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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

But what about if I don't think the teacher is doing a good job with my child? Not all teachers work incredibly, incredibly hard. Some are actually pretty bad. If they are not doing right by my kid, then I feel pretty comfortable with not buying a gift or contributing to a class gift.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

We have several room parents. One insists on the crap and insists on buying the snacks. Its not all of us. To me as a room parent, its not worth asking for money for parties. our school restricts it so its not worth the hassle of trying to chase down $70 or so when the party will cost $100. I am just paying for it. We will no the doing group gifts this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Birthday?? No way. Christmas, teacher appreciation and end of year is plenty.

[Anonymous]

First of all OP God bless you for taking it on. I've done it and I hate it. I prefer to volunteer in other ways. The really good room moms I've seen (which does not include me) make 4 requests. First two requests come the same week-1 via email and 1 via note home in weekly folder. (Attaching an envelope sounds like a good idea). Third request comes maybe a week later. Fourth request comes 2 or so weeks after that saying something like "It's not too late" and "any amount would be so helpful."

One year for things like pizza parties the room parent charged by the slice and had us pay by a certain date. She gave a reminder or 2. it's an affluent area and the cost was pretty low (she had good coupons). You'd be surprised how many parents get their act together to buy their kid 2 slices of pizza. Sucks for kids who's parents still don't do it, but honestly I think she said she got 100% participation.

[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.

Dude, give it a rest. I'm a room mom and planning on getting some stuff for the Halloween and valentine parties - which I assume your kid will attend - and a gift card at the holidays with a card. you sound like a complete nightmare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is exactly the kind of neighborhood it is. These people work six-figure jobs and drive Range Rovers. is absolutely not a question of not be able to afford it. -OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Dude, give it a rest. I'm a room mom and planning on getting some stuff for the Halloween and valentine parties - which I assume your kid will attend - and a gift card at the holidays with a card. you sound like a complete nightmare.

What kind of Halloween and Valentine stuff are you getting? Popcorn, artificial tasting cupcakes and and candies? You can keep them to yourself, dear. My twins know what is good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Dude, give it a rest. I'm a room mom and planning on getting some stuff for the Halloween and valentine parties - which I assume your kid will attend - and a gift card at the holidays with a card. you sound like a complete nightmare.

What kind of Halloween and Valentine stuff are you getting? Popcorn, artificial tasting cupcakes and and candies? You can keep them to yourself, dear. My twins know what is good.

One "and" gets off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Dude, give it a rest. I'm a room mom and planning on getting some stuff for the Halloween and valentine parties - which I assume your kid will attend - and a gift card at the holidays with a card. you sound like a complete nightmare.

What kind of Halloween and Valentine stuff are you getting? Popcorn, artificial tasting cupcakes and and candies? You can keep them to yourself, dear. My twins know what is good.

You should hook up with the " I don't allow my kids one piece of Halloween candy" poster. streamers for the room, craft supplies, pretzels dipped in chocolate, and a pumpkin with fruit skewers. Yes, a gift card for the teacher at the holidays and the end of the year. But we get it - you don't want to contribute. I have a feeling you're not invited to many things anyway.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Dude, give it a rest. I'm a room mom and planning on getting some stuff for the Halloween and valentine parties - which I assume your kid will attend - and a gift card at the holidays with a card. you sound like a complete nightmare.

What kind of Halloween and Valentine stuff are you getting? Popcorn, artificial tasting cupcakes and and candies? You can keep them to yourself, dear. My twins know what is good.

You should hook up with the " I don't allow my kids one piece of Halloween candy" poster. streamers for the room, craft supplies, pretzels dipped in chocolate, and a pumpkin with fruit skewers. Yes, a gift card for the teacher at the holidays and the end of the year. But we get it - you don't want to contribute. I have a feeling you're not invited to many things anyway.

I contribute with educative stuff every month and a heavy check. Don't worry, dear. I appreciate I'm not invited to your crappy parties. I have enough of the good ones.

