Missing your child's assembilies

[akaMama]

I had an interview today for an administrators post in a school but unfortunately found that i would not be able to take any time off for childrens assembilies/sports day. This has made me sad and if I were to be offered the job will be reluctant to take it because of this.

Just want to know how other parents manage not being able to attend their children's school events. There is no one else that can go in my place so feel really guilty if I did take the job - if offered obviously!

Unfortunately I regularly miss things like these as do many parents I know. It seems odd that you think you should be able to take time off work for every school event. I believe most children will understand that their parents have to work. Maybe you and your childs father can book the odd day off for such events

I suppose I just thought I could take the time off in lieu and work it back. I really don't want to be unreasonable and would love the job just feel guilty on my children. Wanting to know how other parents manage it. Also just thought with it being a school they would place importance of children and families highly but maybe it's just their own and not mine!

Teachers never get to go to their own children's sports day etc., it's the nature of the job.

I suppose many teachers/school workers have children - if not most - and if you were to take all this time off, they would have to cover for you. It is one of the tough things about being a working parent, I'm afraid.

The only events I was able to attend were in the evenings. I didn't see any nativity plays or sports days.

I don't get to go, it is just life.
My DS understands that I can't make it to everything. He also finds it much more special at the events I do attend. His whole face lit up when he saw me at his nativity. Don't think he would have been half as bothered about me being there if I went to everything.

I am a TA, I hate missing things especially as DS was in juniors before I went back and DD in reception. I went for everything for him in infants and I get so upset that I can't.
There isn't an option to ask for the time and there is one rule for everyone from cleaners to SLT. ( although I am sure when the head works from home one afternoon in December and one in July she is actually at her childs school - I wouldn't want her workload though so I wouldn't say anything).
Not seeing things is the consequence of being there in the holidays and on my hours drop off and pick up. It is really a small price to pay.

I have a friend that works in a school. Always make sure I look out for her dc at concerts and take photos for her.
Not the same as mum being there but they always know they have someone watching them too.
It's a bitnof a pay off really. You get to spend time in the holidays with them but miss out on school stuff.

It is sad, but one of the sacrifices all mothers make from time to time. At least your child will not be alone in not having their DM there.

You need to weigh up the pros and cons. At least by working in a school you will be available in the majority of school holidays which is a great option to have.

I don't work I. A school and can usually attend things, but if I am already committed to a meeting and get short notice for school events, I cannot go either.

I'm glad you have the luxury of,turning down a job because of this, many don't. I would say in my school parents try and take time off for big events but small assemblies ect are attended by fewer parents and some gps go.

I'm a HT and I make sure that everyone who works in our school gets to go to the big things at their child's school - nativity play and sports day. I also try to make sure that they get to go if their child has a major starring/solo role in something. It isn't easy but the team all understand that its a give and take society in school - if they go to something today they may have to cover for someone else tomorrow.
Is it a solo office job? Maybe there's no one to actually cover.
Not being able to go to things is hard (even though I always let the staff go I have missed my own children's nativities etc). Can someone else go on your behalf - my kids would probably rather see their grandparents there than me anyway!!

Most jobs have advantages and disadvantages.
If you work in a school, in the vast majority of roles, you get long holidays, which are a godsend, but there are very, very few things you can take time off for - school assemblies being the least of them. You can't take time for weddings or funerals except for specific relations. Not for childcare if your dcs' school has different days from your school. Obv. not for holidays or a special day out, or to study for an exam, or to spend time with someone you don't see often, or to take your dc to university, or your parents to hospital appts., etc., etc.,etc.

You have to balance that against the fact you don't have to cover school holidays childcare as you do in most jobs.

My Head allows time off for nativities, concerts, sports days etc - I was given a day to take my son for his first day at school and pick him up. His philosophy is that it breeds loyalty. He's right!