Girl Scout Daisy Meeting Question

[HLAuburn]

Need some advice about a Daisy troop meeting...

We just started up a new troop and our meetings are held in a K-8 school cafeteria. There are at least 2 other troops meeting there at the same time, but we all managed to take a corner of the room, so it worked out pretty well.

The "problem" we ran into was with the parents. These are K and 1st graders and it was our first meeting, so obviously some parents like to stay for the meeting. However, the parents pretty much sat right next to us and sort of awkwardly observed. If they were actively helping, it would be one thing, but they just sat and watched us and as new leaders with a new troop, it was a little uncomfortable for us. There were also some siblings there that interjected themselves into the meeting, wanting to participate and asking for food etc. Some of the girls also seemed distracted with the parents being there, on occasion leaving the group to go talk to/ sit with the mom or dad during the meeting.

So...we are going to encourage parents to drop the girls off, but knowing that won't work for everyone, I am trying to come up with a nice way to "ask" the parents to sit far away! We have to be careful that they don't get in the way of the other troops, but as leaders, we all agree that they need to be away from the meeting. If you go to a dance class or gymnastics, you usually watch from outside the room, so I don't think it's too much to ask that they're not right on top of us, but I need help saying it in a nice way

Thanks!!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Can you, perhaps working with the leaders of the other troops, set up a "parents'and siblings' waiting area" in the corner of the room no troop uses? Set up a table or two, put out coloring pages and crayons for the siblings, etc

Then send out a nice note or email saying that you understand that often parents have nowhere else to be for such a short time, or that they feel more comfortable when the can observe their child participating, but that it is also important for the girls to not be distracted by their siblings or parents nearby during meetings so you are requesting that any parents or siblings who wish to stay around remain at the waiting area.

 

[PollyannaMom]

I like the waiting area idea too!

 

[aprilgail2]

Can you, perhaps working with the leaders of the other troops, set up a "parents'and siblings' waiting area" in the corner of the room no troop uses? Set up a table or two, put out coloring pages and crayons for the siblings, etc

Then send out a nice note or email saying that you understand that often parents have nowhere else to be for such a short time, or that they feel more comfortable when the can observe their child participating, but that it is also important for the girls to not be distracted by their siblings or parents nearby during meetings so you are requesting that any parents or siblings who wish to stay around remain at the waiting area.

We never had one parent stay even when they were daisys in my daughters troop and certainly never siblings, we would never have allowed siblings there- what a distraction to the kids! You should start giving clean up jobs to every parent that stays, you will see how quick they would no longer stay!

 

[DopeyDame]

Love the waiting area idea. I think you need to be direct and specific in what they can and can't do, and work with the other leaders so you all ahve the same rules.

Absolutely no siblings participating in the troop activities (you can blame that on the council if you don't want to be the "bad guy" because I'm positive they have a rule about only registered scouts participating).
Parents who are not actively involved in assisting with the activities need to allow their child independence by staying in the waiting area or running and errand or whatever.
Maybe have a sign in sheet where parents can list the best number to call during the meeting. Not that you'd ever need their phone numbers, but it might make them feel better that you can quickly get a hold of them if needed.

And thanks for volunteering to lead the troop!

 

[Gracie09]

We were told no parents at the Daisy meetings unless there was a special need child that need support. The meetings unfortunately are while I am at work, but our nanny takes our girls and drops them off at the meeting room and sits in the other part of the library until the girls are dismissed.

 

[Airship Ariadne]

Our girls are Cadettes, and we started as Brownies (back when Daisies were only for Kinder and Brownies started in 1st grade) and I have to say, it is a typical growing pain you are seeing...BUT I would suggest the "waiting area" as well, but make good use of it...down the road, you are going to need their help, make the waiting area a place they can get things done....prepare supplies for the next meeting's activity, coordinate calendars, select who would prepare or bring snack next meeting if you have snack. Why should you have to waste time leading up to a meeting preparing supplies for a badge or Journey activity if the parents can work on them the meeting beforehand (and get it done faster with many hands to the pumps)?

