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

[emkana]

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?

I did it when DS1 was young he is now at university (for some reason the teachers asked me to go may have had something to do with DS1 being a menace and trying to run away all the time) so ended up with his group.

Have not helped in school since this CRB business came for parent helpers (bit over top imo as the nature of the school means that parents, teachers and children know each other very well outside school) Have had check for helping with other organisations within our diocese but even though it is a faith school within that diocese the headteacher has to do another one so for one off trips I can't be bothered.

I've done one so far and it was great. Nice to feel that you're helping the school out and good to get to know teachers and classmates. I'll definitely be offering again.

nah, whinging little brats - i would rather eat my own arse

I like doing it and Ds likes me being there. The problem I have and the reason I would not do it again is that my presence changes the way ds acts - he can be quite possessive of me and also shows off more to other children. I have therefore sadly concluded that his social development is best served by me not going on these things.

I have tried being a helper in school and on school trips.

Three reasons why i don't still do it...

1. Because i get travel sick
2. Because my kids tended to be put in my group and then behave badly (although i guess i could have asked for them to go with another parent/teacher which would have solved the problem) and
3. Every time i went into school/on a trip i came home with the most horrendous migraines! (noise sensitive)

I have just been asked if I can go on one at ds1's nursery. Not sure as ds1 apparantly is an angel at nursery but a handful at home. I think he would be mis behaved if I was there not too mention clingy. But then it is a long day. Oh don't know what to do???

I have just been asked if I can go on one at ds1's nursery. Not sure as ds1 apparantly is an angel at nursery but a handful at home. I think he would be mis behaved if I was there not too mention clingy. But then it is a long day. Oh don't know what to do???

Custy you'd be expected to take your own pack lunch. So that's OK [grin}

I took a day off work to go on DS's school trip (to a ruined castle) this year. I wouldn't do it every year but he obviously really enjoyed having me there. He wanted to sit with me on the bus. I thought he would have chosen to sit with his classmates.

I've never fancied going on school trips, but I do go into school and help with various activities

Probably not.

I do voluntary work with kids, so I have the right skills and interests. But I think it would cramp my daughter's style. She is a bit of a mummy's girl and would be quite likely to hover around me and get less stuck into whatever's going on.

If I really had the time, I might offer to help on other classes' trips. But I'm not likely ever to have the time. Am a congenital volunteer and normally running around doing other stuff during school hours.

Sometimes I like the idea (and can go), sometimes I don't - places we've already been to, for example. I also think dd is better behaved without me there! I don't mind going sometimes though, but don't often get "chosen" as there is a stronghold of SAHMs, some doubling as TAs, that go every single flippin' time and it makes me so cross when that happens and dd is asking why I didn't get to go.

Helping on school trips is my idea of hell, so I wouldn't be pushing to go on any. DD wanted me to go on one, so I did say I was available if they were short, but fortunately they didn't need me.

I do help out at the Christmas parties (setting out and clearing the food part of the party), video school shows when asked, and now that my youngest is a bit older I can help at school fairs, so I don't feel guilty about not helping on trips.

If not, why not?

Because I'd have to spend the day with 30 schoolchildren?

It's good to be a helper if you like that sort of thing. Many don't.

I'm guessing the OP's child is probably 13 by now...

Good lord no! I've done plenty of school trips because I've mostly been a sahm for the past few years, but I don't particularly enjoy them. And I also begin to feel resentful that the teachers and wohms kinda assume you'll always go. I try not to do more than 2 or 3 per year now.

I work almost full time but would never volunteer for class trips - I am a teacher myself so it would be just like doing an extra days work.

Aaaarrrggghhhh - ZOMBIE THREAD

DD is an angel at school, she is exceptionally difficult and unangelic when I am around. I think the school would prefer me not to go along!

On the other hand I would be tempted to go along and hide in the bushes/corner so I can see what my child is like when she's not whinging or throwing a tantrum!

I will only volunteer again if they promise not to give me my own child!

They removed him from my care after he played up last time. I was so embarrassed and am sure the teacher thinks my own child has no respect for me!

I generally could make the time to do trips if I chose too. I don't "always".

I may let teacher know that I am willing to go IF needed, but if they have plenty of volunteers I'm happy not to go.

Some off site activities I'd like school staff to see what DC make of them with out me there. This demonstrated to a teacher very clearly something I had tried to alert them to about my eldest in Yr 1. eldest will not be attending a similar off site activity this year.

Yes, I would, and do. I have been on several already. Last year when DS3 was in reception I accompanied his class to the local theatre to see the tiger who came to tea and to a children's farm. I also went with the year 1/2 class to a local nature reserve in connection to their nocturnal animals topic. This year I have been with the year 3/4 class to a roman fort and am due to go with Yr/1/2 to the theatre again :D I volunteer in school regularly anyway so all the kids know me and I 'know the ropes' so am useful to have around so I'm told :D

My children went to schools (and where I work is the same) where parent helpers were never put with their own children. I love school trips.

I tended not to because I think that it is good for them to go without me. I have done some, mainly the ones that don't involve coaches.

I think it is better not to have your own children.