While some moms clamor to get a coveted chaperone spot on their child’s field trip, it appears that in many cases dad is Missing In Action.

I learned recently that schools are trying to do more to encourage fathers to become chaperones. In some cases teachers are reserving one spot on a trip specifically for a dad and some teachers plan to do some serious recruiting.

One teacher I spoke to over the weekend said it really helps to have at least one dad on a trip with the younger children, since the kids often need to take bathroom breaks and the boys have to be accompanied by an adult.

But beyond that, going on a field trip with your child is such a rewarding experience. For one, most young children feel like they’ve hit the jackpot when they see their mom or dad on that yellow bus with the rest of the class.

And having gone a few trips myself, you walk away with an added appreciation for what these teachers do day in and day out.

With so many working moms and working dads, moms shouldn’t have to be the only ones cashing in their vacation days at work to head on a class trip. Dads, step up to the plate.

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