How much should I as room mom harass parents for $?

[Anonymous]

Op

I also had the thankless job of collecting money for class parties. Some parents refuse to pay even when they know it is for the kids. If you don't want to pay why not keep your kids home? So cheap and so annoying. Of course, I never would prevent a kid whose parents didn't pay but it is so unfair. Why do these parents think they are so special that I have to pay for their kids?

This was at a private school so it is not a question of not having money.

[Anonymous]

I hate collecting money. You never collect 100%. If you know the family, send a quick reminder via email.

I was short for a party last year. I paid about $100 extra. It wasn't a big deal. Comes with the territory.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's possible some parents prefer to do their own givings for the teacher and don't want to do a group gift.

I'm one of those parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's possible some parents prefer to do their own givings for the teacher and don't want to do a group gift.

I'm one of those parents

Because the room mom is not capable of making good choices. She doesn't represent me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's possible some parents prefer to do their own givings for the teacher and don't want to do a group gift.

I'm one of those parents

Because the room mom is not capable of making good choices. She doesn't represent me.

I'm not the room mom. I still send in the $20-40 they request. They buy the supplies for your kid's parties.

I usually give our own gifts but still contribute.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op

I also had the thankless job of collecting money for class parties. Some parents refuse to pay even when they know it is for the kids. If you don't want to pay why not keep your kids home? So cheap and so annoying. Of course, I never would prevent a kid whose parents didn't pay but it is so unfair. Why do these parents think they are so special that I have to pay for their kids?

This was at a private school so it is not a question of not having money.

So many times the room moms are cheap putting crappy sugary snacks.

[Anonymous]

Our room mom let us pay her via PayPal. I did it the second I saw the email.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our room mom let us pay her via PayPal. I did it the second I saw the email.

I think this is a great idea!

I honestly think most people don't pay bc they forget! I would remind them again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please don't kill me, I'm learning the ropes here!

New Kindergarten room parent in a wealthy district (probably matters for this discussion). School "recommends" parents commit $25 to class fund for parties and teacher gifts. Sent an email (friendly) with a deadline (before party supplies had to be bought for first party) and one reminder - $ request was in the same email as Halloween details etc, so it wasn't a "GIVE ME YOUR MONEY!" email.

7 out of 21 families haven't given anything. I know a bunch of these families and there's no way this is a financial issue for the majority. If I have to cover the teacher gift I will, but at what point do you just say eff it and stop asking? I don't want to harass people, but it's also like, come on now!

Thanks for any thoughts.

OP, first of all, kudos to you for asking for money one time to cover activities for the classroom. At my kid's school it's "send $5 for this," and "send $5 for that," and really, that a PITA. For one, 24 hours notice is not enough, because I never have cash. Plus, it's just annoying to be asked over and over and over. I literally have to be reminded 5 times every time and I don't really mind. I forget b/c the daily scramble is insane enough to begin with and I forget stuff all the time.

My guess? Those 7 families have just forgotten. I would keep asking. Frame it as benefit of the doubt - "I know how busy everyone is, and it's probably slipped your mind in the midst of juggling work and kids, but just a reminder that we're still counting on your support for the Class Activities Fund! The fund covers supplies for the little celebrations that make the school year fun for all of our kids, including class parties for Halloween, Thanksgiving, The Winter Holidays, Valentine's Day, etc. Can you send your contribution in to school by Nov. 15? Our kids will thank you!"

You may also ask your child's teacher if she would put a flyer in those kids' take-home folders whose parents have not yet contributed. Some people need that tactile, visual reminder b/c it's easy to lose things with all of the electronic noise that comes at us every day. Good luck - and from moms like me who have 0 time (or interest, really) in being a room parent, thank you.

[Anonymous]

OP- You reminded me that I need to send in the $ to my room parents. I need reminders!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Room parent had teacher stick in an envelope in the Friday folder. Easy.

Would this be a bit weird for the teacher - putting the envelop into Friday folders for their own gift? Just asking - as a new room parent with the $$ job myself. Thanks.

If you ask for a class fund, the teacher doesn't have to know that it is being used for the teacher's birthday/holiday gifts. All they have to know is it is for class activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's possible some parents prefer to do their own givings for the teacher and don't want to do a group gift.

I'm one of those parents

Because the room mom is not capable of making good choices. She doesn't represent me.

We get it. We don't doubt you exist. It's just that you don't represent 1/3 of the parents in wealthy districts!

[Anonymous]

2 emails are enough and 2/3 is actually a really good donation amount. Those 7 really might not have the money so move on with what you got.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Um...explain why teacher gets a group gift? For doing his or her job?

Oh my God. Really? Teachers work incredibly, incredibly hard for little money and have a huge influence on our kids. The LEAST we can all do is provide a nice gift for their birthday to let them know how much we appreciate what they do for our kids, don't you think?

Perhaps you think you are so special that you could handle 30 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 year olds all day? I doubt it. I know I couldn't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:2 emails are enough and 2/3 is actually a really good donation amount. Those 7 really might not have the money so move on with what you got.

That is highly unlikely if this is a private or in a wealthy district as OP implied. I've worked at one of those schools. There were literally maybe 10-20 households in the entire school who couldn't afford $25 b/c they were on majority or total financial aid. If you can afford the mortgage on a $1M house, and drive a Lexus, and carry expensive purses, you can contribute $25 to make the school year a little fun and special for your kid and their classmates.