Overnight school field trip vent

[va32h]

Well, if the "school" knew that the son ALREADY called his mother and therefore KNEW that HIS mother KNEW he had arrived safely and thus there was no NEED to call AGAIN , did they ask EVERY child if they had called their mothers and therefore then PROGRAMMED the automated system that actually MADE the phone call to only call the ones who DIDN'T call their mothers?

Who says the OP isn't over it? .

Are you over it?

You seem quite hysterical in your defense of a situation that doesn't involve you at all.

I have no idea if the teachers asked every student if they had called their mothers. What I do know is that the kid is there, is safe, and that there is very little point in flipping out over something that happened last night and cannot be changed.

 

[mommasita]

At this point, what I find sad is how we as PARENTS and/OR MOTHERS pick apart each others choices. I think it is a sad representation. Shouldn't we stand together, even if we have different viewpoints. Isn't there a way to get that across without name calling.

The OP did not go crazy, she seemed calm to me, and if she wan't, that is HER right.

She only asked opinions, and from that we have this.

 

[mickeyboat]

What I do know is that the kid is there, is safe, and that there is very little point in flipping out over something that happened last night and cannot be changed.

Maybe it is an indication that the school's notification policies need to change - so that every parent and child is clear about when and how they will be notified.

If they tell me they won't call unless there is a problem, fine. If they tell me they will call when they get there, I should be able to rely on that. If they tell me they expect the kids to use their cell phones to call me, fine with that, too - as long as the policy is made clear before they leave, and they follow that policy.

If I was a neurotic, helicopter parent, and allowed my child to attend sans cell phone because I was comfortable with whatever notification was promised, only to find that the chaperones did not follow-through with their policy, I have a right to question it.

Yes, there will be circumstances that are beyond control - ie arriving late. That is to be expected. But I don't think an hour delay should invalidate the policy.

Denae

 

[CathrynRose]

At this point, what I find sad is how we as PARENTS and/OR MOTHERS pick apart each others choices. I think it is a sad representation. Shouldn't we stand together, even if we have different viewpoints. Isn't there a way to get that across without name calling.

The OP did not go crazy, she seemed calm to me, and if she wan't, that is HER right.

She only asked opinions, and from that we have this.

I agree with you - It doesnt make me neurotic to expect a check in (especially when a kid is bussing to another state for crien out loud) Just because if wouldnt bother YOU, doesnt mean it wouldnt bother ME.

And for the helicopter mom references - please... I never put my kid in those lame helmets when they road bikes...or knee guards, or elbow guards.

They drink sugared, caffienated sodas too!!!

Beacuse this ONE thing is my 'weak' spot, Im a helicopter mom? Fine....whatever.


You might be fillpant about one thing, and I might be flippant about another - but it's unreal how everyone climbs out of the wood work here (and there) to let everyone know there's another one of those FREAK MOM posts again.

 

[Bichon Barb]

At this point, what I find sad is how we as PARENTS and/OR MOTHERS pick apart each others choices. I think it is a sad representation. Shouldn't we stand together, even if we have different viewpoints. Isn't there a way to get that across without name calling.

The OP did not go crazy, she seemed calm to me, and if she wan't, that is HER right.

She only asked opinions, and from that we have this.

OP asked if she was being unreasonable. Some of us think she was and have said so. I'm not going to lie and agree with someone just because we are sisters in motherhood--especially not when it's yet another thread knocking teachers/schools/administration. God bless these teachers that take these kids on trips! They should be patted on their backs instead of being ragged on.

 

[mommasita]

OP asked if she was being unreasonable. Some of us think she was and have said so. I'm not going to lie and agree with someone just because we are sisters in motherhood--especially not when it's yet another thread knocking teachers/schools/administration. God bless these teachers that take these kids on trips! They should be patted on their backs instead of being ragged on.

I understand disagreeing, but not name calling. Disagreeing with showing respect is one thing. Surely you can agree that there was MORE than that done on this thread. If you don't, so be it.

I do bless those who take the kids as well. They earn their money and then some. But, they are not perfect, and they as we do, make mistakes.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

You seem quite hysterical in your defense of a situation that doesn't involve you at all.

No, not hysterical. Just incredulous. Reading all the replies about how "Well, *I* don't expect the teacher to call when MY kid goes on a trip", etc, as if that means that someone who's been told they WILL get a phone call and doesn't is nuts...it's like something out of bizarro world.

 

[CathrynRose]

No, not hysterical. Just incredulous. Reading all the replies about how "Well, *I* don't expect the teacher to call when MY kid goes on a trip", etc, as if that means that someone who's been told they WILL get a phone call and doesn't is nuts...it's like something out of bizarro world.

