Classroom mom....

[lilles]

we got an email from DD1 classroom mom asking for money to buy the teachers gift cards. Fine, no problem. The email was super long and she gave the parents six options which I'll summarize:
1. Not give her any money but then you MUST do your own gift and tell her in advance.
2.give her cash
3. give her a check
4. mail her a check-address provided
5. pay through Paypal
6. Some other option but to please let her know how much money it is going to be

Each item was a paragraph we detailed instructions.

I know being a classroom mom has to be hard and she must like to be extra thorough. I do take issue with number one.

[mrssandro]

Honestly I would side eye the whole thing.

[namasteak]

#1 is what I have the biggest problem with.

[ECB]

#1 is just...rude and tacky.

The rest of it is weird but I guess she's being thorough??

[bcarp30]

I'm a classroom mom and the thought of sending that email makes my head spin. No way would I have time to detail that and track it all.

[origami]

Hope those checks don't bounce.

#1 is obnoxious.

[Deleted]

That's obnoxious.

I mean I sort of get because there's always that one confused person who has apparently never shared money in their life but those are the types you deal with on a case by case personal basis not in a multi paragraph email.

And the first is obnoxious to the extreme. She may be room mom, but she's not the Gift Police.

Our classroom email was:

"We will buying a gift card for the PreK teacher. Please leave money in the office marked with Xs name as she is taking care of the card and delivery. Any amount you can give is great. As always feel free to join or do your own gift!"

The end. LOL.

[VillainV]

Re: option 1....you MUST get your own gift and let her know what you're getting? Um, no. I imagine there might be people who don't have money budgeted for teacher gifts...

[imojoebunny]

I opted out of the class gift at one school this year, and went rouge, because they were buying a bunch of shit (actual things, that the teacher is unlikely to need) for the teacher's birthday, and I am a fan of cold hard cash or a grocery gift card, but that number one in the post is fascinating. Being a classroom mom is not hard. I have done it for the last 5 years, and finally, am not one this year, though I wish I was because the ones this year are unaware of sign up genius and likes mass email.

It also bugs me when the room mom signs the card only from those who gave. Like the kid whose mom passed away in DD's class needs to be singled out because his father didn't give, but it has been suggested by several parents. So very unnecessary.

[cjeanette]

No. Just no.

Its a huge pain to deal with collecting for class gifts. I have done it many years.

I would never tell someone they had to contribute or get their own gift. Eff that.

I usually say I am collecting. Tell people they can send a check through backpack mail or mail it to me. Give a deadline. Remind them a few times. Get all the checks at the last minute or after deadline.

[DarcyLongfellow]

That's obnoxious as hell.

I've been class mom a few times. I always made a huge point to say that contributing to the class gift is completely OPTIONAL. I know some people prefer to do their own thing. And some people don't give a gift. Either way is 100% fine. No one is obligated to give the teacher a gift!!

Also, who wants to deal with all of that mess of keeping track of who paid you with what method? I always said cash or check. This year our class mom said cash only, which sounds even easier.