Community› The Bump Message Boards› Stay at Home Moms
Stay at Home Moms
New Discussion

s/o saying "thank you" (vent)

alli2672alli2672 member
edited August 2013 in Stay at Home Moms

I volunteer to teach Sunday school at my church.  I do it every week.  I go to the first service with H, then he takes the kids home, and I stay to teach the kids during the second service (the adult service is adults only). 

I like the kids.  I like giving parents the chance to go to church and maybe have some time alone.  I know that I appreciate it.  Most people are really nice about it.  However, some people really take advantage of me.  They drop their kids off early and pick them up late (often up to 30 minutes late from a 60 minute service).  It really drives me crazy.  I have plans.  I want to get home and spend the afternoon with my family, not hang out alone in a classroom with a couple of kids while their parents are chatting with friends. 

 Not sure if I have a question here.  Would you say something to the parents?  Do you think it's reasonable for parents to expect this?

Report Reply to Post

Re: s/o saying "thank you" (vent)

  • kcisthebombdotcomkcisthebombdotcom member
    I would pull them aside and say something. It's horrible they take advantage like that and its silly to continue to allow them to do that. People suck.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • notkateanymorenotkateanymore member
    I would not be OK with this at all and I'm surprised the church would be. What are the parents doing that takes them so long to get there? When I taught Sunday school or when we take DD to church, the most we're ever to the classroom is 10 or so minutes. I mean there is a certain amount of chatting, but 30 minutes is crazy. I would just mention to the people that are always late, that you need to leave at specific time like 15 or 20 minutes after the service.
    Report Reply
  • LatteLady5LatteLady5 member
    LalaMama81 said:
    I would absolutely say something. I would probably tell the sunday school coordinator or the children's pastor or whoever is in charge, too, so that they can make a reminder announcement. That is just ridiculous. 

    How old are the kids? If it was only a handle of repeat offenders, I'd probably take them down to their parents 10 minutes after the service ended next week. Deliver them to their parents and tell them Sunday School is over and that they need to picked up right after the service ends. 
    If parents were late when I was doing sunday school I'd deliver the kids. The latest anyone ever was was around 10 minutes. I can't imagine 30 or 60! I would ask the SS coordinator to address this or ask how they want you to address it. That's really unacceptable.

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickers Lilypie First Birthday tickers
    Report Reply
  • DochasDochas member
    I would either get there right at start time or keep the door locked until it's time to start and then I would start a dismissal.  The children would leave the class as service was ending - bring them into the vestibule or wherever.  They're REALLY taking advantage of you!
    TTC since September '08 After 2 m/c - lap for stage 3-4 endo Oct '09 Bravelle w/Ovidrel trigger - iui on 11/07 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • alli2672alli2672 member

     

    KateMW said:
    I would not be OK with this at all and I'm surprised the church would be. What are the parents doing that takes them so long to get there? When I taught Sunday school or when we take DD to church, the most we're ever to the classroom is 10 or so minutes. I mean there is a certain amount of chatting, but 30 minutes is crazy. I would just mention to the people that are always late, that you need to leave at specific time like 15 or 20 minutes after the service.


    That's a good idea.  I will set a firm time, and take the kids down to the volunteer room after that.  They are 6-7 years old.   

    I think the parents are just chatting with friends.  There are about 2000 people who go to our church, and a big cafe and gathering area.  I like to think that maybe they run into old friends and time just gets away from them, but H thinks taht they deliberately go and get coffee and sit down kid-free. 

     

    Report Reply
  • DochasDochas member
    alli2672 said:

    I think the parents are just chatting with friends.  There are about 2000 people who go to our church, and a big cafe and gathering area.  I like to think that maybe they run into old friends and time just gets away from them, but H thinks taht they deliberately go and get coffee and sit down kid-free. 



     

    Of course that's what they're doing!
    TTC since September '08 After 2 m/c - lap for stage 3-4 endo Oct '09 Bravelle w/Ovidrel trigger - iui on 11/07 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
    Report Reply
  • Rink08Rink08 member
    When I provided nursery care (infant to 3) during our morning services, I would bring the kids into the fellowship hall (where parents would be) 15 minutes after each service was over. I gave them their snack in the nursery after the service, so this gave the parents time to get coffee and mingle with the adults before I brought them in.
    Can you implement a similar routine?

    Lilypie Kids Birthday tickers Lilypie Fourth Birthday tickers
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
    Our Family Blog Weightloss Blog
    image
    Report Reply
  • JMC11511JMC11511 member
    Our church is roughly the same size and our kids department director and staff deal with this as well. Do you have a director that you can talk to? Maybe the church could make an announcement in the adult service that the kids need to be picked up immediately following the service and all children who have not been picked up will be waiting in a designated area. I know I have to do that with my choir kids sometimes. If kids have not been collected by 8 PM when choir ends, I walk them downstairs and drop them off in the "holding area." The kids dept staff (paid) wait with them until parents get them.
    Because you're mine, I walk the line....
    Landry Mark: 11/5/11
    Image and video hosting by TinyPic
    Report Reply
  • joyfullyfoundjoyfullyfound member
    LalaMama81 said:
    I would absolutely say something. I would probably tell the sunday school coordinator or the children's pastor or whoever is in charge, too, so that they can make a reminder announcement. That is just ridiculous. 

    How old are the kids? If it was only a handle of repeat offenders, I'd probably take them down to their parents 10 minutes after the service ended next week. Deliver them to their parents and tell them Sunday School is over and that they need to picked up right after the service ends. 
    Exactly this. Lala has much wisdom. 

    Lilypie Third Birthday tickersLilypie First Birthday tickers


    Report Reply
  • AimeeL85AimeeL85 member
    In addition to all the ideas above, something in writing might be helpful.  Maybe something posted on the door of the room you watch them in, or in the church bulletin, or even a letter sent home to parents.
    DS (7 years old) from FET in 2010
    DD (5 years old) from IUI in 2012
    TTC 3rd and final!: IUI #1 in progress!
    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"