Running moms ragged with Teacher Appreciation right before Mother’s Day

[Anonymous]

My PTA did a nacho bar. It was awesome. Much more enjoyable than a bouquet of flowers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally just ordered gift cards from Amazon and they will be delivered same day. I’m going to have my kids make cards after school today. I added a few items that I signed up for on the sign up genius.

It took longer to type this on dcum.

Some people complain for the sake of complaining. OP could have clicked and ordered in the time she was complaining on dcum. You don’t have to do everything.

If this gift card or napkins or orange juice is a hardship for your family, just don’t participate.

The irony is, you don’t have to participate in this thread if other people’s dissatisfaction bothers you so very much. Live by your same rules! It took you longer to type out your reasoning why OP should see the world the way you do than it would have taken you to, you know, scroll on by.

DP. I like that you’re honest about needing to put on that hairshirt.

I like your dedication to hypocrisy, the way you can excuse the 100 things you complain about every day, and justify the minutiae that gets under your skin, just because this one thing that bothers someone else isn’t something that bothers you.

You need to get over yourself, or have a loved one get you some counseling, for real.

I’m sure you’re off to complain about tipping hotel employees or those swivel-tips at the bagel shop, or how some women think leggings are pants, or that you don’t like the new “Bridgerton” spin-off, or one of the 100 things you think it is justified to complain about. Byeeeeee!

I don’t have 99 problems, or take stupid things or stupider people to heart. You’re your problem, and I’m sure a source of “ugh god” for everyone around you.

(Maybe add more to the next gift card.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher and none of the parents have been at school or sent anything in. We do a breakfast one day and that’s it. This means that the kids come in with a jug of orange juice or whatever. I’m confused about what’s running you so ragged. I’m also a mother and I don’t understand how this is related to Mother’s Day at all. Are you okay?

Welp, your school/PTA/parents don’t overdo it, and that’s fine, but don’t act like your experience is the only one that matters. Our school is one that overdoes it, and asks/cajoles/begs for seriously 15 different themes and activities.

I just don’t understand why the world at large has not solved this for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally just ordered gift cards from Amazon and they will be delivered same day. I’m going to have my kids make cards after school today. I added a few items that I signed up for on the sign up genius.

It took longer to type this on dcum.

Some people complain for the sake of complaining. OP could have clicked and ordered in the time she was complaining on dcum. You don’t have to do everything.

If this gift card or napkins or orange juice is a hardship for your family, just don’t participate.

The irony is, you don’t have to participate in this thread if other people’s dissatisfaction bothers you so very much. Live by your same rules! It took you longer to type out your reasoning why OP should see the world the way you do than it would have taken you to, you know, scroll on by.

DP. I like that you’re honest about needing to put on that hairshirt.

I like your dedication to hypocrisy, the way you can excuse the 100 things you complain about every day, and justify the minutiae that gets under your skin, just because this one thing that bothers someone else isn’t something that bothers you.

You need to get over yourself, or have a loved one get you some counseling, for real.

I’m sure you’re off to complain about tipping hotel employees or those swivel-tips at the bagel shop, or how some women think leggings are pants, or that you don’t like the new “Bridgerton” spin-off, or one of the 100 things you think it is justified to complain about. Byeeeeee!

I don’t have 99 problems, or take stupid things or stupider people to heart. You’re your problem, and I’m sure a source of “ugh god” for everyone around you.

(Maybe add more to the next gift card.)

Hee hee, so much free real estate in your tiny brain! Roomy in here.

[Anonymous]

Ok, here is a suggestion for any PTA folks out there who feel trapped between wanting to do something nice for the teachers and feeling like people resent being told to do things:

Instead of assigning specific activities, make it your job to REMIND families that it's teacher appreciation week. SOLICIT ideas from teachers on what would make them feel appreciated and supported, and then INFORM families of these suggestions. Use some PTA funds to do a group gift, and then post pictures of teachers on social media (with their permission) throughout the week to give a shout out to them individually.

