Have you ever noticed on a field trip the parents take over the class?
By mommaj
@mommaj (23112)
United States
May 1, 2009 3:52pm CST
I went on this field trip today. I unfortunately don't know how much control the teacher has over this class but she didn't exert any effort today. Before the trip her classroom was extremely noisy. She didn't bother to quiet anyone. Then on the trip she had this one child that she just picked out and labeled her bad. I don't know what the child did. All the other kids were doing the same things she did at the same time so I don't know why she was singled out. I hung back for the most part because heck, we just moved here three weeks ago and I'm certainly not going to tell a teacher she doesn't know her job. This teacher is an okay teacher. I think she thinks my daughter is behind. I thought she might be because of moving from a different state but I am sorry to say she is at the same level or ahead of them. She gets bored and won't do her work so I don't know what they are going to do with her. It's not because she doesn't know how, it's because she is lazy and she even admits to that. She doesn't WANT to do it.
Anyway though while we were on this field trip we had a married couple lead us around the zoo. They gave an awesome tour job though. Then we had two other mothers, one who would ask for someone else to be responsible and the other didn't control her own kid much less anyone else's. It was a great trip though as far as field trips go.
2 people like this
5 responses
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
2 May 09
Was this your first school field trip?
Every field trip I have ever went on is always crazy because you have excited children & we all know what just one excited kid can do, so I would say it's normal for this behavior on class trips with more then one excited child.
Also, I'm not sure how all schools work, but here, every class field trip that was planned, the school would also have certain parents that wanted to sign up to be a teachers guide/helper for that day. So maybe the parents that were taking charge were just doing what they signed up for... ?
Also, teachers can get a little off track themself on field trip days, so maybe it was just everything put together that made the day wild...
1 person likes this
@Foxxee (3651)
• United States
5 May 09
Yes I have been on many & usually it is crazy for everyone.
I do know that parents had to bring their own car & couldn't ride on the bus with the teacher & students for some school safety rule they now do here & the student couldn't ride with the parents because the teacher was in charge of the students during the bus ride & it was easier for head count.
ANother thing was that once the parents all met up with teacher & students, the groups were divided & the parents that did sign up to help were also in charge of a small group.
The main reason I never signed up was because when you do sign up you do sign something stating you are in charge of those few kids & if something happens, then well, I'm to blame... didn't want that over my head... so basicly whatever group my kid is in, I just tagged with them... but didn't take charge when it came to other kids.
I guess every school has their own system... whatever works I guess is fine with me...
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
2 May 09
This was my second. My child is in kindergarten. So I guess in response to my question have you ever noticed on a field trip parents take over the class. Your answer would have been you have been on numerous field trips and that has always happened? I kind of guessed as much. I am a little surprised that teachers get lax on field trips because they are ultimately responsible for 18-25 students going and coming. Thanks for your response. I know the children are excited and since they are in school with some type of discipline in place I would expect a little control so it doesn't get "out of hand". That's interesting that parents sign up to be a guide/helper. Usually here the parents just sign up to go on the field trip with the understanding they will have a group of kids to try to keep together. The parents usually don't have to do anything but make sure little Johnny doesn't run away or get snatched during the day. Here the parents CAN'T put a child in time out or anything like that. They are just escorts. Law suit city otherwise. The kids really weren't that bad. They all tried to get into a sandbox at one point but other than that they were okay.
1 person likes this
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
2 May 09
I have helped on field trips several times since my children began going to school. One of the first things I always do with a new teacher is ask how she would like for me to help her or if there is a certain way that she would like to have things done. I tend to be one of those parents who treats all the children the same way I treat my own child.
On every field trip I have helped with the children are always excited to begin with. The younger children are harder to manage then the older ones. As for your daughter getting bored at school maybe you could suggest that the teacher challenge your child more.
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
3 May 09
I'm not 100% sure what the teacher thinks of my daughter because at times it sounds like she thinks she is behind. Then she said she tested her and she did really good on the dibbles test. I think she thinks my daughter just doesn't know how to do what ever she isn't doing.
I treat all children the same as well. I think most parents that volunteer do. You have to love kids not just your kids to volunteer. I couldn't do anything on the field trip anyway because my background check hadn't came back yet. I wasn't supposed to help at all. I was just supposed to be there for my daughter which I was and I loved every minute of it! The kids were so funny to watch and then watching how everyone else reacted or didn't react was entertainment in itself.
I think it's always good to ask a teacher how she wants you to do things, especially here. There are so many funny "supposed to know" things. Mostly you just have to be security conscious.
1 person likes this
@ballchick (12)
• Spain
11 May 09
As as teacher, i have a policy, as have the schools that i have worked in. the policy is not to have parents from your own class to take part in school visits. this is primarliy because of risk assessment guielines- where the paret would be liable to help their own child out of an acciedent rather than all of the children- natural parenting instinct. i have also had parents trying to tll me how to do my job- which i not very helpful either. So personally i do not agree that parents should go on school visits with their own child.
As far as your daughters education goes, you should definately talk to the class teacher. express your concerns that your daughter is bored and can't be bothered to do the work. ask if there is a possibiity of her being challenged and maybe given extra homework? if that does not work then go and see the head teacher of the school and express your concerns there or even request that she is moved class.
@Brandiewynne (71)
• United States
1 May 09
I used to teach preschool children and from my experiance, the children tend to push their limits when Mom or Dad is around. I found it easier to let the parents that came with us be in control of their own children and stay with the children that had no one with them. This seemed to make it easier on everyone. The children that were with me knew what was expected and I could explain the other's behavior if it seemed out of control.
You do get parents that become offended if you correct their child when they are there, so sometimes it is better for all to let the child run amuck for their parents.
I am very glad that you both enjoyed the field trip. That is the important thing. Have fun on the next one too!!
1 person likes this
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
1 May 09
I've been on two now with two different schools and both were the same where parents parented everyone's children and the teacher just hung back. I was wondering if this is the norm.
The trip was great. I didn't feel like I needed to be responsible because my background check wasn't cleared yet so I didn't have charge of a group anyway. I was there to be with my daughter which was extremely nice since I don't get to be with just her anymore because her brother is autistic and I have to take so much time with him. It was like I got to have my "little girl" again.
1 person likes this
@Brandiewynne (71)
• United States
1 May 09
That is the important part. I'm glad that you could spend this time with her.Hopefully you will be able to do it again soon !!
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