How to Chaperone Your Child’s Field Trip
Chaperoning your child’s class field trip is meant to be fun for the kids…so don’t make it about you.
Richie Frieman
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How to Chaperone Your Child’s Field Trip
In a couple of weeks, I will be chaperoning my daughter’s first grade class to an art museum. Honestly, of all the field trips the class has taken, I am most excited about this one. Since I’m an artist, I want to foster art appreciation in my daughter and her classmates. A little time away from the digital art of Frozen would be good for this crew of 7-year-olds..
I can see it now: The kids and me chatting away about the Renaissance while drinking espressos at lunch…
What? That’s not what happens?
Keep dreaming. In reality, chaperoning a field trip isn’t about my enjoyment. It’s time to be an adult and babysit, focusing on the kids’ experience. So grab your lunchbox, bring your signed permission slip, and let’s dive into my top 3 quick and dirty tips for how to be an awesome chaperone:
Tip #1: You’re Their Chaperone, Not Their Bestie
One thing that irks me to no end is when parents try too hard to be “hip.”
Look, I love my kids more than anything and we have a blast together, but being the cool Dad who lets kids run amock because you don’t want to be the bad guy is the epitome of crummy parenting. For some reason, field trips make some parents feel like it’s their duty to rebel against the establishment and impress the students with how cool they are. Is that approach fun? Maybe. But is it responsible? Not at all.
Now, now, now, before you call me a stick in the mud, hear me out.
When a child goes on a field trip, they’re already stoked about it. To them it’s a day away from school and they’re ecstatic about eating lunch in a new place. Your foremost job is to keep them safe. Secondly, you should strive to make the day fun.
Case in point, when I was in fifth grade, my buddy’s father chaperoned our field trip to the local farm. I don’t remember anything about the actual farm, but I still remember how hilarious he was. He’d pretend to step in animal poop everywhere we went (classic kid humor), he assigned us all secret code names like we were on a super agent mission, and during lunch he brought a portable radio (this was the late 80s, folks) so we could all listen to music. It was the best day for a group of 10-year-olds.
This is an example of a great chaperone: make the best out of the trip and show the kids a good time while following the rules.
Don’t try to show off and be the cool parent who goes off the grid. You’ll put a bunch of kids in danger and be embarrassed when the teacher reprimands you in front of the class. Just like old times.
Tip #2: It’s Not About You
I haven’t been to the art museum in quite some time, so I’m more excited than probably 99% of the kids going on the field trip. The art teacher may be the only other person as gung-ho as me. I checked out the museum website to see the current collections and planned out what I’d like to see. I even researched the gift shop for some cool books. However, even though I’m looking forward to the exhibits, actually seeing them can only happen if the day’s plans allow for it. Knowing this fact, I’m not banking on seeing any of the exhibits on my list.
The fact is, I can go to the museum whenever I want (or rather, when my wife says it’s OK). But this upcoming field trip is all about the kids. I didn’t sign up for chaperone duties as an excuse to catch up on the Impressionists. I signed up to spend quality time with my daughter and to give back to the school, along with hopefully helping the kids see how interesting art can be.
Unfortunately, some parents think otherwise……
Recently, a Modern Manners Guy Twitter follower DM’d me about a fellow chaperone on her son’s class field trip to the aquarium. This totally self-centered person took an hour “break” from his duties to attend a shark presentation. Needless to say that was not part of the plan for the trip.
In case you didn’t pick up on it, it’s insanely rude to use the field trip for your own gain. We’re adults! If you want to see a certain exhibit, drive in your adult car and use your adult money to buy a ticket at a later date. Don’t push for a time out from the class. It’s not about you.
Tip#3: Reprimanding Children
This is a very touchy subject. First and foremost, when I say “reprimand,” I by no means imply any physical discipline. And this goes double when you chaperone a group of children that are not your own. I understand that kids can get out of hand sometimes (I have two hellions myself). And during an exciting event like a field trip, when everyone is psyched, a child’s behavior may slip. As well, they may not view the chaperone as an authority figure like their teacher and may try to get away with acting up.
That being said, you cannot ever, and I mean ever, lose your cool and reprimand a child during the field trip (well, at least a child that isn’t yours). This is a hands-off, low temper, calm voice day. Think, “Serenity Now.”
When you see a child veering off the route, you can let the child know calmly that they should pay attention. If things get to the point where little Johnny is too much to handle, alert the teacher immediately. Tell her what is going on and see if the crazy little terror can be contained or switched to another group. Don’t make a scene about it and don’t take containment on yourself. This is the teacher’s job. Don’t harp on it, don’t remind the kids about it. Just move on and go with the flow.
As always, if you have another manners question, I look forward to hearing from you at manners@quickanddirtytips.comcreate new email. Follow me on Twitter @MannersQDT, and of course, check back next week for more Modern Manners Guy tips for a more polite life.
Do you have any recent graduates in your circle, or perhaps someone who is looking to start a new career, check out my book, Reply All…And Other Ways to Tank Your Career for great tips and advice on job success. It’s available now!
Kids on a field trip image courtesy of Shutterstock.
Kids at Art Museum image courtesy of Shutterstock.