10 Types of Parents You Meet In A WhatsApp Group

Since Lil Pumpkin started P1, I joined my first school parents Whatsapp group for her class {we didn't have this practice in her preschool}.

I've long heard about these fabled parents Whatsapp groups from my other mummy friends.. it's a double-edged sword that's extremely useful for socialising {especially for busy working parents like us who aren't able to hang around in school much}, finding support & keeping up with school activities, events and important news, but it can also be a channel for parents to compare results, chat mindlessly / b*tch about unrelated matters, form cliques etc. and that's where the unnecessary stress and anxiety from being in one comes up.

Who would want to receive incessant messages asking how well your kid did in the recent test, which revision assessment books they are using for tuition, why this kid is a school monitor but not XXX or mundane discussions on breakfast menus??

I know I don't, and thankfully our class Whatsapp group hasn't shown it's negative side.. yet?? haha. I do reckon my parents WhatsApp group has more pros than cons for me at the moment for "keeping us in the loop" and if you are thinking of joining one to reap its potential benefits too, here's a tongue-in-cheek look at 10 Types of Parents You Meet In A WhatsApp Group:

1. The Know-It-All
They are always in tuned with school gossip news and are glad to share it and/or make sure everybody knows that they know about it {first}. You might love them for being so generous with the information {especially when it's useful}, or hate them for being attention-grabbing, but either way these are the parents to look for if you're not sure what time school ends tomorrow / who is the class Music teacher / when is the next 听写 etc.

2. The Eager Beaver
You never have to worry about being #foreveralone in the chat group because they always reply to every. single. comment. They have an answer for every question, and opinion to every thought. One does wonder if they has a life outside of Whatsapp （>∀<）  

3. The One-Liner
Scratch that. These parents should be known as "One-Worders" as their vocabulary is only limited to "Ok", "Noted", "Thanks", "Yes" etc. The masters in this category actually go one step further and just reply in mere letters e.g. "K" {okay}, "Np" {no problem}, "HBD" {happy birthday}.

4. The Grandmother-Storyteller
The exact opposite to the "One-Liner", these parents basically type out short stories with every response. I bet their kids will win #BestCompo award in school.

It's ok if they do it all in one single comment, but woe betide you when they break it up into a gazillion separate messages that send your mobile in a beeping frenzy. These parents are why we have the "Mute Conversation" button for WhatsApp chats.

5. The Lurker
You won't even know they are there until you look at the members list. They don't reply to any comment or question. Absolutely zero participation or signs of their existence. 

6. The Complain King
If recess time is too short, you will hear about it from them. If the weather is too hot for P.E., they are going to criticise it. If there is too much or too little homework, these parents will definitely have something to say too. Worst if you're planning a class party and all they can come up with are ideas to shoot it down. 

7. The Blur Sotong
These parents are absolutely clueless about school dates, homework, spelling lists, or basically how the education system is run and hang on to the chat group like a dear lifeline. Or sometimes they get wind of wrong info and cause panic in the group. They could also be known as "Askholes" when they keep asking for advice, but refuse to take it in!

8. The Drama Queen
They tend to freak out and make everything a BIG DEAL.. most of the time, over something small. Raise the alarm if their kids forget to bring their homework to school, or if they didn't teach the kids how to use the new school library system, or forgot to remind the child that lessons ended earlier that day {even though the teachers would have informed the students already}.

Relaaaaax, we send our kids to school to be more independent and learn new things on their own, right? Let them make mistakes and learn from them! (^_－)☆

9. The Saint
They send individual birthday greetings & holiday wishes, offer friendly advice & thoughtful help, responds at the right time, keep quiet to listen, are always politically correct and includes everybody in the conversation. Basically the "wise and caring parents" that we all want to be (✿╹◡╹)

10.  The Teacher's Pet
Somehow due to being parent volunteers or from being in school 24/7 stalking their children each day, these parent are on very friendly terms with the teachers and are always eager to approach them for any clarification. Not sure which uniform to wear on Tuesday? They will rush to ask Teacher X. Maths problem has a typo? Don't worry, they have Teacher Y on speed-dial.

If the teachers know of anything discussed in the chat group, you know who leaked out that information #oops  

Are you in a parents WhatsApp group of any sorts?

Can you relate & who else would you meet in such groups??

P.S. This list is far from exhaustive and based on experiences from my friends and I. It is not meant to be taken toooooo seriously, or used to target any individual in my chat groups or otherwise.

P.P.S. Typically, a school parents WhatsApp group is not an official school communication channel, and is usually set up by fellow well-meaning parents of the class / across the level / cca group etc. You do not have to be part of it if you don't wish to, and I know some parents who decide not to. Personally, I don't think you will "lose out" by not being in one as responsible schools will email / SMS parents on important issues, but there are merits like what I've mentioned above to being in one for sure.

For more of  Lil Pumpkin's Primary School journey:

P1 Registration Experience

School Uniform Shopping @ Bibi & Baba

P1 Orientation Day
First 3 Days of P1
10 Types of Parents in Whatsapp Groups
First Primary School Parent-Teacher Meeting for P1 Sem 1
Short Pixie Bob for School
Ergonomic School Bag Shopping & Tips for Choosing One
JUMPY Plus Kids Smartwatch for School
What's An Appropriate Slumber Party Age for Kids?
3M LED P1610 Polarizing Task Light to Protect Eyes When Studying
Creative HansVision Chinese Exam E-Dictionary PX2131 Review  

For tips on P1 preparation:

Comparison of Popular Maths Enrichment Classes

20 Things to Buy for Kids Entering P1

20 Tips from Other Parents for Kids Entering P1

25 Advice Tips from the School for Kids Entering P1 

20 How to Learn Chinese Tips

 

Good deal to share:

 Discount Code for Agape Babies: One-Stop Shop for Mums & Kids

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