How can I make the room mom happy?

[Anonymous]

OP, I’m going to assume that the PTSD issue is significant unlike others here that are being disrespectful. I would ask why you feel that you need to make the room mom happy. Do you have anxiety or social anxiety? There is so much stress and pressure in your life already, don’t fixate on this. Send her an email saying your limitations and asking how you can help - ie, I can donate time to plan or find goods online, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you care about making the room mom happy?

This. I mean, OP, if you are suffering from PTSD, why is making a room mom happy on your list of concerns right now?

- room mom three years running

I agree...with everything you have going on right now, pleasing the room mom should be at the bottom of the list. And if the room mom isn't pleased by you, then that's an issue with her, not you. Especially if you don't fit the more common demographic of the school...that's definitely HER issue, not yours. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you care about making the room mom happy?

This. I mean, OP, if you are suffering from PTSD, why is making a room mom happy on your list of concerns right now?

- room mom three years running

Because I don't have any local friends, and making someone angry (or even irritating them) seems counterproductive, no? Especially when that kind of gets around. I don't want to be pegged as difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you care about making the room mom happy?

This. I mean, OP, if you are suffering from PTSD, why is making a room mom happy on your list of concerns right now?

- room mom three years running

Because I don't have any local friends, and making someone angry (or even irritating them) seems counterproductive, no? Especially when that kind of gets around. I don't want to be pegged as difficult.

But like someone suggested, I'll just suggest I buy cake and pizza. Something that be delivered. Hopefully she'll go for it.

[Anonymous]

OP again Easter is so far away. Tuck this in a far corner

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There is no reason NOT to have a party if kids are in school (I don't agree with kids being in school but I don't get the party hate). OP, you don't have to attend but don't blame COVID if you are out socializing, living your every day life and willing to send your kids back to school as you will get it from your kids if they catch it at school.

Just offer to buy but say you'd prefer not to coordinate it at school. Get a large costco cake, pizza, drinks, and some fresh fruit (Strawberries and Grapes), dollar tree decorations (table cloths, plates, cups, etc) and done. Kids don't need tons of food. Pizza Hut and other places often have $5 pizza with delivery. 1-2 slices for little kids and 2-3 for bigger kids.

1. Because school time should be reserved for learning, not parties.
2. Because there are too many parties.
3. Kids are supposed to mask and stay distanced, which is impossible in a party.
4. Because while lunch can be eaten distanced at desks and unmasking will be a novelty for that purpose won’t be fun, eating desserts and having parties IS fun. The more excited the kid, the farther sputum flies (constantly in classrooms for parties and other reasons, list count looooong ago of the number of excited children who accidentally spit while talking).
5. Because OP is in complete lockdown due to PTSD exacerbated by viewing all the masks (understandable, given the trauma).
6. Because no parent has the right to force another parent into funding or volunteering for a party they don’t want.
7. Because it’s asinine to demand every parent either fund a party (with their household possibly on a shoestring budget) or sacrifice work time or mental health to volunteer.

I’m sure I can come up with more reasons for anyone to hate the idea of parties in general, parties right now, or for OP in particular to dread this.

[Anonymous]

This is so weird. What school already has room moms, first of all, much less room moms who have sent out info for signing up for volunteer slots?

And that is not even getting into Covid. . .

My kids go to a parochial school and we are going back five days a week, but even then we never select room moms until about one month into school. (And who knows what will happen THIS year.)

Also, we never have an Easter party because the Catholic schools’ Spring Break always begins on Holy Thursday, goes through Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday, and then the whole following week (while the publics are going back to school) and then we return to school the following Monday.

So I do not even feel OP is talking about a parochial sccool.

??????

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is no reason NOT to have a party if kids are in school (I don't agree with kids being in school but I don't get the party hate). OP, you don't have to attend but don't blame COVID if you are out socializing, living your every day life and willing to send your kids back to school as you will get it from your kids if they catch it at school.

Just offer to buy but say you'd prefer not to coordinate it at school. Get a large costco cake, pizza, drinks, and some fresh fruit (Strawberries and Grapes), dollar tree decorations (table cloths, plates, cups, etc) and done. Kids don't need tons of food. Pizza Hut and other places often have $5 pizza with delivery. 1-2 slices for little kids and 2-3 for bigger kids.

1. Because school time should be reserved for learning, not parties.
2. Because there are too many parties.
3. Kids are supposed to mask and stay distanced, which is impossible in a party.
4. Because while lunch can be eaten distanced at desks and unmasking will be a novelty for that purpose won’t be fun, eating desserts and having parties IS fun. The more excited the kid, the farther sputum flies (constantly in classrooms for parties and other reasons, list count looooong ago of the number of excited children who accidentally spit while talking).
5. Because OP is in complete lockdown due to PTSD exacerbated by viewing all the masks (understandable, given the trauma).
6. Because no parent has the right to force another parent into funding or volunteering for a party they don’t want.
7. Because it’s asinine to demand every parent either fund a party (with their household possibly on a shoestring budget) or sacrifice work time or mental health to volunteer.

I’m sure I can come up with more reasons for anyone to hate the idea of parties in general, parties right now, or for OP in particular to dread this.

You sound like a really boring parent. If kids are supposed to be masked and social distance they should be staying home, but they aren't so why not let them have a bit of fun. This is a school party, not home party. You can easily do a school party for between $50-75, maybe a little bit more if you are careful. I've done pretty impressive parties for under $100.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why do you care about making the room mom happy?

This. I mean, OP, if you are suffering from PTSD, why is making a room mom happy on your list of concerns right now?

- room mom three years running

Because I don't have any local friends, and making someone angry (or even irritating them) seems counterproductive, no? Especially when that kind of gets around. I don't want to be pegged as difficult.

But like someone suggested, I'll just suggest I buy cake and pizza. Something that be delivered. Hopefully she'll go for it.

Just send in plates, table clothes, forks (dollar tree) and a cake (Costco large cake though they don't make them now is cheaper than tons of cupcakes) plus water in the AM and have pizza delivered. Done. Simple. Pizza Hut and Dominos usually have $5 pizza specials. Get plain and pepperoni (none of the kids usually eat anything else as we had parents order some other kinds). Don't over think it. Fruit is also nice. You don't need chips, candy, or anything else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hard to believe this. Our school has said no parties, and no parents are allowed in the building.

Umm, our schools have said no STUDENTS in the building.

This has to be made up. Either that or you have way too much time on your hands that you're worrying about Easter parties.

I'm worried if my kid will ever be educated again.

There’s an Easter party? Must be a catholic school.

[Anonymous]

You know you don't have to sign up for something, right? Remove yourself, email and ask what you can do that's not in person.

[Anonymous]

Dummies, this is obviously for a Catholic school. Private schools are starting in person.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WTF? Just tell her no. Use your words like a big kid. Don't tell her yes and then flake later.

When I was room mom, I didn't mind at all when people did literally zero volunteering, it's completely understandable that some people aren't available. But for someone to take on a commitment and then flake later makes things difficult for everyone.

THIS!
that said, no parties should be happening....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTF? Just tell her no. Use your words like a big kid. Don't tell her yes and then flake later.

When I was room mom, I didn't mind at all when people did literally zero volunteering, it's completely understandable that some people aren't available. But for someone to take on a commitment and then flake later makes things difficult for everyone.

THIS!
that said, no parties should be happening....

I’d be fine with no parties ever. Or enforce the 30 minute maximum per party and ap it at the maximum number per year. The amount of learning time wasted is ridiculous.