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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Op is probably ok with teachers running themselves ragged, coming up with crafts for Mother’s Day and likely paying for it out of their own pocket.

+1

[Anonymous]

The worst are the theme days. Every day the kids are supposed to bring something for the teacher that fits the theme. And each of my kid’s classes had a different theme on each day.

[Anonymous]

It is such a busy time of year, our PTA started celebrating in March. The PTA collects donations and then plans something each day for the week that is chosen. So much easier for everyone while still showing appreciation to the teachers and staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Feeling like Mother’s Day and the week before Mother’s Day is this important is a cry from help for yourself. It suggests you’re not feeling appreciated or supported by your family in your day to day life. So you’re putting a bunch of pressure on Mother’s Day to “make up” in some way for the other days and that’s just not a healthy or sustainable way to approach it.

Somehow, you have to achieve some more balance where you’re spending less time caring for other people and more time on yourself. I know it’s tough. But it’s the only solution. Your family may or may not help you with this.

I agree with the above.

For my family, Mother's Day and Father's Day are just another Sunday, and neither DH nor I feel neglected. We show appreciation for each other throughout the year, so we don't overdo it for those specific "holidays."

I'd much rather spend time and energy showing appreciation for my kids' teachers than get my panties in a bunch about a Hallmark holiday.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is such a busy time of year, our PTA started celebrating in March. The PTA collects donations and then plans something each day for the week that is chosen. So much easier for everyone while still showing appreciation to the teachers and staff.

This is how it should work. Most of the PTA is made up with moms who enjoy this sort of thing--planning cutesy gifts and a coffee/dessert bar, etc. I'm no good at that stuff, but I will give you whatever $ you ask for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The worst are the theme days. Every day the kids are supposed to bring something for the teacher that fits the theme. And each of my kid’s classes had a different theme on each day.

Agreed, this truly IS the worst. "Just get a few cards and gift cards in September"? Not when you have 10 different themed days! I really hate this particular model.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give cash to teachers. That is what I do. I give gift cards to all my kid's teachers.

OP here. I…literally said in my original post that I give gift cards to teachers. I don’t get them cutesy crap, just a gift card and a note, and then I also make a contribution to whatever the PTA is doing, like muffins or napkins or something. I consider that to be pretty bare bones, but still…all of it is a lot on top of everything else moms do. I think it would be much nicer if Teacher Appreciation was at the end of the school year or something, not right before Mother’s Day.

This seems like such a minor commitment that it’s hard to see why it matters that it’s right before Mother’s Day. Also every single thing you mentioned can be done at any point in time during the school year. Pick a week in September and run to the store and get a gift card, a card and some napkins. Heck you could do it once and purchase everything for all six or seven years of your kid’s elementary years - none of this is perishable.

Do you mean like do it in September, which many of us already do to prepare for *teacher holiday gifts*?

I never heard of teacher holiday gifts. Sounds made up at your school

NP. Um, if you don’t get your teachers anything for the holidays, know you are an outlier. It’s not some organized thing, it’s just common courtesy in the spirit of the season.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give cash to teachers. That is what I do. I give gift cards to all my kid's teachers.

OP here. I…literally said in my original post that I give gift cards to teachers. I don’t get them cutesy crap, just a gift card and a note, and then I also make a contribution to whatever the PTA is doing, like muffins or napkins or something. I consider that to be pretty bare bones, but still…all of it is a lot on top of everything else moms do. I think it would be much nicer if Teacher Appreciation was at the end of the school year or something, not right before Mother’s Day.

This seems like such a minor commitment that it’s hard to see why it matters that it’s right before Mother’s Day. Also every single thing you mentioned can be done at any point in time during the school year. Pick a week in September and run to the store and get a gift card, a card and some napkins. Heck you could do it once and purchase everything for all six or seven years of your kid’s elementary years - none of this is perishable.

Do you mean like do it in September, which many of us already do to prepare for *teacher holiday gifts*?

Uh, no. It is the norm to give teachers gifts at the holidays.

I never heard of teacher holiday gifts. Sounds made up at your school

[Anonymous]

Email amazon or target gift cards and be done with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op is probably ok with teachers running themselves ragged, coming up with crafts for Mother’s Day and likely paying for it out of their own pocket.

+1

I don't recall my kid ever bringing home a mother's day gift since maybe K.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give cash to teachers. That is what I do. I give gift cards to all my kid's teachers.

OP here. I…literally said in my original post that I give gift cards to teachers. I don’t get them cutesy crap, just a gift card and a note, and then I also make a contribution to whatever the PTA is doing, like muffins or napkins or something. I consider that to be pretty bare bones, but still…all of it is a lot on top of everything else moms do. I think it would be much nicer if Teacher Appreciation was at the end of the school year or something, not right before Mother’s Day.

