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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You know you don't have to do all (or any) of it, right?

And then we’ll be treated to more “Teachers are soooooo unapprecccciiiiattteeddd” threads here on DCUM.

Teacher here, and ouch.

You don’t have to do a thing to show appreciation. I don’t need coffee, mugs, cards, etc. You know what I would like? An ounce of respect. That’s all. I’m a professional, so treat me like one. From you, that might look like passing on the next opportunity to disrespect teachers.

Yes! I can't for the life of me understand the mentality of some people around here. It's like they go through the motions of "appreciation" with ridiculous food gifts, etc, and then turn around and gossip meanly about their kids' teachers just because they've done their gratitude thing and it doesn't carry over to actually important things like RESPECT. Exactly like what they do for Mother's Day: do something for their MILs or mothers that day, then spend the entire rest of the year complaining about them

Sigh. We humans are such flawed creatures.

Because their “appreciation” is really just self-aggrandizing attention-seeking, and they’d damn well be thanked loudly and publicly for their grand gestures.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most teachers don't want gifts. They want gift cards or simple notes of appreciation.

No. One. On this thread. Said. Otherwise.

Your keyboard appears to be broken. You really should replace it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You know you don't have to do all (or any) of it, right?

And then we’ll be treated to more “Teachers are soooooo unapprecccciiiiattteeddd” threads here on DCUM.

Teacher here, and ouch.

You don’t have to do a thing to show appreciation. I don’t need coffee, mugs, cards, etc. You know what I would like? An ounce of respect. That’s all. I’m a professional, so treat me like one. From you, that might look like passing on the next opportunity to disrespect teachers.

Yes! I can't for the life of me understand the mentality of some people around here. It's like they go through the motions of "appreciation" with ridiculous food gifts, etc, and then turn around and gossip meanly about their kids' teachers just because they've done their gratitude thing and it doesn't carry over to actually important things like RESPECT. Exactly like what they do for Mother's Day: do something for their MILs or mothers that day, then spend the entire rest of the year complaining about them

Sigh. We humans are such flawed creatures.

Because their “appreciation” is really just self-aggrandizing attention-seeking, and they’d damn well be thanked loudly and publicly for their grand gestures.

Interesting (and wrong) take.

Instead, teachers (including me) have posted that we’d be fine with no teacher appreciation events. Simply treat us like professionals instead.

Let’s try. Next time you want to insult millions of teachers with a nasty comment, try keeping it to yourself.

[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.

So don’t participate. No one is holding a gun to your head. Just for the love of God, stop WHINING.

You are so right. OP sounds so WHINY and annoying!

Some moms are fine. And you don't have to, its a choice. Must be a she. She can just give a gift card with $50 Visa money and a card made by her kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m the staff appreciation chair at my school. I don’t think it is that much work and I am the chair. It really isn’t a big deal to send in some muffins or fruit and a gift card. If you don’t want to send anything in, that is fine too. You can literally spend 2 minutes ordering on Amazon.

We are doing a parent sponsored breakfast, stocking the teacher lounge, gift cards and a catered lunch. I’m catering the lunch. Parents donate some granola bars and drinks for the lounge, napkins, etc. it isn’t that much work for me or for you.

I am sure there are some teachers who don’t care but then there are others who look forward to the catered lunch and appreciate the stocked coffee and snacks in the lounge.

If you don’t want to spend the time or money sending in some snacks, that is fine too. We have over 500 families at our school. We have around 50 slots to sign up for breakfast and the lounge stocking. I would say most parents just send in a gift card with a note and that is fine/

“Staff appreciation chair” wow.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

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.

So don’t participate. No one is holding a gun to your head. Just for the love of God, stop WHINING.

You are so right. OP sounds so WHINY and annoying!

Some moms are fine. And you don't have to, it’s a choice. Must be a she. She can just give a gift card with $50 Visa money and a card made by her kid.

What? No. She doesn’t need to “just give gift card.” No one needs to be giving gift cards and gifts to teachers throughout the year- at all. If you want to, ok. But if you don’t, there is nothing socially unacceptable about not buying gifts or gift cards for the teacher. Appreciation is a acknowledging and showing gratitude. If you are grateful for your child’s teacher, you can also write a note- that is enough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m the staff appreciation chair at my school. I don’t think it is that much work and I am the chair. It really isn’t a big deal to send in some muffins or fruit and a gift card. If you don’t want to send anything in, that is fine too. You can literally spend 2 minutes ordering on Amazon.

We are doing a parent sponsored breakfast, stocking the teacher lounge, gift cards and a catered lunch. I’m catering the lunch. Parents donate some granola bars and drinks for the lounge, napkins, etc. it isn’t that much work for me or for you.

I am sure there are some teachers who don’t care but then there are others who look forward to the catered lunch and appreciate the stocked coffee and snacks in the lounge.

If you don’t want to spend the time or money sending in some snacks, that is fine too. We have over 500 families at our school. We have around 50 slots to sign up for breakfast and the lounge stocking. I would say most parents just send in a gift card with a note and that is fine/

“Staff appreciation chair” wow.

