Sometimes Being a Room Parent Can Be Tough…

Here are some problems that may occur and some possible solutions:

1) Multiple parents sign up for the job of Room Parent, but no one actually takes charge…so nothing gets done.

Oops. Well, at some point, one of you needs to take the plunge, talk to your teacher to find out who all signed up and contact the others on the list. Work to divide up the tasks evenly: maybe one of you will be in charge of email and written communications, another of organizing class parties, and the other, PTA events. Yes, in reality, one person can end up doing the majority of the work. But this doesn’t have to be the case. Try hard to balance out the workload so you don’t end up feeling resentful. Communication is key—talk to your fellow room parents frequently.

2) Your teacher doesn’t introduce you to the class parents (through class newsletter or other means), so no one knows who you are.

Take matters into your own hands and send out a ‘Welcome/Introduction’ letter. (See sample in this packet.) Or, organize a class potluck—at school or at Mitchell Park—for an afternoon or evening get-together, with your teacher’s help. These are more work but great ice breakers. Once folks know who you are and realize that you are doing the organizing and coordinating but really do need help, they’re likely to step up, if slowly. Keep at it. Send home occasional Room Parent news bites from you to them, so they are aware of what’s coming next and what you’ll need well before the last minute that you’ll need it.

3) You requested the recommended $20 for a class party fund, but only half the class responded (so you ended up collecting $200 instead of $400), and the money is about to run out—in February.

Hmmm…common problem. One way around this is to budget separate amounts for each party, e.g. $5 for Halloween, $10 for Holiday party, etc. and collect as you go. This may work better for some classes and net you more party money in the end, but it’s also more labor-intensive for you (and you may feel like you’re always asking for money.) Another option is to ask for donations of items—food, drinks, crafts, treats, etc—as often as possible, instead of using your party fund each time to buy those things. That way, you can save your money for the things you can’t get anyone to donate or for the teacher/aide gifts, if need be.

NOTE: Avoid spending extra money yourself, just because the class is short $25 or so. Don’t do it. Others will help out if you push a little harder, or you may just have to say, ‘sorry, we had to cancel the craft (or whatever), due to lack of funds.’

4) You have a lot going on with your kids/life/family/work and feel overwhelmed by the prospect of one more activity to organize...

Yes, burnout. It happens to all of us. Call one of your fellow room parents and ask them to take over on the next activity. Or tell the teacher you need to pare down the next party. Or call one of us—Ivan or Ramji—and we’ll be happy to help out. Being a room parent actually is a lot of fun and should be a memorable experience—a good one!

WE REALLY DO WANT YOU TO HAVE AWONDERFUL YEAR.