After much anticipation, two cancellations due to wild and woolly weather, the very first Kindy excursion finally happened last Friday.
Excitedly (and naively), I responded to the callout for volunteering parents to come along to the Powerhouse Museum.
Absolutely NO clue what I was getting myself into.
There were going to be other parents to help look after the EIGHTY kindergarten students – how hard could it be?
It was pure, utter chaos.
Here are my tips on how to (barely) survive kindergarten excursions:
Prior to the carnage, dose up on caffeine.
I have happily discovered that our school canteen sells coffee – at reasonable prices – for desperate parents. Okay, so maybe I spilled most of it on my white top and one assertive (smarty pants) kindergarten girl pointed it out in front of EVERYBODY but that’s okay.
I drank enough of it to at least get me through the bus ride.
Don’t forget to pack your own lunch!
Frantically making the boys’ lunches and making sure that I remembered to pack it in the right excursion bag (not their usual school back pack), I completely spaced out about my own dietary needs.
Some of us parents did manage during lunch break to race up to the café and pick up a chicken wrap and (another) much needed coffee but by the time we all got sorted out and returned with our rations, it was time to head off again. Gah!
Pay close attention to the teachers and help them with their needs.
Teachers man, they do AMAZING work for our children. You need nerves of fricken Superman steel and patience of the highest saint to deal with screaming, highly excited five year olds for six solid hours.
So, when our teacher, Mr M finally sat down to have lunch with his students and one of the kids went over to say she needed to go to the toilet, I thought I’d give him a break and happily volunteered to escort her. Just so that he could have two quick minutes to scoff down his Baker Delight bacon and cheese rolls.
Another parent got him a coffee. It was like we had given him corporate box seats to the rugby.
The whole day was utter madness. But I will do it again. School excursions I discovered are a rare opportunity.
You earn brownie points with your kids. There’s also the inside jokes you end up sharing with the teachers and parents.
At the end of the day, you will have a splitting headache and a dire need for a strong alcoholic beverage. Yes, there is a high chance that, like me, you will lose your voice for the next five days.
But hey, that’s what recovery’s for.
Ever volunteered for a school excursion? What’s the largest number of children you’ve dealt with at the one time? What’re your tips for survival?
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Biggest tip: don’t volunteer for excursions 😜
Sarah @sarahdipity recently posted..My Scoliosis Story- Part Three
Nah! The crazy is too much fun. And it’s awesome blog fodder! LOL 😀
We used to take turns having all the kids in the school holidays – 14 in one day was my highest – nerf wars covered all ages and genders for quite some time…I like getting to know the other kids in the class. It’s nice to see them all on their turf.
Lydia C. Lee recently posted..Chasing rainbows
I’ve lost count of how many school excursions I’ve done – but only because I was a teacher. I used to love getting out of the classroom for a day and it’s parents like you who volunteer that make it possible. I bet for your boys, having you on the excursion was the best thing ever! Haven’t you already signed yourself up for the next excursion?!
Sammie @ The Annoyed Thyroid recently posted..She’s So Inspiring – Barbara Block
I very literally don’t know how teachers do it.
Scratch that, I don’t know how parents do it!
My experience of kids is limited to musuem tours & a brief stint working in the office of a child psychologist where I would have to mind kids briefly so the psychs could talk to parents confidentially.
Though I was told I am good with kids by one of the psychologists. I didn’t have the heart to tell him (he was such a nice guy) that I just pretended the kids were my dog & played with them the same way!!
Vanessa recently posted..Is This Petty?
LOL OH Grace you gave me a laugh! I’ve been on many a kindy excursion and yes they are madness but strangely enjoyable sort of. I learnt to go armed with panadol and you always have a headache at the end of the day that’s for sure. The noise!! Teachers are incredible beings. I bow down to them. I could not do their jobs! Well done on surviving your first excursion! 🙂
Min@WriteoftheMiddle recently posted..Birthday Giveaway – Winner Announcement!
I will always be in awe of kindergarten teachers. They do an incredible job.
JodY At Six Little Hearts recently posted..Chocolate Brownies Recipe – Favourite Bakes
I looked after only 5 kindy kids when my twins were on their first excursion but boy was it hard! I couldn’t ever be a teacher!
Ingrid @ fabulous and fun life recently posted..My Boutiques Curves Olivia Dress in ‘French Navy’
Eighty kids! Oh ma gawd. That kindy teachers’ job is one I wouldn’t want for all the tea in China! Our kindy has about 40 on a full day. Managed to avoid the kindy excursion thus far. The last was to free range egg farm. Agreed, teachers are amazing.
It’s a coffee and then scotch kinda day, but that is A LOT of kids in one hit, but the girls used to love it when I put myself through the torture. The things we do. 😊☕️
Nikki@WonderfullyWomen recently posted..Handy Photos You Should Take With Your Phone!
Bahahaha, I remember those days. I was a nervous wreck by the end just making sure we had all the kids and that they were safe. Then you take out teenagers and you need to watch for the sneaking off .. argh
Natalie @ Our parallel connection recently posted..If your kids read what you wrote online, they would be embarrassed?
Wow, you’re keen – I remember my Mum volunteering to come along as a parent helper on our school camp in Year 3, two night stay . . . it must have been hectic!
Beth | AlmostPosh.com recently posted..Royal Essence Ring Candle Review and Reveal [inc. VIDEO]
Well done Grace! I haven’t yet volunteered for an excursion, but I help in class once a week. I have a group of eight kids. That is enough. (And I do music group, but all the parents are there too so, although I’m technically in charge, it’s nothing like this!)
I don’t think my introvert is up to volunteering for something this big. But one of my fondest childhood memories is a school excursion my mum attended. So I’ll probably do it at some stage. x
Emily recently posted..And just who decided I’m a grown-up?
Oh my goodness, I am shuddering just thinking about it! But at the same time, I know I will volunteer when the opportunity arrives. I always wished my Mum would come on the excursion as a parent helper (I thought it would mean I would get a nice lunch bought for me, lol!) but she couldn’t because of my sisters and brothers so I’d like to be able to do that for my girls when I get the chance.
Kylie Purtell recently posted..Picture This: Happy Birthday to Me {April & May 2016} | Photography & Life
I’ve never done it. Now I know why!
Sounds like an exhausting, but fab day out! I haven’t had a chance to volunteer for any excursions yet. I’m hoping I’ll be able to get to one this year. I’m glad you had a great time Grace x
Julie @ Off to the park recently posted..What is making me happy – family time
Thank you for being brave enough to do this Grace! Well-done. I must add, I once went as a volunteer parent on my son’s Year 2 excursion (I was on LSL from my role as an Assistant Principal and Teacher!) and it was NERVE wracking NOT to be in charge. I have never had such a headache nor even volunteered again… Interestingly though, over the years, we teachers INVITED parents to attend excursions id they could..we did not ask for volunteers as there were, ahem, some parents who only wanted to come for their own day out…
Denyse Whelan recently posted..Beach After Storms. 366/176.
School excursions are a rare opportunity, I think it’s wonderful to be able to be there with your kids, worth all the headaches and crazy definitely, and there’s always an excuse for a beverage to celebrate the end. Lol! x
sarah@tomfo recently posted..Black and White laundry + clever storage ideas
I just went with my son’s Year 1 class to Sea World, it was ALL the Year 1s so about 120 kids – MADNESS. And it was Day 2 of my cleanse so had the worst coffee and sugar headache EVER!
Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me recently posted..What stops you from eating all the food?
Your an inspiration! Haha good on you for volunteering I am sure the teachers really appreciated it and your baby loved it! My little ones aren’t in school yet so I haven’t done the school excursion thing yet, but when the time comes I would love to!
Also I have tried to add the link for FYBF to my wordpress site but for some reason the image URL isn’t working.
Salam kenl mbak,secara tal sengaja saya menemukN website ini di google, salam kenal dari anak rantau indonesia.hehe
Me-rantau recently posted..3 Obyek Wisata lubuk linggau
Lol! I think you’re brave volunteering to go on a kindy excursion!
Vicki @ Knocked Up & Abroad recently posted..Painting The Town Mustard
School excursions are a nightmare! I went on an overnight camp with Year 7 students at the start of the year — 105 girls and just 8 staff members. I was f***ing exhausted after it all!
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