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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

If you had the time, would you always choose to be a parent helper on a school trip? If not, why not?

54 replies

emkana · 10/06/2008 21:17

My other thread is dying a death so I'll rephrase a bit.

Is it always a good idea to be a helper if you have the time? or not?

OP posts:

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Original poster

emkana · 10/06/2008 21:17

other thread here

OP posts:

MsDemeanor · 10/06/2008 21:18

Oh yes, lovely. It's fun ( well I think so) helps you know your child's teacher and get to know their classmates and other parents too. It can't be everyone's cup of tea, but I've always enjoyed it.

PinkChick · 10/06/2008 21:19

i am and i enjoy it as well as being able to help school out so they 'can' go out and about...we're off to fire station tuesday

WonderingWhy · 10/06/2008 21:21

I like the other kids - some better than mine!
Actually some I can't abide, but there you go...I like explaining stuff and so on.
Probably like it better with older ones tbh, that glazed silence when you make a joke and a five year old doesn't get it/is staring at your head, is very disconcerting.

chirpycherrycake · 10/06/2008 21:24

Yes I would, every time, any age group. It's fun!

nell12 · 10/06/2008 21:24

I loved going on trips with DS, now a teacher so will not be able to do the same with DD, so do story-time at her nursery once a week.

I found it a way to get to know the children better and also the teacher.

I found it exhausting, which could be why some people do it once and never again but so much fun, especially now I know the teachers side of the trip (H & S forms, pre-visits, medication, mini-buses, keeping the little buggers in check, follow-up work, etc etc etc!) I appreciate the idea of being a parent-helper even more!

Obv, if you do not have a good relationship with the teacher, it is probably not a good idea to go!

frogs · 10/06/2008 21:25

I did it once. That was plenty.

NigellaTheUndomesticGoddess · 10/06/2008 21:27

Oh no - this has reminded me i have volunteered for the next one.
I love it for the first hour or so then the little brats pupils start getting on my nerves.
while i quite like my own children i find other people endlessly irritating and i can't yell at them like i would my own.

FranSanDisco · 10/06/2008 21:29

I did my first one last week to the London Aquarium I really enjoyed it, the children were fab, the teacher is a hoot and I wasn't stressed as I work with pre-schoolers so have tricks up my sleeve to ensure they don't wander off . Dd wants me to go to the seaside with her class at the end of June but I'm at college Can't wait for Yr 1 Science Museum nxt year

Hassled · 10/06/2008 21:31

It's exhausting and much more stressful than just looking after your own kids, but I always have a good time and it's nice that I've got to know the kids so well. I have a trip to the seaside coming up.

tibni · 10/06/2008 21:32

I tend to go on all the school trips.

ds has special needs and is in mainstream and has full support. When his class are on trips his teacher will ask if it is possible for me to go too and be an extra pair of hands. School have been brilliant with him, really going the extra mile so if possible I say yes.

dd always wants me to go on trips or to help in class when they have special activities.

Some teachers will put helpers in different groups to their own child.

I never really look forward to the trips but enjoy them when i'm there. Clever teacher didn't mention that the one trip was hunting mini beasts!

RosaLuxembourg · 10/06/2008 21:33

I enjoy them. I have only been able to do them since DD3 started school last year so have been on quite a few to make up to DD1 and 2 for the years I couldn't do it. It is a great way to get to know the children; you meet some real characters.

soapbox · 10/06/2008 21:34

Despite working almost full time OTH, I have always made time for school trips. It is part of my 'biggest bang for your buck' thing!

Helping out on a school trips lets you get to know their teachers, friends and other parents better than a whole term of drop offs and picks up!

The DC's love it as well - so everyone gets something out of it!

cece · 10/06/2008 21:36

I never get asked. How can I become one of the chosen ones?

MadBadandDangeroustoKnow · 10/06/2008 21:38

I volunteer if the trip fits in with work commitments, blah blah. I think it is beneficial for children to go on trips without their parents, so they have to take a little responsibility for themselves, but DC wants me to go and the class sometimes struggles to find enough helpers, so I feel a bit guilt-tripped into volunteering.

choccypig · 10/06/2008 21:39

The only drawback is that your own child may not enjoy having you there. It can take the thrill away a bit if Mum is there IYSWIM.
I think most children are OK with their parent being in school, going on a trip etc., but the occasional one will revert to behaving as badly as if they were at home, or just clinging around their Mum. I've actually found DS pretty much ignores me, but one or two of the other children cling around me when I help, but am aware of some reasons for their neediness so just put up with it..and maybe they are the same with the proper teachers for all I know.

nell12 · 10/06/2008 21:40

cece, when you get the letter home telling you about the trip and asking for dosh, add a little note on the permission slip saying that you would be willing to help, and the school will ring you if they need you.

hana · 10/06/2008 21:41

would love to help out but have 2 younger children not yet at school so makes sorting out childcare for them tricky. Plus work 2 days a week so trips don't always match up

Marina · 10/06/2008 21:42

I WOTH full-time and have made it clear to the school that as long as I get a bit of notice (which we all need whatever our WOTH/SAHMdom) I am very happy to volunteer. Usually make it to at least 1 per child per year.
I love it too - but then, like Rosa, I like children the more I spend time with them (am also doing Latin Club with yrs 4-6). I find them fascinating, funny, variable and endlessly entertaining. Not to mention wise and deeply idiotic by turns

whatdayisit · 10/06/2008 21:43

We don't get asked, they seem to cover it all with dinner ladies, TA's etc. Apparently it costs lots to get everyone police checked!

When DS was in nursery I was asked, but I didn't go, as at the time, I felt it would be good for his social development to go without me. He had a phase where he was very clingy if I was there, but OK if he couldn't see me.

I'm not completely lazy though, I do help out at Beavers and that's great fun, so I probably would go on a trip now, if they asked.

brimfull · 10/06/2008 21:48

I will if they are short but I'd prefer not to tbh, ds enjoys being a "big boy" on the coach without me.

I help out in the school regularly which ds loves despite the fact I never work with him.

SNoraWotzThat · 10/06/2008 21:52

I have done maybe twice, but not anymore.
In answer to why....I think a good part of the school trip for my child, is being away from their normal home / school environment, having some time away, and that includes away from me.

Orinoco · 10/06/2008 21:55

Message withdrawn

LadyMuck · 10/06/2008 22:01

I would always see whether my children wanted me to go or not, and I wouldn't go if they didn't want me there.

I had assumed that people would be keen to go on the trips but often parents can't fit it around work or other children. It is usually a good way to get to know the children, the teachers and other parents (though generally we a fairly sociable crowd anyway).

cece · 10/06/2008 22:47

I always add a little note saying I can help but never get the call!

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