Hornets nest....

...I started a thread on a teachers forum (apart from the TES one) recently about whether I could possibly hope for an afternoon off to see my son's school play when either training or working as a teacher. Blimey!! Can of worms, opened and spilling!
The consensus was that if you had a nice school and put a lot back into the school (helping out after school, covering for others etc) then you may be lucky if you have no pressing teaching commitments and ask the Head nicely you might manage it.

Generally the comments were fine but there was a feeling of 'if you can't give up your commitments to your small child for the sake of the school then you are not a commited teacher.' That sucks.
Surely as teachers we must recognise the importance of these events to the children (even if we disregard the parents feelings), and how bad it could make many children feel if their mum or dad can never ever turn up to their most important event of their school year?

Why should our own children suffer - especially if it's for the sake of money?
Obviously if the school play or some other important event is happening on that particular day then there's nothing you can do about it, but if my son's play is 3 days before the end of term and my school is just winding down for christmas, then what's the problem with sitting the kids in front of a christmas video or letting them have some freeplay time?
Work-home life balance is something I worry about going into this job. My family have always come first, and up until now I've never really thought of myself as a career woman - it breaks my heart to think I may never see one of my son's christmas plays. That I'll have to experience them all second hand by word of mouth and videos. That he may say 'Oh Mummy, I wish you were there!'
I'm still going to do it, and maybe it won't be a problem. Maybe it will. I'll soon find out I guess.