Comments on: Four For Friday: HS ‘Pregnancy Pact,’ Michelle Obama Shops at Target, ‘Swingtown’ Rocks the 70s and Room Parent Conundrum http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/picketfencepost/2008/06/20/four-for-friday-hs-pregnancy-pact-michelle-obama-shops-at-target-swingtown-rocks-the-70s-and-room-parent-conundrum/ Peek behind the picket fences . . . where over-caffeinating is a competitive sport and parenting is distinctly imperfect. Mon, 1 Dec 2008 22:45:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Kris Spazz http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/picketfencepost/2008/06/20/four-for-friday-hs-pregnancy-pact-michelle-obama-shops-at-target-swingtown-rocks-the-70s-and-room-parent-conundrum/#comment-197 Kris Spazz Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:12:07 +0000 http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/picketfencepost/?p=79#comment-197 I see. It doesn't seem like you're completely sold on the role (?) Maybe asking another parent to be a co-room parent would help divy up the work. When do you need to decide? I see.
It doesn’t seem like you’re completely sold on the role (?)
Maybe asking another parent to be a co-room parent would help divy up the work.
When do you need to decide?

]]> By: Meredith http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/picketfencepost/2008/06/20/four-for-friday-hs-pregnancy-pact-michelle-obama-shops-at-target-swingtown-rocks-the-70s-and-room-parent-conundrum/#comment-189 Meredith Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:20:28 +0000 http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/picketfencepost/?p=79#comment-189 One example of the "madness" comes in the form of having to coordinate three parties (or "events") in the span of less than three weeks at the end of the school year in ONE classroom, where the poor room parents had to request volunteers and supplies for each. Maybe the "influence" part could come in if the room parent(s) would be able to gently suggest (with fingers crossed) that maybe three celebrations could be combined. That's just one example. Don't get me wrong, room parents do a ton of work for which they don't get enough credit (but get plenty of grief). I don't fault them for the nuttiness that comes in the form of many, many classroom "celebrations" for which the the room parents have to coordinate and solicit stuff. I'm still on the fence. One example of the “madness” comes in the form of having to coordinate three parties (or “events”) in the span of less than three weeks at the end of the school year in ONE classroom, where the poor room parents had to request volunteers and supplies for each. Maybe the “influence” part could come in if the room parent(s) would be able to gently suggest (with fingers crossed) that maybe three celebrations could be combined. That’s just one example.

Don’t get me wrong, room parents do a ton of work for which they don’t get enough credit (but get plenty of grief). I don’t fault them for the nuttiness that comes in the form of many, many classroom “celebrations” for which the the room parents have to coordinate and solicit stuff.

I’m still on the fence.

]]> By: Kris Spazz http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/picketfencepost/2008/06/20/four-for-friday-hs-pregnancy-pact-michelle-obama-shops-at-target-swingtown-rocks-the-70s-and-room-parent-conundrum/#comment-184 Kris Spazz Sat, 21 Jun 2008 18:48:34 +0000 http://www.wickedlocalparents.com/picketfencepost/?p=79#comment-184 I was a co-room parent for my son's kindergarten class this past year. Keep in mind I handled only half of the work with the other co-room parent. Could you please specify what you mean about, "put an end to some of the madness" and "try to influence things for the good"? As room parent(s), you are typically the voice and the middleman for the teacher. If the teacher needs holiday party supplies donated by parents, you will likely be the one to contact parents for these supplies. If a teacher needs parent volunteers on a one-time or a regular basis, you will probably organize this, etc. Most of your work as room parent can be done via email (usually). Maybe the role as room parent differs greatly from your town to mine. Is there much more expected from this role in your town? I'm wondering where the "influence" part comes in? As a side note, my son's 3rd (4th, and so on) grade classes do not even have room parents. Maybe that's good...may not. :) I was a co-room parent for my son’s kindergarten class this past year. Keep in mind I handled only half of the work with the other co-room parent.

Could you please specify what you mean about, “put an end to some of the madness” and “try to influence things for the good”? As room parent(s), you are typically the voice and the middleman for the teacher. If the teacher needs holiday party supplies donated by parents, you will likely be the one to contact parents for these supplies. If a teacher needs parent volunteers on a one-time or a regular basis, you will probably organize this, etc. Most of your work as room parent can be done via email (usually).

Maybe the role as room parent differs greatly from your town to mine. Is there much more expected from this role in your town? I’m wondering where the “influence” part comes in?

As a side note, my son’s 3rd (4th, and so on) grade classes do not even have room parents. Maybe that’s good…may not.
:)

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