Are Schools Set Up for Stay-At-Home Parents?

August 17, 2008

When a child enters school it's quite a commitment for parents. While most moms and dads want to be involved in their offspring's education, it gets hard to pencil in all the activities as the majority of the sports sign-ups, teacher conferences, holiday parties, plays and field trips are during regular academic hours. Some parents set on taking an active role are forced to use all their vacation to attend those "not to be missed" moments. Even stay-at-home parents have to find sitters for their other children to make it to some of these occasions. Do you wish your child's school were more family friendly?
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17 Comments

asco00 4 years 38 weeks

I agree with Greggie, it's not that schools cater to stay-at-home parents, things are done during school hours. I have lots of friends who are teachers. They already give a lot of unpaid time to their classrooms to make them the best possible. Many times these activities don't allow siblings, which mean stay at home parents also have to find childcare or have the working parent take time off as well. I think everyone is in a similar boat.

kikidawn 4 years 39 weeks

A big draw to becoming a teacher is the family time you get. Very very true Greggie. To me family is the most important thing in my life and the reason you stated is one reason I am going to be a teacher.

kikidawn 4 years 39 weeks

<b>A big draw to becoming a teacher is the family time you get.</b>Very very true Greggie. To me family is the most important thing in my life and the reason you stated is one reason I am going to be a teacher.

Greggie 4 years 39 weeks

If they're willing, sure. But I personally don't want to take them away from their family time. I don't see how that's fair. If I put in my full work day and then had to go back to accomodate other working people, I'd resent losing my own family time. I'd resent it a lot. A big draw to becoming a teacher is the family time you get. I agree that a lot of community programs cater to the stay at home mom, but I just think that's the way it is. Not favoring one over the other, just doing things the best way possible. They tried doing evening classes here and ended up spending a lot more than they took in. People just weren't willing to work all day and then be out at night as well, so the classes only had a few students. By the time they paid extended hours for teachers, the increased utility bill for the building being open more hours, etc, they lost a ton of money. I don't take offense to them deciding not to do that again.

Greggie 4 years 39 weeks

roxtarchic 4 years 39 weeks

and i would be HAPPY to pay the overtime to teachers if they provided some overtime to working parents... i'd pay it to them and i'm sure other working parents would also.

roxtarchic 4 years 39 weeks

I'm finding that even these mommy & me... or music together type programs are also not working family friendly. They're all during the week... I have found one, but it's not even in the next town, it's farther & there are all these programs IN OUR TOWN and none of them provide sat or sun hours. It's really upsetting. Our library DOES have a pajama story time, and we were thrilled to be able to attend that. (they only had three of them and only do it in the summer but i'll take it)!!!

kwest3 4 years 39 weeks

i agree that teachers shouldn't be expected to stay late, or come in on weekends...however, i also don't think working moms should be made to feel guilty that they can't always chaperone on trips or "volunteer" once a week to read to the kids. we have a large contingent of stay at home parents (yes, they both stay home) where i live and it's really tough to look at your child and say "sorry, i'll be the only mom that won't be there today." and we also have a ridiculous amount of midweek evening concerts, arts nights, conferences, etc. these tend to run at least 2 hours. i love my kids, but after working 10 hours and then racing home to feed them a frozen pizza so we can get to school in time for 2 hours of holiday songs (with toddler in tow) you start to feel a little resentful. i have to imagine the teachers feel the same way.and i'm a preschool teacher.

kwest3 4 years 39 weeks

shoogerbooger 4 years 39 weeks

My son isn't in school yet, but I know it will be rough when the time comes. I agree with Greggie 100% that school does not "cater to stay-at-home Moms," it just does things during school hours and I don't expect this to change.

Greggie 4 years 39 weeks

I think it would be totally unfair to make teachers work late or on weekends. School doesn't cater to stay at home parents, it simply does things during school hours. I definitely wouldn't want it changed. Besides, my husband's a teacher. So if they changed this all, he'd still miss everything and more.

Greggie 4 years 39 weeks

I think it would be totally unfair to make teachers work late or on weekends. School doesn't cater to stay at home parents, it simply does things during school hours. I definitely wouldn't want it changed.Besides, my husband's a teacher. So if they changed this all, he'd still miss everything and more.

stephley 4 years 39 weeks

I wish it was easier for working parents, but I don't feel that teachers should have to make sacrifices to make it easier so I think we're stuck with what we've got.

mrtruman 4 years 39 weeks

Public school teachers cannot be forced to attend evening activities (besides the annual open house night) unless they are given a stipend to do so. For instance, faculty attendance at plays and talent shows is optional. However, as a teacher who is now also a parent I can sympathize as I must use personal days in order to volunteer at my daughter's school functions or attend things that occur during the school day. It's a tough situation and I'd love to hear what people think can be done to address it.

jennifer76 4 years 39 weeks

Well, in all fairness there are a lot more parents at any given school than teachers. It doesn't seem quite right to put the burden solely on the parents. And it really sucks for the kids whose parents can't get out of work and can't make it to daytime events. I'm not sure how to remedy the situation, though.

jennifer76 4 years 39 weeks

Well, in all fairness there are a lot more parents at any given school than teachers. It doesn't seem quite right to put the burden solely on the parents. And it really sucks for the kids whose parents <em>can't</em> get out of work and can't make it to daytime events.I'm not sure how to remedy the situation, though.

kmckay 4 years 39 weeks

i understand that this is tough for many parents. however as a teacher, i do not see how we could remedy this. if we do all special activities at night, we're working with not getting paid and we're taking time away from OUR families. teachers have to put in enough extra unpaid hours (conferences, open houses, etc.) so i don't think it would be fair to add more after hours events.

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