This seems like such a minor commitment that it’s hard to see why it matters that it’s right before Mother’s Day. Also every single thing you mentioned can be done at any point in time during the school year. Pick a week in September and run to the store and get a gift card, a card and some napkins. Heck you could do it once and purchase everything for all six or seven years of your kid’s elementary years - none of this is perishable.

Do you mean like do it in September, which many of us already do to prepare for *teacher holiday gifts*?

I never heard of teacher holiday gifts. Sounds made up at your school

NP. Um, if you don’t get your teachers anything for the holidays, know you are an outlier. It’s not some organized thing, it’s just common courtesy in the spirit of the season.

Teacher here.

I wouldn’t say this is common. I’m a rather well-loved teacher, and I get 3-4 gifts each holiday season. While I appreciate the gifts, I don’t expect them.

Please just work with me. Be my partner. That’s all I ask for, and it’s something I don’t always get.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give cash to teachers. That is what I do. I give gift cards to all my kid's teachers.

OP here. I…literally said in my original post that I give gift cards to teachers. I don’t get them cutesy crap, just a gift card and a note, and then I also make a contribution to whatever the PTA is doing, like muffins or napkins or something. I consider that to be pretty bare bones, but still…all of it is a lot on top of everything else moms do. I think it would be much nicer if Teacher Appreciation was at the end of the school year or something, not right before Mother’s Day.

This seems like such a minor commitment that it’s hard to see why it matters that it’s right before Mother’s Day. Also every single thing you mentioned can be done at any point in time during the school year. Pick a week in September and run to the store and get a gift card, a card and some napkins. Heck you could do it once and purchase everything for all six or seven years of your kid’s elementary years - none of this is perishable.

Do you mean like do it in September, which many of us already do to prepare for *teacher holiday gifts*?

I never heard of teacher holiday gifts. Sounds made up at your school

NP. Um, if you don’t get your teachers anything for the holidays, know you are an outlier. It’s not some organized thing, it’s just common courtesy in the spirit of the season.

Teacher here.

I wouldn’t say this is common. I’m a rather well-loved teacher, and I get 3-4 gifts each holiday season. While I appreciate the gifts, I don’t expect them.

Please just work with me. Be my partner. That’s all I ask for, and it’s something I don’t always get.

When did I say I didn’t? Why are you trotting this out?

[Anonymous]

So, I thought this thread was going to be about volunteers having to do too much (I am one, I complained earlier about having to organize something that took way more time than I expected), but you guys are complainingg about having to do a few small things (have your kid write a note, draw a flower, wear a favorite color, bring in a treat, etc...)? Wow. Get a grip, folks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Give cash to teachers. That is what I do. I give gift cards to all my kid's teachers.

OP here. I…literally said in my original post that I give gift cards to teachers. I don’t get them cutesy crap, just a gift card and a note, and then I also make a contribution to whatever the PTA is doing, like muffins or napkins or something. I consider that to be pretty bare bones, but still…all of it is a lot on top of everything else moms do. I think it would be much nicer if Teacher Appreciation was at the end of the school year or something, not right before Mother’s Day.

This seems like such a minor commitment that it’s hard to see why it matters that it’s right before Mother’s Day. Also every single thing you mentioned can be done at any point in time during the school year. Pick a week in September and run to the store and get a gift card, a card and some napkins. Heck you could do it once and purchase everything for all six or seven years of your kid’s elementary years - none of this is perishable.

Do you mean like do it in September, which many of us already do to prepare for *teacher holiday gifts*?

I never heard of teacher holiday gifts. Sounds made up at your school

NP. Um, if you don’t get your teachers anything for the holidays, know you are an outlier. It’s not some organized thing, it’s just common courtesy in the spirit of the season.

Teacher here.

I wouldn’t say this is common. I’m a rather well-loved teacher, and I get 3-4 gifts each holiday season. While I appreciate the gifts, I don’t expect them.

Please just work with me. Be my partner. That’s all I ask for, and it’s something I don’t always get.

When did I say I didn’t? Why are you trotting this out?

I’m the PP.
I’m simply explaining that gifts during the holidays is rather uncommon. You said otherwise.

I then expanded by mentioning what I would love to receive.

[Anonymous]

This year our elementary school has deemed the entire month teacher appreciation!!! It’s an enormous sign up genius week after week after week. This isn’t any better, it’s actually worse. There are Broadway shows and musicals and band concerts and orchestra concerts and choir concerts and end of year field trips and end-of-the-year picnics. And SOL practice and actual SOLs. And so on. And yet, we are being hounded with bringing in Starbucks and smoothies and snacks for four weeks! Have your kid fill out this forced super teacher worksheet.