Maybe this does not go here, but I think Moms who have more than 1 preschool aged child plus children under the age of preschool could quite possibly be the only understanding party to what I'm about to vent off about...

Mother's Day Program announcement on 1 sheet of paper. All the same text and font... After listing the classes and what days, reports the following.

"The students will perform and there will be light refreshments.
This is a special time for you and your child. If it is possible for you to attend without other siblings, you child would have a chance to shine."

WTH!!!

First off, I have 2 children at that school performing on the same day at the same time (I'm not the only one) -- how is one going to "shine" more than the other??? And second, why aren't siblings encouraged to learn to be happy at their older siblings accomplishments?

I think I'm really just irritated that it is implied that my children can't "have a chance to shine" if their siblings are there. What was the director thinking when she wrote this???

We are a family and we teach our children to love and respect the others. Taking siblings to events for other siblings teaches them to be happy and excited for each other's accomplishments. It also teaches them behavior skills, such as quiet voices, clapping, etc. I take all of the little ones to see their oldest brother receive his honor roll award each quarter.

I'm not about to leave my newborn with anyone while I attend a Mother's Day Program for my 2 in the preschool. I don't have anyone I'd leave him with anyway. Chances are pretty good that he'll nurse and sleep unnoticed in my sling.

Any field trips for them, I have to attend, so I've always brought the other's with me. Last year I had to bring a friend's 2 children to the Mother's Day Program b/c I had volunteered to watch them until she found better child care. They didn't speak a word, were well mannered and sat on the floor in the back of the room.

A preschool promoting anti-kid friendly practices really gets me. It just seems like so so so many things are now so not kid friendly. Doctors don't want the extra kids in the room, WW don't want you to bring a child with you, stores at the mall are impossible to push a stroller through to buy anything (several don't get my business anymore), and I don't voluteer at my oldest school b/c siblings are not allowed.

I have to go be a loving mommy right now and get over this stupid preschool thing. Thanks for reading.

Ugh that would make me mad too. Have you talked to the preschool about that yet. I would plan on taking my children to the event.

I dropped out as a Girl Scout Leader because years ago they would say no tags to events and we do things as a family.

Aww man, that STINKS with a capitol S!!! I would def. call and let them know that you will be bringing your children so that they can enjoy their sibs and that is how you do things!!!

Allison, I was just about to say the same about GS! They are supposed to be taking a trip 1.5 hours away and I asked if I could come too (but that means bringing all the other children) and she said, "Well, you can come if you want to BUT Girl scouts is about breaking away and doing things without the family!!!"

WTH????? Family is what we are ALL about!! I encourage my children to be together and support each other whenever possible.. We all try to attend every function, sporting event, etc that another has... even if we don't really want to because it is important to that ONE child for someone to be there supporting him!! Heck, my mom and dad travel 45 minutes for just about all these functions too! No matter how small!!

Sorry, I am waaay stealing your thread to vent but I can relate and just wouldn't stand for any of that "leave the children at home" nonsense. This isn't an adult seminar or anything!

Since it was worded like you quote, I don't think they're saying you CAN'T bring your others - just that they'd prefer you didn't. Maybe they've had a problem with rowdy kids in the past, distracting the performers?

However, this was one of my huge problems with my DDs' school - one would have a field trip, no other kids allowed, and WTH am I supposed to do?? :(
It stinks, for sure.

Count me in as another that totally agrees with you. Big problem with me, non-family friendly. Especially when it has to do with children. Just don't understand that. Side effect of this individualistic to an extreme society. Argh.

It would bother me. Just another example to support the fact that we live in a world that is not family-friendly.

Take 'em anyway.

It would bother me. Just another example to support the fact that we live in a world that is not family-friendly.

Take 'em anyway.


:agreed: :agreed: i came across this problem too when my kids were in public school, i dont have a baby sitter and truthfully my other children all love to watch their siblings do something that makes them proud and enjoyed the show as much as me, then on the way home we all get to talk and praise the preformer. It adds to the wonderful memory, not detracts from it.

Wow, I couldn't imagine that. Only once have I attended a school activity without my kids & that was because no one wanted to go. I actually have the local public school beg for me to bring my kids (my foster kids are in school, they know I homes-school all but my oldest-she chose to go to High-School when entering grade 9). If there is a play or other school activity planned all my kids are welcome. We've even had to bring them to my Dd's high-school Parent/Teacher interviews. We get the comment that my kids are better behaved than the high-school kids are. Even had an extra two I was babysitting for attend as well. The High-School teachers have called to ask me if we could please bring our family and that if we did they would give us a discount on our tickets!! We've gone to activities where we made up 25% of the attendees! We get asked to help at a lot of activities in the community as well as many hands make for light work. Recently we were asked if we could please come to a local musical! Our librarian calls me if I miss two story times in a row because we make her numbers look REALLY good!

I have others apologize in asking only one or two of our kids, thinking the other kids will feel left out. I remind people that we aren't a "herd" of horses and that in fact there are things the kids do seperately and they most certainly understand when some or one is invited & the others aren't. Heck there is still always someone else at home to hang out with!!
Kerri mom to:

Amanda(17), Emma(15), Maddison(13), foster dd(12),
Jonah(10), foster ds(10), Saige & Claire(7, identical twin girls), foster dd(6),
foster ds(5), my little boy Teagan(3) PLUS: 2 horses, 1 pony, 3 dogs, 2
cats, 1bunny rabbit, 4 guinea pigs, 3 rats( one is naked!), 1 teddy bear
hamster & 3 dwarf hamsters & fostering a fuzzy orange tabby
kitten

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