Last Friday I took Big Pea to her “meet and greet” before school started, so that she could meet her teacher, get a feel for her classroom, and connect with the friends she missed so much after the summer break. As always, I scoured the room for the room-parent form and signed my name at the top. I was a little surprised to see that I was the first one to sign-up, but was certain that others would follow suit.
I was wrong.
Not only was I the only parent to sign-on as “room-parent”, but I was also the only parent to offer to work in the classroom. Seriously? How is this possible?
Last year, there were multiple moms who helped out in the classroom, and I had another mom who took on the job of co- room parent with me. She had an older son and had been room-parenting for years, so she served as the organizer for the year, while I followed her lead and helped where she needed me when it came to classroom activities and parties.
I have no.idea.how.to.throw.a.party.
And, as silly as it sounds, I’ll need to prepare multiple documents using pdf conversion to send home to the parents and as tech-savvy as I deem myself to be, I have no idea how to use a pdf converter – although I suppose this is the least of my worries at this point.
So I’m reaching out to your for suggestions and resources. If you have experience being a room mom or dad, have thrown classroom parties, organized classroom activities, participated in bake-sales, etc, I need your suggestions! Have you found sites online that help with organizing school activities? Have you found that joining the parent-club helps guide you through the year?
Any and all tips, tricks, and suggestions are welcome and much needed!
I was the room mom for my daughter’s 2nd grade class,never again! For the parties I probably spent about $20 of my own $ each time because parents never would email back or pick up the phone when I asked for donations of pretzels,napkins,juice,etc. My daughter’s kindergarten was the same way,I was the only mom to show up for visit the classroom or have lunch with your child,when I switched schools I expected more involvement. I’m just the type to send in extra when they ask for donations now and send in tissues,hand sanitizer a few times a year when I find deals.
I can relate Christina! I am prepared to spend $ on the classroom and I’m happy to do so. I am sure all of the parents just work, but it sure would be nice to have at least one person to share the load with!
No worries! It has happened to me every single year and it all works out in the end!!
Here is what I do everytime there is a class party:
1. Create a send home letter telling who I am and what party is coming.
2. I explain what my plans are for the party (pizza.etc)
3. I have each parent send in $2
4. Tear off sheet at the bottom with her name, phone, email and what ELSE they are willing to do for the party (volunteer, send goodies, send. snacks, etc).
5. Happy to share my “party letter” if u want it, it’s not awesome, but it works for the parents at our school. Send me a note
6. Oh….and the email addresses allow me to share slide show pics of the party that the working parents missed. They loooove that and I get bunches of notes and emails back from them thanking me for including them.
My son’s in Kindergarten and I was actually excited about volunteering to be the Room Parent but apparently they don’t have them at the school. Everything pretty much goes through the PTA. Have you joined your school’s PTA? I’m sure those moms that are involved with that organization could offer tips on being a Room Parent. I also found the following link online that seemed to have a lot of tips: http://www.reasontoparty.com/room_mom.htm
Good luck! 🙂