So this is a controversial subject. It fascinates me how much chat this generates at the school gates or on the class whatsapp group. With 3 kids aged between 3 to 17 I have been round the block on this a few times and seen lots of different ways of managing it.
Before we even get into what to buy for the teachers who teach your kids, have a look at this article by Metro back in June. Does your teacher expect a gift? Is a hand written card or letter enough? And if you do buy them something, is a class gift ok or a personally chosen one? And as this article states, it isn’t about how much it costs.
You have to factor in the different income levels of your class too, and different views on how people would like to give at the end of term. There is nothing worse than feeling rail-roaded to join the masses when you fundamentally aren’t aligned to the plan. Then being the Mum who speaks out and says no to the class collection, potentially puts you in the ‘shes a problem mother’ category.
As a busy working Mum, I couldn’t care less whether we contribute or not. I would rather do my own thing and make something personal from my child because I can see how this would mean more to a teacher.
Do I have time to organize this as a full time working mother? No.
Do I agree with the value we are all expected to contribute in the class whatsapp group? No not really.
Will I do it? Yes.
This opens an entire can of worms on so many subjects as a busy WoMo. I admire and support with huge gratitude the parents who galvanise the others into making this stuff happen. It takes patience and organization. I am openly apologizing here, I will be the one you chase, the one who forgets and the one who rarely organizes anything. Sorry, and thank you. Without you I would be lost.