Why the b i t c h y response? Did someone pee in your Cheerios? Or are you always this rude?

One way that parent groups are organized is by the tasks. Someone is the chair of BINGO Night, someone is the chair of Book Fair, etc. That person takes the lead in organizing volunteers and coordinating with school staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not required to do all that. The best way to show appreciation is to encourage your child to be well behaved and work hard.

Amen!

[Anonymous]

It’s really not that burdensome to grab a target gift card.

[Anonymous]

Ha. My child goes to a title 1 school. I am stressed because I really hope the teachers get anything. There was a sign up to donate stuff for a staff breakfast and as of now most slots were empty. There are no room parents. I am on the PTA and we struggle getting volunteers.

The school sent home a list of things to do each day - like write a note, get the teacher a favorite snack, etc. I plan on doing that. That is not too stressful. I will also sent in a gift card and supplies.

- single mom AND also a teacher

[Anonymous]

Look I’m not going to pretend there’s not a vast amount of misogyny baked into ALL aspects of this— paying teachers so little that “appreciation” gifts matter, expecting teachers to be “appreciated” by free breakfast something provided every day in Silicon Valley…expecting mothers to spend time being “appreciation chairs” as an unpaid activity…all of it. All of it.

But, you are making this way too hard on yourself and there is no excuse for that other than poor planning. Let me help you make 2023 the last year this sucks for you:

On prime day or cyber week, gift cards are discounted (I think last year target did $10 off every $50). Purchase $400 worth of $50 gift cards, put them in your top desk drawer.

If you or anyone in your group chat go to Aldi you will find occasionally nice-looking but inexpensive thank you cards. Buy 8. If you must make your life harder also grab a holiday themed card or two.

Every time there is a request for teacher appreciation, Venmo the organizer, have your kid scribble in a card, add a gift card and send the card to school. Do not “scramble”. Do not volunteer for anything extra. Do not stress further. Do not continue to think about this after confirming the card reached the teacher.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look I’m not going to pretend there’s not a vast amount of misogyny baked into ALL aspects of this— paying teachers so little that “appreciation” gifts matter, expecting teachers to be “appreciated” by free breakfast something provided every day in Silicon Valley…expecting mothers to spend time being “appreciation chairs” as an unpaid activity…all of it. All of it.

But, you are making this way too hard on yourself and there is no excuse for that other than poor planning. Let me help you make 2023 the last year this sucks for you:

On prime day or cyber week, gift cards are discounted (I think last year target did $10 off every $50). Purchase $400 worth of $50 gift cards, put them in your top desk drawer.

If you or anyone in your group chat go to Aldi you will find occasionally nice-looking but inexpensive thank you cards. Buy 8. If you must make your life harder also grab a holiday themed card or two.

Every time there is a request for teacher appreciation, Venmo the organizer, have your kid scribble in a card, add a gift card and send the card to school. Do not “scramble”. Do not volunteer for anything extra. Do not stress further. Do not continue to think about this after confirming the card reached the teacher.

Tone deaf, much? Not all of us have $400 to “just” throw around at any one time, let alone to pre-pay a long-term investment for some future date. Wow, $50 each for teacher gift cards? Must be freaking nice. Wow, how organized you are, what a planner you are. Oh, wait. You’re just rich.

[Anonymous]

I just looked up the sign-up genius for teacher appreciation week at our school. It’s cuckoo. It’s a lot of crappy food. I don’t mind if people want it but it looks kind of excessive. There’s a trail mix bar a candy bar a pastry bar.

I’d much rather send in a personal note and gift to our teacher with a donation for classroom.

[Anonymous]

^ Our pta is clearly carb motivated

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look I’m not going to pretend there’s not a vast amount of misogyny baked into ALL aspects of this— paying teachers so little that “appreciation” gifts matter, expecting teachers to be “appreciated” by free breakfast something provided every day in Silicon Valley…expecting mothers to spend time being “appreciation chairs” as an unpaid activity…all of it. All of it.

But, you are making this way too hard on yourself and there is no excuse for that other than poor planning. Let me help you make 2023 the last year this sucks for you:

On prime day or cyber week, gift cards are discounted (I think last year target did $10 off every $50). Purchase $400 worth of $50 gift cards, put them in your top desk drawer.

If you or anyone in your group chat go to Aldi you will find occasionally nice-looking but inexpensive thank you cards. Buy 8. If you must make your life harder also grab a holiday themed card or two.

Every time there is a request for teacher appreciation, Venmo the organizer, have your kid scribble in a card, add a gift card and send the card to school. Do not “scramble”. Do not volunteer for anything extra. Do not stress further. Do not continue to think about this after confirming the card reached the teacher.

Tone deaf, much? Not all of us have $400 to “just” throw around at any one time, let alone to pre-pay a long-term investment for some future date. Wow, $50 each for teacher gift cards? Must be freaking nice. Wow, how organized you are, what a planner you are. Oh, wait. You’re just rich.

$400 is cheaper than 16-18 hours of volunteering.