School social

When I was a mum to babies and toddlers I had this idea that once they went to school I would have ALL this time on my hands. From 9am until 3pm they would be tucked up at school learning and I would be free to do something un-kid related. I never even contemplated after-hours school events.

I've since realised that was a complete dream. You see school and preschool these days has become a timetabled jumble of meetings, social events, days, etc, etc.

Back when I was a kid, my parents were asked to come to school just a handful of times a year - Easter Hat Parade, Education Week and Speech Day (possibly a Carols night thrown in there). There may have been a school fete once a year too. My mum did a couple of extra things like helping a struggling boy with reading and working in the canteen.

So far for Lil-lil in her first term of school the parents have been asked to attend:

• a welcome morning tea, 
• a welcome BBQ on a Friday night, 
• a Sunday class picnic, 
• an information night, 
• a home reading workshop, 
• a social drinks night at a local pub, 
• Grandparents Day.

This is just term 1, people. There is a plethora of events filling the calendar for the rest of the year.

Tie that in with the events for term 1 at Goosey's preschool:

• Welcome night
• Committee meeting
• Harmony Day afternoon tea
• Working Bee
• Yard Sale
• Bandage Bear morning tea
• Farewell afternoon tea for a leaving teacher.

That's more than one school event every week for the first term. This doesn't take into account that parents are asked to come to Lil-lil's class three times a week to help with reading and maths games, plus come to help with excursions. Or even being a member of the P&C or other committees. It certainly doesn't factor in the never-ending stream of birthday party invites. It's lucky that I have a fairly poor social life at present, cause how else would you fit all this in?

Now, I'm not complaining. I'm enjoying being a part of their schooling life, but man, it does seem to be a LOT. Here I was thinking with so many parents working these days that the pressure would be off, but it has definitely increased since I was school. The whole school community thing is so much more than 9-3 and that's surprised me.

I'm not a joiner. I'm not the person who puts their hand up to be on the committee. I don't even really enjoy making small talk with the mums while we wait for the kids to come out. In spite of my non-joining qualities I'm really trying to be enthusiastic about all this and get excited for the kids.

What happens at your school? Is this just the way it is nowadays?