When our daughter started preschool we discovered that there was a kid in her class that had a mom that we knew from the University. It was nice to have that extra connection with her because she knew us a little already and we didn't have the awkward friend-making phase. We also realized that one of the kids from our daughter's dance class was in the same preschool class. This gave us another connection with someone we kind of already knew. Moving on to kindergarten, both of these girls were also in the same school as our daughter so that was great to be able to have a couple of parent friends already.
I found that when I connected with other parents and children, I increased my chances of knowing my own kid.
By knowing other kids and parents, I could see what kind of friends my kid had. I also had a social support system in case I needed something or even information about something going on at school. More importantly, I could get to know my kid through these parents. When our daughter started kindergarten, she connected with a child in her class that sat at her table, I started casually talking to her mother as we tended to volunteer at the same things and occasionally pick our kids up at the same time. When the girls ended up in the same first grade class, I connected with her even more. Connecting with her and hearing how great her kid thought my kid was is heartwarming. Watching them together I see that my daughter is not only a "mother hen" type kid but she is also a leader. Knowing and connecting with her teachers, I hear that she is smart and friendly and confident but seeing her with other kids I see that she is more than that and it makes me proud.
Connecting at the school creates social support and networking.
I joined the PTO this year as well, I finally had more time to be a part of my daughter's school. Connecting with the parents allowed me to have some social support. Meeting other parents that are going through the same things at the same times as I was is very encouraging. I know when I drop my kid off at school after fighting her all morning to get out the door on time that I will see the same parents I see every day that drop their kids off too. When I see these parents, I can let off some steam and ask "what do you do when your kid doesn't want to get ready for school?" Or I can just say "rough morning getting out the door" and I can hear "yeah, I've been there too" and get a friendly smile. These interactions help me cope with the hardships of being a parent and allow me to feel normal when I really just feel inadequate.
Making friends with other parents lets me know who is "in my neighborhood."
When I meet the parents of other kids, I get to know the people "in my neighborhood." Although most parents are going to be on their "best behavior" when they take their kids to school, you start to learn more about who people are the more you see them around. Even though my city has four elementary schools, one charter school, one high school, one parochial school, two alternative schools, one Montessori school, about a dozen preschools and two middle schools as well as a University and a Community College with a population of around 27,000 not including the college students that do not live here all year long so are not technically counted as our population; I feel like I know a lot of people and it is nice when we have community events and I see parents and kids that I know.
Knowing kids and parents at school allows them to know my family.
It is a nice thing when you can go to a local grocery store and hear "Hi (insert your child's name here) mom." When I go somewhere and I hear a child call my name or call me the "mom" of someone they know, I feel like I have connected with them in some way. Connecting with kids and parents at my child's school allows them to know me as well as my family better. In knowing who we are, hopefully they will see us as a "nice family," and feel safe having my child around and/or coming to my home and having their children around us. I find it very valuable to have connections with other families in my community for so many reasons.
When I ran for a political position for my county, it was great to have the support from others that we knew. Although I didn't win, some of the support I received was from people who knew me and respected me. A preschool teacher of my daughter's said that she was going to vote for me and that it was really brave of me to run for political office. I would like to get more involved in the community and when people recognize a face or a name, they are more likely to support your cause.
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