Is it really bad form to take your children with you to parents evening?

[headfairy]

It's my first one, parents evening that is, and my mum is recovering from an op so can't look after the children while we go. I can get a 5.30 appointment but in order for dh and I to both go we'd need to take the kids. Is it better for just one of us to go rather than take them?

[healstorturepeople]

When I was a teacher I actually preferred it when the children came too. It was much more relaxed and informal and also the child felt more included in their learning.

I did have a couple of occasions though when children were running around, yelling, causing chaos and this was difficult as I didn't feel like it was my place to tell the children to stop it while the parents were there. If you do take the children just make sure they know they have to behave, otherwise you won't get the info you came for! Maybe take some toys or a colouring book.