OT: Why are all the working moms running our PTA?

[sara74]

I feel like this entire thread is once again about women working against women again!

I agree! Not sure why anyone cares who runs the PTA - so long as they are PARENTS, right?

Last I checked no one was more or less of a parent simply for holding a job outside the home.

Not sure why this always seems to happen....

It happened on this thread because the thread was started based on a fundamental distinction between SAH vs WOH parents. A distinction should be largely irrelevant in our dealings with each other as parents!

Can't we all just get along?

 

[jodifla]

I agree! Not sure why anyone cares who runs the PTA - so long as they are PARENTS, right?

Last I checked no one was more or less of a parent simply for holding a job outside the home.



It happened on this thread because the thread was started based on a fundamental distinction between SAH vs WOH parents. A distinction should be largely irrelevant in our dealings with each other as parents!

Can't we all just get along?

OP here. I feel I asked a pretty valid question, and all the posters I feel have done a great job of keeping it on task.

It looks like some PTAs sort of break to the SAHMs, and others go toward more the working parents....I was curious as to why this happens.

 

[DISNEYFOS]

Just curious how you know whether they are sahm or working moms?

Are the working moms required to wear a big "W" on their chest.

I'm on the board of directors for my daughters preschool, I didn't think to go to each of the parents present and ask "what do you do all day" Guess I didn't think it was relevant.

 

[jodifla]

Just curious how you know whether they are sahm or working moms?

Are the working moms required to wear a big "W" on their chest.

I'm on the board of directors for my daughters preschool, I didn't think to go to each of the parents present and ask "what do you do all day" Guess I didn't think it was relevant.

Because it came up in coversation, as everyone was comparing schedules about who could do what when.....


And that's when I found it surprisiing that so many of the people in leadership roles were also working outside the home (obviously, all mothers "work"). I had thought they'd be more SAHM mom run....and maybe my next one will be.

I was curious about people's experiences.....

 

[dahrjo]

Our PTA alternates monthly between 1:00 meetings and 7:00 pm meetings. For the evening meetings they offer childcare. Usually, some older kids that just do activities with the kids and keep them busy. It works out well.

 

[kribit]

The PTO/PTA Mom's are one big happy clique

This is sad, but unfortunately very true.

 

[jodifla]

This is sad, but unfortunately very true.

Really? I wonder if people think we're a clique....really, we're happy for any volunteers who are available.

An earlier poster mentioned that parents do things that the PTA folks don't see. I'm sure that's true. It still feels like overall participation is at that famed 20 percent level....

 

[kribit]

My children aren't even elementary school age, but I do think (based on friends that volunteer), that people from the outside think PTO's in general are like cliques from middle school days. It's really too bad, because I know PTO's are very helpful, but that "clique designation" really deters people from participating.

Where aren't there cliques though? We have them on the Disboards and most of us don't even know each other personally.

 

[jcc0621]

My DS is 3 1/2 and is currently in Daycare, because yes I have to work. As do most of the mom's and dad's who have their children in the school where he attends. The problem our daycare director has is parents not colunteering for anything. As an example, this past Thanksgiving she sent a note home and had a sign up sheet in the school requesting that peole volunteer to make smething for the kids "Thanksgiving Party" (held the week before Thanksgiving. Me and one other mother are the only one's who volunteered. Between the 2 of us we wound up making Thanksgiving dinner for 50 kids (not counting the infants obviously). I am sorry but even a working mom can volunteer to bring in can of corn or some frozen green beans. This is what frustrates me the most. I know before anyone says it, I could have said no too, but I didn't want the kids to be disappointed.

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

At my kids' school --the PTO is all SAHM -- to the exclusion of those few of us working moms. (Except when they want us to write out those nice big checks). All meetings and activities are held during the school day -- so we either have to take off work or miss the activity.

I have a problem with them holding PTO meetings at 2:00 pm at a local restaurant. I have a problem with them doing PTO activities (like decorate-a-tile) during school hours rather than at night (how it used to be). I have a problem that every time they ask for volunteers it is during the school day.
When I asked the PTO president why everything was done during the school day -- her answer -- we don't want to give up our weekends. Well, that's fine for them but what about the rest of us.

Sorry -- this is my rant as a working mom.

This is how it is at my son's school too. I used to take time off work to go on all the field trips when DS was younger, but the sahm's wouldn't talk to those of us that work outside the home. Very rarely do you find a working mom volunteering for anything at DS's school anymore. The SAHM's have pushed everyone else out.