Need Solutions to Stop Mama Drama at School

It's everywhere but yours sounds like an extreme case. Frankly, I'm surprised the teachers and principal are so involved.
All I can suggest is that you (and any other *normal* moms) immediately become Switzerland and refuse to get involved in the gossip and snarkiess of the situations.
Ignore the Stepford Moms when they boss you around and you guys follow the teachers instructions.

I often wonder if moms like that would benefit from purchasing a *real* life!

If the teachers know any of the helpful moms personally, when they have an event, the teachers should call those moms up to ask for help and if the diva-mom's show up uninvited, the teacher can turn them away explaining they have all the help they need. Maximum capacity. Maybe next time. So sorry.

Don't post sign ups. Have the teachers make up a personal list of all parents who are helpful, leaving any disruptive dramamama's off it. When the teacher plans an event, he or she can call the parents from the list to check their availability for upcoming events and pencil them in for support.

I repeat. DITCH THE SIGN UP SHEET.

I would pile so much responsibility on them-they would leave the state.

Hmmm...and we wonder why so many of today's students are whiny, entitled and unable to receive direction and/or criticism?

I really wish these moms could see their behavior for what it is - immature and a VERY poor example for their children.

=/

I know those of you who are trying to be helpful don't want to incite more drama, but perhaps these overbearing moms - in addition to hearing this from the teachers - need to hear from their peers that their behavior is not welcome and is hurting the kids. Voting on a "leader" who would serve for the year may help, too - are there PTA officers? If so, can they be the ones to restore some order here?

Your PTA has over 100 active parents?!? WOW!

One thing that our teachers have done is created a chart of parents to sign up when they are free to volunteer, daily, certain parties, etc.

If there were several parents that signed up for a certain day or activity, she would decide who came in for that day. Her rule was only one parent a day. The exception was your kid's birthday.

The teacher would also rotate the parents that she would contact for things and first. She would send out and email stating that - Lisa will be organizing the Halloween party, or Tracy will be organizing the Christmas party. Then ask for volunteers. If she got a bunch, she would send out an email listing who was invited to come for that event. If she didn't get many volunteers, everyone who volunteered was welcome.

My ex MIL tried that many years ago at the church sewing circle. After a couple of weeks she was told point blank; this sewing circle has been here a longer than you and will continue many years after you --we have been doing things this way for years -- we don't need you coming here and telling us what to do and how to do it --we know how --if you are not going to do anything other than run your mouth we don't need you!! I know this because my Aunt was in the sewing circle at the church.
If they insist on changing the way the teacher does something the teacher has to look at them and say 'look it's my way or the high way'.
The teacher could have all the sign up sheets on line and email the parents.

It sounds like it has gotten so out of hand that there is nothing you can do so don't even try. Just limit your exposure to the drama. I would go up to your children's teachers and ask privately what you can do to help them. Offer to take stuff home to work on it.

If you want to be around your kids, offer to do playground duty or lunch duty. I can bet money that the drama queens would NEVER be around for that! I love watching kids run and play. When there is something going on between two kids, I ask each one privately if their behavior is making the other person like them more. If not, what can they do to make the other person like them more. Other than that, it is totally enjoyable. I don't know about public schools, but private schools allow parents to come in.

In all of my 29 years of teaching, I have never heard of something like this occuring. It seems these moms have too much time on their hands. Let them come up and do cafeteria duty at lunch time, bus duty in the afternoon, as well as help grade papers for a fifth grade teacher. I guarantee you, the visits will become few if not nonexistance.

Wish my elementary school had volunteers - if you are not wanted or needed at your school, please contact me in a private message! Sounds like the pricipal is afraid to address the problem in fear of running off her "best" supporters. What a shame. With public education in such turmiol - you would think these divas would be in Austin making sure their children receive the education they deserve.

Petition to kick them off their positions? I'm guessing there's no condemning them from PTA? Wow, someone needs to videotape them and show them in front of all the other moms how stupid they make themselves look. It's not cute. And I bet their poor kids get affected by it at home.
Good luck, I hope some of the suggestions work. I couldn't do it, I'd lose my mind on them moms.. they would want kids around because if the kids weren't around I'd happily curse them out.

I can't believe their actions have been this long & nothing has been done about it.Sorry but I have no solution,I feel that i'm getting stared down because i'm very active in my sons school have been for the past 2 yrs it is just myself & 1 other mom the principal & 2 teachers for such a small team we get things done for our students & staff.
The bright side is summer is almost here maybe they will have time to cool off & after another intervention they will decide not to come back or do what they are asked if not ask them to leave

Reverend Ruby, what an awesome way to deal with it!

How beyond silly...! What it's gonna take is teachers and sane-brained parents to speak up and out--bottom line. As long as their behavior is being entertained, they have no reason to stop. It's a hassle, and you shouldn't have to do it, but you guys are just gonna have to hold your ground. If they are able to step up freely and take charge, what's to stop you from doing the same? Why should they go unchallenged? Who's to stop you from stepping up and speaking out at the next meeting. You might be surprised by the support displayed for the person who steps out against the madness. It might just take that one person speaking openly to get the ball rolling.