The siblings are an issue, and this might also help by keeping them busy as well...maybe bring some coloring books to occupy their time.

With our troop, the parents stayed 9 time out of 10, and that was good, the additional brains in on planning and preparation certainly helped.

And yes...I am the troop leader...DW assists (another parent is the "co-leader" on paper, but since she won't camp, DW handles the campouts).

But come cookie-time, it is always nice to have parents feel part of the troop, since you will be turning to them to do some of the major work there.

 

[frostedpink]

My DD is in Daisies as well. Our group leaders hold the meetings at an off-site location (the local community center). They pick the girls up at school and drive them to to the community center for the meeting. Then we pick them up an hour later. This pretty much eliminates even the possibility of parents showing up with siblings to observe. It seems to work well.

 

[anniemae]

I think since it's in a cafeteria it is more difficult. My dd did Daisys and it was held in a classroom after school from 3-4. Since it was in a room, they closed the door and if you came to pick up early, you were forced to wait in the hall.

Since you can't do that, I would do as others suggested and set up a waiting corner, or if you can, set it up outside the cafeteria so they can wait out there. You could say something like, " We have set up a waiting area for parents and siblings who must wait during the meeting. To avoid any distractions, we are asking everyone to wait at the designated tables until the meeting is done."

Much better to set it up outside the cafeteria so you won't have sibs running up during the meeting. If they do, you will have to keep shooing them back to the waiting table.

 

[storzo]

I used to take my friend's daughter to meetings because they were held while she worked. I stayed because for me by the time I got back home it would be time to go pick her up again. But the troop met in the gym and the parents or whoever that stayed (there were a few) had to wait in the teacher's lounge. We chatted amongst ourselves or read or did whatever. Any siblings also had to stay in the lounge and were mostly kept busy with handheld video games.

Maybe the school you meet at can arrange for a classroom or lounge to be open on your meeting dates.

 

[anniemae]

An empty room would also work well as the pp stated. Ask the school if parents could use the library or a classroom to sit and wait.

 

[disneymom2evie]

I'm a co-troop leader for my daughters Brownie troop. Our council told us that the only way a parent can stay at the meeting is to first, become a girl scout and then they need to fill out a volunteer form. ANYONE (all parents included) who will be anywhere around our girls have to pass a background check. We hold our meetings in the music room at my daughters school. It begins 15 minutes after class lets out that way it gives the girls who attend a different school enough time to get there. The girls who attend HIE (daughters school... honey island elementary) sit in the room and do homework. Parents hung out at the first meeting but then we had to explain to them the rules and that they can have a seat in the hallway outside or on the benches by the office. Because of that rule, we have a LOT of parent volunteers. I think 4 more women signed up to help out which is definitely needed now that I'm pregnant and suffering from major morning sickness.

 

[Shanna-like-Banana]

Hi there, I am a Cadette & Senior leader (01)

According to Safety Wise any adults present must be registered and have completed their background checks also, everybody, yes that means parents who are " just helpers"

Also I can just about guarantee your councils insurance on your site does not cover tag-a-longs .

So your choices are to set out the registration forms and start giving them responsibilities to take on.

You don't want to totally fend off the parents. It needs to be a working relationship. You are going to need them for things during the year, but you have to be on the one to set the boundaries.

If you feel like this is something that would turn into a confrontation, have your CDM or Membership specialist swing by one of the meetings with the registration forms.

 

[MrsPete]

Make a list of things that need doing: Cutting out this or that for the next meeting, writing thank you notes, etc.

Send home a note saying that for future meetings you'll provide a "waiting spot" over on the other side . . . explain that it takes lots of effort to keep a troop going, and you'll appreciate moms who stay PITCHING IN AND HELPING WITH THEIR DAUGHTERS' TROOP!

They'll find another area.