I know. I guess thats what confuses me as well. They said they'd call.

Im kinda confused with the 'well, I'd be more angry if they didnt call by 10.30 and would have woke me up' Huh?



Ill be honest with you. ***hear the helicopter sounds*** I would have been waiting up for the call. I wouldnt have gone to bed. I would have been up. By 11.15 - the hotel would have been called...if not sooner. Thats me. Like I said, *my* weak spot.

My son traveled to Europe with a long time friend of his fathers, to meet up with his father (there on business) for a week. It was to have landed 12.30am, my time. 1am rolls around, 1.30 am.... I stayed up.... I stayed up until IMMIGRATION CALLED wanting to know who this man was he was traveling with. I stayed up even longer, cuz I still didnt speak with him. I stayed up until I talked to him (about 2am), and knew everything was hunky dory.

Helicopter fine.

 

[LisaNJ25]

We survived several day trips without cells or a parent msg. I don't see it as a big deal.

I agree.. we went on a camping trip and to DC in middle school and they never called home to let parents know when we got there.. We also had no cell phones than.

 

[MELSMICE]

I probably would have called the hotel to make sure they had arrived.

This is what I was thinking. If I was worried I would have called the hotel, however, the OP did get a call from her son.

The school or chaperones should have a number where you can reach them in an EMERGENCY only.

Once again, thinking the same thought. OP, do have #'s of chaperone's or an emergency # that you could have called?

I agree that the school didn't call when they said they would, however, I also see that they explained their reasoning. The OP knew her son arrived fine & I'm sure most the other parents did also because of cell phones, so I just don't understand being upset.

I couldn't be bothered getting in a tizzy about this, personally.

 

[Shutterbug]

Am just going to add my comment with others...about the world surviving just fine before cell phones....

 

[MushyMushy]

At this point, what I find sad is how we as PARENTS and/OR MOTHERS pick apart each others choices. I think it is a sad representation. Shouldn't we stand together, even if we have different viewpoints. Isn't there a way to get that across without name calling.

The OP did not go crazy, she seemed calm to me, and if she wan't, that is HER right.

She only asked opinions, and from that we have this.

I think people are being purposefully dense here. The new buzzword these days is "helicoptering" (oh and hey, I'm totally guilty of using it a time or two ) and everyone's jumping on that bandwagon no matter what the circumstances.

No, not hysterical. Just incredulous. Reading all the replies about how "Well, *I* don't expect the teacher to call when MY kid goes on a trip", etc, as if that means that someone who's been told they WILL get a phone call and doesn't is nuts...it's like something out of bizarro world.

I don't care who you are or what you're doing. If you tell me you're going to call me under a certain circumstance, then you better call me. If you don't, you're rude.

I don't see why that is so hard to grasp.

 

[MM27]

my class went to Williamsburg when I was in 5th grade. The last contact we or the school had with parents was when we pulled out of the parking lot at the school. It was a 5 day trip and I don't think anyone called home. We talked to the parents again when the bus pulled in the lot on the last day.

 

[daisyduck123]

Not sure how I feel about this....I guess that if parents agree to let their child go on the trip, then you are in agreement in thinking that your child will be safe. If you're going to worry about your child each minute & be in a constant state of stress...then I wouldn't send him.

 

[CathrynRose]

If you don't, you're rude.

I don't see why that is so hard to grasp.

You said it yourself... thats why its hard to grasp. *ahem*

 

[manning]

The answer to communicating the arrival is so simple.

Of course you have to have the setup we have.

There is a phone number assigned to communicate school closings and other events.

The solution. The person in charge on the trip dials in the number and leaves a message.

"this is to inform you we arrived at the hotel at 11:30 pm. All is well"

 

[SandiH]

Although I would have been waiting for a phone call and getting antsy as the hour went by (just my nature - a worrier), I would have been fine once my child called me or I called the hotel and knew all was well. If the school was supposed to call, then the school should have called. However, I would not have been bothered by the fact the school didn't call because my child would have called me when he arrived. The way I see it, some people were probably bothered because the school didn't call and some probably would have been bothered if they received a call after 11:30 at night. By the time the chaperons got everyone settled in and were able to call the messaging service, it MIGHT have been even later.

 

[Doe]

OP, I can see why this would bother you because the school said they'd call and they didn't till the next morning. At least your son was able to call you so I wouldn't have been to bothered by the fact they didn't call until next morning.

Our 6th graders in our school district go to a science camp for 5 days, 3hrs away every fall. You drop them off Monday morning and don't hear a word until they get off the bus Friday afternoon. Same thing when my son goes to cross country meets out of state. If there's a problem I know I'll get a call.