Reply to Really cool goodie bag ideas for 3rd graders?

Forum Index » Elementary School-Aged Kids

Reply to "Really cool goodie bag ideas for 3rd graders?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here, I don’t understand what is wrong with the idea?
Kids are allowed to bring treats for their birthdays. I believe they are handed out at the end of the day but I don’t really care when- they are allowed. [b]How are goodie bags different?[/b]
[b]I want to do this because we have been invited and went to several parties so I feel bad we won’t invite these people back.[/b]
My kid doesn’t want a party because, well, he just isn’t a very people person. I asked him if he wanted a bigger party at a venue, a small home party (1-3 friends) or a getaway at a hotel with a pool and jacuzzi. He chose the latter and this is honestly what I will enjoy the most so why not. [/quote]

Treats are different than goodie bags because of the scale of expense.  Spending $5-10 for the class is a lot more accessible to people than spending $5-10 for each student.

You want to do this because your child has been to parties and you feel bad about not reciprocating.  However, there is no social obligation to do so.  Kids (and parents) understand that sometimes a kid won't have a party, will only celebrate with family, may have a small get together with friend(s), or with a large group.  There is no expectation of quid pro quo.  The closest thing to reciprocity is the idea that you can (with no requirement) bring in treats for the class.

If you feel bad about not throwing a large party, think about the kid whose family not only can't afford a party, but can't afford "cool goodie bags".  If the expectation is a gift for each child in the class, that really puts the kids whose families struggle to get them even one gift in a bind.

Moreover, even though I could afford to throw my child parties (and did - although usually not the entire class, depending on my child's preferences), I usually took in a treat to school.  I would not have minded at all if my child invited yours to a birthday party and you did not invite her in return.  I would have deeply resented if because of the precedent you set I had to meet the expectation of giving a gift bag at the party AND gift bags for the class.

Just do the treat.  Kids will be thrilled that they got a cupcake/donut/cookie.  Nobody will even question that they didn't get a goodie bag (cool or otherwise) [b]because nobody's done it before.[/b][/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics