I have a slight aversion to field trips. I always have. Even as a child myself, I hated going on field trips. In fact, it took me years to take my daughter to the Science Centre in Toronto because all I remembered as a child was being freaked out by that thing that made your hair all static, the uncomfortable heat, and so many children around me. So when my daughter started school, and an e-mail went out asking parents to volunteer their time to help out on field trips, it brought back all sorts of bad memories.
So, I chose carefully. I chose the field trip to the fire station that you could walk to from my daughter’s school. Not only could I walk there with the children in her class, but, really, there’s not so much to see at a fire station. You see the firemen (which is nice!) you see their gear (which is kind of cool) and you get to go on the fire truck (which is sort of neat). And then, pretty much, the field trip is over.
But, as they get older, the field trips become longer. For example, the last field trip my daughter went on was to a town outside Toronto, more than an hour drive each way. Then, in the town, they had to visit store owners and learn what it’s like to live in a small community, draw pictures, etc. Of course, an e-mail went out asking for parent volunteers. I was shocked when the e-mail said, “it’s first come first serve for parents,” as if every parent in the class would want to go on this field trip. And, actually, a lot of them did. All I could wonder is, who are these parents who can take an entire day off to go on a field trip? Because that’s how long the field trip was. It was an entire day!
But then, recently, I was asked to come to my daughter’s class to do a short presentation on a Jewish holiday, with some other Jewish mothers. I agreed to this, even though it was in the middle of a work day, because it was easy and I was feeling guilty for not going on a field trip for years. My daughter was thrilled that I came.
It’s not embarrassing for an 8-year-old to have her mother come to class, or come on a field trip. They love having you there. And that fact warms my heart. So I was very happy I went. I think I’ll now volunteer to one field trip a year – if only to make my daughter happy, while she still wants me to come along. And, yes, while I do have an aversion to field trips, ask me if I rather go to the dentist.
I'd rather go on a field trip.
How about you? Do you make a point of volunteering to go on field trips? If so, what’s the best field trip you’ve been on as an adult for your child?
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