.

I do 90% of my PTA commitments at home when the children have gone to bed. No one sees me painting banners & signs, doing tickets/posters/letters etc and doing internet research for projects so no doubt they assume I do nothing at all.

I'm SAHM and I volunteer three times a week at the local school. I'm a reading volunteer with y6 kids with reading difficulties and spend an hour on literacy with Y3 kids who are struggling.

Wrapping presents for the lucky dip/Santa is a good one too I also try to get the job of the Costco shopping trip!

And right now, I am storing a vast quantity of Magnum ice creams for the PTA in my spare freezer. There are less there than there were at the beginning...

You waste magnums on kids? Ours have to make do with fabs and zooms

If they've got the money to buy one, they can have one

The writer of the article thinks that sahms do nothing whilst those who work in paid employment are the busy ones. What rubbish.

She does say she means the those sahms with all kids at school but still - being a sahm means that you might not have the childcare backup that being a working parent needs.

I was asked by a school teacher to help making and serving drinks at the school fete and she was surprised that with preschool kids - one of whom is bf on demand it wouldn't be possible for me.

Mybox I have had the same situation. I was asked to help on a school trip but not allowed to take my BF baby with me. . I didn't have a babysitter anyway. The teacher then said "can't granny help". Er, they both work and one lives in France and the other a 3 hour journey way. Where the hell are the babysitting fairies that we need so we can pull our weight at school?

I don't actually know anyone who can afford to be a SAHM once the children are at school- apart from a couple who are carers or have serious medical problems of their own.