Families with bandwidth will do stuff on the suggestion list or things they think of themselves. The ones who don't have bandwidth can still donate money for the group gifts and can write supportive messages on those social media posts. Some people will do nothing and honestly it's fine because please remember some families don't have capacity to do anything. Teachers will receive individual gifts, a group gift, and be recognized by name, plus they will feel appreciated because you bothered to ask them what they actually wanted. All your bases are covered but without just telling families "do this thing that might take time or resources you don't have" or giving teachers things they don't actually want, or turning it into a competition for people.

You can't really win with this, someone will always complain. But the thing I always reminded myself on the PTA was that my biggest role was facilitating. Whether it was informing people or collecting opinions and ideas and then communicating them to the right people, my job wasn't to actually run anything or tell anyone what to do, but to facilitate others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I literally just ordered gift cards from Amazon and they will be delivered same day. I’m going to have my kids make cards after school today. I added a few items that I signed up for on the sign up genius.

It took longer to type this on dcum.

Some people complain for the sake of complaining. OP could have clicked and ordered in the time she was complaining on dcum. You don’t have to do everything.

If this gift card or napkins or orange juice is a hardship for your family, just don’t participate.

The irony is, you don’t have to participate in this thread if other people’s dissatisfaction bothers you so very much. Live by your same rules! It took you longer to type out your reasoning why OP should see the world the way you do than it would have taken you to, you know, scroll on by.

DP. I like that you’re honest about needing to put on that hairshirt.

I like your dedication to hypocrisy, the way you can excuse the 100 things you complain about every day, and justify the minutiae that gets under your skin, just because this one thing that bothers someone else isn’t something that bothers you.

You need to get over yourself, or have a loved one get you some counseling, for real.

I’m sure you’re off to complain about tipping hotel employees or those swivel-tips at the bagel shop, or how some women think leggings are pants, or that you don’t like the new “Bridgerton” spin-off, or one of the 100 things you think it is justified to complain about. Byeeeeee!

I don’t have 99 problems, or take stupid things or stupider people to heart. You’re your problem, and I’m sure a source of “ugh god” for everyone around you.

(Maybe add more to the next gift card.)

Hee hee, so much free real estate in your tiny brain! Roomy in here.

I don’t understand how you have the time to troll! You’ve been treated so cruelly and with such limited understanding by the teachers, the administration, your husband (?), your calmer ‘friends,’ the parents who aren’t stress-crapping themselves over PTA stuff, it’s so unfair, how is it none of them understand how hard this has been for you, year in and year out? You’re exhausted! Welp, I hope things turn around for you some day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is comical.

First of all, you’re “run ragged” because of … teacher appreciation week at your kids school? I don’t even know what that means. You can literally do absolutely NOTHING for teacher appreciation week and it’ll be just fine.

Second, and just so I’m clear, we’re now blocking out not only Mothers Day but the entire week beforehand? Jesus Christ. I’ll bet you also throw yourself a “birthday week”.

Grow up.

Are you somehow saying that OP, personally, turned a nationally-recognized week into a “Week”? Are you saying that she and she alone chose to stretch this out? I’ve had kids in elementary and daycare for 11 years now, and it has always been a week. Numerous theme days, sign-ups, food carts, etc. Of course “no one has to participate” but you know who would notice if our family didn’t participate? My kids. They are now old enough to write their own notes, but that hasn’t always been the case.

Oh, so the issue is that you have to martyr yourself in front of your kids, along with everyone else. This is so fascinating to me. You have to be ‘run ragged’ because uh Jasper needs to write his own note in this ‘nationally-recognized’ week. I love this thread!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m a teacher and none of the parents have been at school or sent anything in. We do a breakfast one day and that’s it. This means that the kids come in with a jug of orange juice or whatever. I’m confused about what’s running you so ragged. I’m also a mother and I don’t understand how this is related to Mother’s Day at all. Are you okay?

Welp, your school/PTA/parents don’t overdo it, and that’s fine, but don’t act like your experience is the only one that matters. Our school is one that overdoes it, and asks/cajoles/begs for seriously 15 different themes and activities.

Pretend your school/PTA/other parents are like your husband when he asks/cajoles/begs for you to get a grip, relax (does he dare? Would anyone?): ignore it!

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand all these people getting upset at feeding some teachers and sending in some gift cards. Multiple people have said that you don’t have to do anything and certainly not everything. No one will know you didn’t send in fruit or bagels for the staff breakfast. Have your kids write a note or not.

