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Primary education

Join our Primary Education forum to discuss starting school and helping your child get the most out of it.

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Original poster

Should I join the PTA?

18 replies

policywonk · 29/09/2007 20:33

...or, more accurately, be an active member?

DS1 is 4 and in reception; DS2 is 2, will be attending the school playgroup next year and in reception the year after that.

Is it a good way to meet people? Are all people on PTA committees insane busybodies? Will I be expected to sign away all my free time for the next five years? Is it all insufferably smug? Is it mean-spirited to not play an active part?

Yes! No! Yes! No!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

MarsLady · 29/09/2007 20:33

Yes join!

Can be great fun. Can be highly frustrating.

In fact BECOME THE CHAIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

moondog · 29/09/2007 20:34

You must.
It is your duty.
(Seriously)

cocolepew · 29/09/2007 20:34

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo.

Original poster

policywonk · 29/09/2007 20:37

Steady on Mars

OP posts:

MarsLady · 29/09/2007 20:39

It's what I did! First thing I did on joining the PTA was become the Chair. 3 years! Raised loads, had fun and almost had my own office at school I was there so much! lol

Original poster

policywonk · 29/09/2007 20:42

Did you have pre-schoolers when you were Chair? (not that I'd become Chair - suspect that the competition for that is truly cut-throat at this school). I don't want to promise to get involved, and then be constantly crying off because I have to look after DS2 instead.

OP posts:

MarsLady · 29/09/2007 20:46

Yes! One.

Was on the Governors at the same time!

Original poster

policywonk · 29/09/2007 20:47

OK. That's all my excuses dealt with then. It's off to the cheese and wine evening for me.

OP posts:

MarsLady · 29/09/2007 20:51

Well if you need ideas to take to the committee just holler... but not tonight. Got to get my salsa gear on. Leaving soon!

Peachy · 29/09/2007 20:52

Well i've just taken on the role of secretary.....

we're not busybodies, actually I knew nobody and just wanted to meet poeple (as i will be graduating next Spring and will then be at home with small baby in the day and no-one to talk to).

We're encouraged not to take on mroe than we can do- and only things we enjoy so it doesn't become a burder

I btw have 3 kids- ds1 is in juniors so not linked to PTA, DS2 is in yr2, ds3 starts school january, and am currenlty incubating a fourth

Original poster

policywonk · 29/09/2007 20:52

I will probably take you up on that, cheers

Have a good boogie.

OP posts:

Peachy · 29/09/2007 20:53

(oh and we try to make the meetings places we can take the kids- eg (oh dear...) this house, someone elses cafe, etc etc

Original poster

policywonk · 29/09/2007 20:57

Ta Peachy. Consider my backbone stiffened!

OP posts:

lilolilmanchester · 01/10/2007 10:52

I'd say go for it. PTAs are like any other group of people: some are a pain in the neck (learn not to get wound up by them!), some are fantastic (make friends with them!) . Schools benefit hugely not just from the extra funds the PTA raises, but also from a stronger sense of community. Benefit to you is getting to know parents of not just children in your DCs classes, but also those with older children whose advice you can ask about all manner of things. It's a bit of a small RL Mumsnet... We DON'T allow children at our meetings, and have a drink afterwards so it becomes a bit of a social activity too. Lots of other PTA members on Mumsnet to ask advice of as and when needed!

Gobbledigook · 01/10/2007 11:07

If you still have a 2 year old I'd say hold off on taking a committee role. I'm the Hon Secretary of ours - I have ds1 in yr 2 (6), ds2 in reception (4) and ds3 just about to start at the nursery (3) - it takes up far too much time and I've ended up taking on too much overall with 3 kids, a practically full time job that I do from home PLUS PTA stuff.

I do enjoy doing it though and it has it's plus points - I've made some brilliant friends, it's very rewarding to raise so much money and put on successful events but, on the flip side, there is lot of moaning and sniping from parents that don't get involved and it can be a completely thankless task.

It's not helped by the fact that our school is being rather obstructive at the moment and there are lots of 'politics' involved - I hate all that and thought I'd left that behind when I left employment and went out on my own!

The childishness of some of the parents is astounding too.

Hmm, not painted it in a great light there have I?!

Overall, get involved in what you can manage but stay off the committee if you have a job and/or pre-schoolers.

wannaBe · 01/10/2007 11:13

I've just joined ours and it's a real eye-opener re money and what they cover and how hard it is to raise and how many people that expect the earth aren't prepared to get involved.

But I intend to be a fully active member and will do all I can.

I actually think that if you have a child in school you have a duty to be involved in any way possible, even if that's only attending functions etc.

Kaz33 · 01/10/2007 11:16

Do it, you will make some friends, get to know loads about the school. Its always the same people who help..

But, someone will always be unhappy if what you do, someone will always whinge. As long as you can take that on the chin then its great fun

Doodledootoo · 01/10/2007 11:21

Message withdrawn

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