[Anonymous]

As room parent I also send out reminders addressed to the 'whole class' but I bcc the email addresses and only send it to those who haven't paid. This way I don't feel bad clogging the inboxes of those who contributed right away.

[Anonymous]

Put and envelope between the folders for their check.
My ex sent in $15 instead of the $50 requested. We live in different households, but we do have the money. He said he sent it in and then I heard from DC that he sent in $15 only.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Dude, give it a rest. I'm a room mom and planning on getting some stuff for the Halloween and valentine parties - which I assume your kid will attend - and a gift card at the holidays with a card. you sound like a complete nightmare.

What kind of Halloween and Valentine stuff are you getting? Popcorn, artificial tasting cupcakes and and candies? You can keep them to yourself, dear. My twins know what is good.

You should hook up with the " I don't allow my kids one piece of Halloween candy" poster. streamers for the room, craft supplies, pretzels dipped in chocolate, and a pumpkin with fruit skewers. Yes, a gift card for the teacher at the holidays and the end of the year. But we get it - you don't want to contribute. I have a feeling you're not invited to many things anyway.

I contribute with educative stuff every month and a heavy check. Don't worry, dear. I appreciate I'm not invited to your crappy parties. I have enough of the good ones.

God how insufferable. I'm a room parent and if you are a parent in my kid's class, I hope you either step up and volunteer some extra time, or step up and throw in some extra money or keep your complaints to yourself. Trying to plan three parties plus a teacher gift off of a budget of $20/child when you never get 100% of the families donating does not always allow for great creativity or choice when it comes to foods. If your kid getting some grapes, carrot sticks and a mini cupcake at a school party is so offensive to you, by all means step up and donate the type of food you think should be served. Keep in mind school policies on how things need to be store bought, and keeping in mind kids who have allergies. Keep in mind that this is a school party. For kids. When you were a kid did you eschew cupcakes and popcorn? I doubt it. I do contribute my own money to cover some gaps, so your attitude is really frustrating to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

Dude, give it a rest. I'm a room mom and planning on getting some stuff for the Halloween and valentine parties - which I assume your kid will attend - and a gift card at the holidays with a card. you sound like a complete nightmare.

What kind of Halloween and Valentine stuff are you getting? Popcorn, artificial tasting cupcakes and and candies? You can keep them to yourself, dear. My twins know what is good.

You should hook up with the " I don't allow my kids one piece of Halloween candy" poster. streamers for the room, craft supplies, pretzels dipped in chocolate, and a pumpkin with fruit skewers. Yes, a gift card for the teacher at the holidays and the end of the year. But we get it - you don't want to contribute. I have a feeling you're not invited to many things anyway.

I contribute with educative stuff every month and a heavy check. Don't worry, dear. I appreciate I'm not invited to your crappy parties. I have enough of the good ones.

God how insufferable. I'm a room parent and if you are a parent in my kid's class, I hope you either step up and volunteer some extra time, or step up and throw in some extra money or keep your complaints to yourself. Trying to plan three parties plus a teacher gift off of a budget of $20/child when you never get 100% of the families donating does not always allow for great creativity or choice when it comes to foods. If your kid getting some grapes, carrot sticks and a mini cupcake at a school party is so offensive to you, by all means step up and donate the type of food you think should be served. Keep in mind school policies on how things need to be store bought, and keeping in mind kids who have allergies. Keep in mind that this is a school party. For kids. When you were a kid did you eschew cupcakes and popcorn? I doubt it. I do contribute my own money to cover some gaps, so your attitude is really frustrating to me.

I'm really hoping that poster is messing with us at is not an actual parent. If she is I really feel bad for her kids. And I'm not the type to say that normally.

[Anonymous]

Op ~ there will always be a % of people who don't contribute. It's silly not to expect this. Doesn't matter the reason. You should plan on 50% and be happy if 75 -80% contribute.