One year, I forgot and my kid brought in a gift card and hand written note the following Monday. One year, I sent in happy birthday gift cards because I didn’t have my act together. This year, I thought staff appreciation was last week and had extra time and participating in all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who planned this? Every damn year, the week leading up to Mother’s Day is Teacher A-Freaking-ppreciation Week. I appreciate teachers and do more than my part to celebrate them multiple times a year—gift cards and buying from Amazon wish lists multiple times a year, contributing to numerous PTA lunches and coffee carts, volunteering as a chaperone and helping with class parties, on and on. I do gift cards, notes, and a SignUpGenius contribution for the Teacher Appreciation Week stuff.

But why must we run mother’s ragged during this specific time? It’s like squeeze all the juice out of the lemon before celebrating moms on one DAY after they’ve spent a week doing things for teachers. It’s a lot, on top of a full-time job and all the other things we do as moms.

Eleanor Roosevelt - and then it was moved by the National PTA to May in 1984.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Who planned this? Every damn year, the week leading up to Mother’s Day is Teacher A-Freaking-ppreciation Week. I appreciate teachers and do more than my part to celebrate them multiple times a year—gift cards and buying from Amazon wish lists multiple times a year, contributing to numerous PTA lunches and coffee carts, volunteering as a chaperone and helping with class parties, on and on. I do gift cards, notes, and a SignUpGenius contribution for the Teacher Appreciation Week stuff.

But why must we run mother’s ragged during this specific time? It’s like squeeze all the juice out of the lemon before celebrating moms on one DAY after they’ve spent a week doing things for teachers. It’s a lot, on top of a full-time job and all the other things we do as moms.

Eleanor Roosevelt - and then it was moved by the National PTA to May in 1984.

Is Eleanor Roosevelt’s grave a protected historical site? If not, I fear some run ragged mamas are going to defile it in order to strike a blow for freedom from the tyranny of appreciation requests everywhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand all these people getting upset at feeding some teachers and sending in some gift cards. Multiple people have said that you don’t have to do anything and certainly not everything. No one will know you didn’t send in fruit or bagels for the staff breakfast. Have your kids write a note or not.

One year, I forgot and my kid brought in a gift card and hand written note the following Monday. One year, I sent in happy birthday gift cards because I didn’t have my act together. This year, I thought staff appreciation was last week and had extra time and participating in all.

Because it has moved from genuinely showing appreciation to expected tasks made up by women for other women to do. The degree of this expectation and obligation various from school to school, but at most schools, it is there. It is no longer a show of gratitude, but another several things (mostly) women feel socially obligated to do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t understand all these people getting upset at feeding some teachers and sending in some gift cards. Multiple people have said that you don’t have to do anything and certainly not everything. No one will know you didn’t send in fruit or bagels for the staff breakfast. Have your kids write a note or not.

One year, I forgot and my kid brought in a gift card and hand written note the following Monday. One year, I sent in happy birthday gift cards because I didn’t have my act together. This year, I thought staff appreciation was last week and had extra time and participating in all.

Because it has moved from genuinely showing appreciation to expected tasks made up by women for other women to do. The degree of this expectation and obligation various from school to school, but at most schools, it is there. It is no longer a show of gratitude, but another several things (mostly) women feel socially obligated to do.

I sent it some snacks with my kid to stock up the teacher lounge today. I didn’t feel obligated. I didn’t have to do it. It was easy and I did it. At drop off, I dropped off the snacks and some front office said they loved the snacks I brought in. I saw other parents bringing in tangerines, soda, k cups, etc. these are items you could very easily have picked up at your weekly grocery run.

My kids can make cards today after school and I will write a thank you card. They can take it in tomorrow or the day after.

[Anonymous]

As far as I know the PTA didn’t invent teacher appreciation week. It’s a National thing that occurs every year. You can plan ahead if you want to do something and feel stressed at this time of year. Or you can just ignore it. Or tell your husband he’s in charge of it going forward and then cross it off your list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:as an exhausted teacher this Mondat morning I appreciated the laughs this thread provided.

you must be the reason our spelling program is non-existent

Grammer nazi

I can’t help myself now…

Your text should read:
“Grammar Nazi.”