Considering making a sign up genius for sports snacks? Is your kid older than 1st grade? Then DON'T

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
One of the parents organized a snack sign up for the event and sent it around. It specified that the items needed to be individually and professionally packaged (so I couldn't make something at home) and what size items were to be provided. I knew what a stretch it would be for us to do it so I waited it out. But the organizer approached me twice about signing up so finally I did. I know I could have told her about our financial situation but it's not something I like to disclose to people. We knew we were probably the poorest people participating in this activity but I didn't want to advertise that -- I wanted my DC to feel like she just belonged, like she was no different.

So at a time when I was pinching every penny, cooking every meal at home using money saving recipes, and buying our groceries with food stamps, I went out and spent close to $50 on sports drinks and pre-packaged snack items for a group of very privileged children and I had to put it on my EBT card.

You don't know what other people's situations are. Stop volunteering their time and their money without asking them first. If you want to do these sign ups fine, but make it crystal clear to everyone involved that it is 100% voluntary and that people should only do it if they really want to. And don't harass a parent who hasn't signed up -- you don't know what their situation is or what you are asking of them. It might not be a big deal to you but it could be a big deal to them.

"I'm sorry Karen. We just don't have the budget to buy this right now. I am hoping you understand and can ask another parent. thanks"