Cheap parents

[Emma H]

Like you stated people have their own opinions and in my opinion I feel like she was attacked by a few people....just because you don't think that doesn't mean I am wrong...no one said you had to agree with everything, did I say that? I don't think so....."How Dare You ......I didn't mean literally....If I don't like something I will speak my mind we don't all need to ignore everything

[5 Little Monkeys]

I do have to admit, gifts are nice. However, a gift not at a holiday means more to me than a Christmas gift. But those who don't give gifts don't mean it as an insult I don't think?

One of my past single moms gave a small angel ornament one year that looked like it might have been regifted or from the dollar store and because I knew money was tight, I appreciated it very much even though it was something I didn't like. When they left my care, the grandma (who was very involved) and mom wrote 2 beautiful messages in a card and gave a $50 gift card (by leaving, mom saved $560 a month!!) I still read that card monthly!!

I get that gifts are nice but like mentioned above, I try not too expect one.

[bright sparks]

Christmas is a time for giving ...If I had a child I don't need some advertisements to show me that I should buy my child's teacher or daycare provider a gift. Its something people do to show that person they appreciate them for the hard work they do. It doesn't have to be an item it can be a card which you stated yourself even though you didn't think to buy your childs teacher a gift you would still get a card...A card is a gift...a candy cane is a gift....it doesn't have to be anything be just a little something to say thank you

But for those who have not grown up accustomed to that, then they would not automatically think to do it. I think you'll also find that a lot of people are not card people so they would not consider it as a gift. It is open to interpretation. I think of a gift as in "A card and a gift, two different things" that is an example of how different people view things differently. I also think that sending a card because it is the done thing is false too. I appreciate honesty and sincerity and if that is in the form of a thank you and have a great Xmas at the door which everyone seems to do, then that is good enough for me.

Some people don't celebrate Xmas, Christmas to religious folk may not buy into the whole commercial factor and those who do and have large families or limited cash flow for any reason may have set some boundaries which work for them and their current circumstances which include drawing a line somewhere.

Also as far as teachers go, my daughter has 7! She has rotary as do most kids so how do I justify who deserves a gift more than another? I have to set boundaries so I gift to the homeroom teacher in addition to any other teacher who has gone above and beyond in their position. Do I gift to a teacher who has been nothing but a burden and a massive obstacle to my child's learning that year? I have had one teacher who has really screwed my kids needs up, cost me a bunch of money in lost wages to keep having to attend meetings because they aren't doing their job adequately and I have had to pay thousands of dollars for a private assessment for one of my kids because the school system and the principal including homeroom teacher have failed to meet my child's needs. Should I still buy them a gift because it's the "right" thing to do. Everyone has different reasons for how they live. It doesn't make them bad people. Some are setting healthy boundaries and yes some just have poor judgement. Regardless, if those teachers expect a gift, that is a reflection of them not the families of the children in their class.

[bright sparks]

Like you stated people have their own opinions and in my opinion I feel like she was attacked by a few people....just because you don't think that doesn't mean I am wrong...no one said you had to agree with everything, did I say that? I don't think so....."How Dare You ......I didn't mean literally....If I don't like something I will speak my mind we don't all need to ignore everything

We also don't need to accuse every difference of opinion as an attack and tell people to I quote, "calm down"

[Emma H]

If you don't like my post why don't you just ignore it ?

[bright sparks]

If you don't like my post why don't you just ignore it ?

I can have a difference of opinion without getting all defensive so I don't need to ignore it. We can agree to disagree that's just fine....many of us do but we can still all contribute and get something out of it.

[MsBell]

I do have to admit, gifts are nice. However, a gift not at a holiday means more to me than a Christmas gift. But those who don't give gifts don't mean it as an insult I don't think?

One of my past single moms gave a small angel ornament one year that looked like it might have been regifted or from the dollar store and because I knew money was tight, I appreciated it very much even though it was something I didn't like. When they left my care, the grandma (who was very involved) and mom wrote 2 beautiful messages in a card and gave a $50 gift card (by leaving, mom saved $560 a month!!) I still read that card monthly!!

I get that gifts are nice but like mentioned above, I try not too expect one.

Yes! a Surprise coffee in the morning, or fresh flowers picked in spring, early pick up.....LOVE those gifts!

[Emma H]

Well then don't tell me that I should ignore everything. There are a few users on this site that are extremely rude (I don't think you are rude in anyway). I wasn't getting defensive I just felt like some people weren't as nice. My point was teachers and daycare providers as amazing people and it doesn't have to be Christmas to show them you appreciate.

[5 Little Monkeys]

Yes! a Surprise coffee in the morning, or fresh flowers picked in spring, early pick up.....LOVE those gifts!

Yes, love all those...especially when the late child has early pick up lol.(that happened yesterday amazing how even being done just 15 mins is so lovely!) I've also had a mom remember my birthday (it's on the bday wall....which I actually took down because I didn't want parents to think I wanted a gift lol) and bring a gift and another couple moms knew what and when ECE week is and brought in treats/gifts. Another mom brought flowers for no reason (she was one of my handful moms so that really threw me off!! Haha)

Sometimes I think we view gifts as validation and when we don't get one, we wonder why and feel resentful. I know that's how I am sometimes and I have to consciously remind myself that that's not always the case! Even just a random "thank you for all you do" is appreciated and sometimes means a lot more than a gift card that was just bought due to societies "norm".

[bright sparks]

Yes, love all those...especially when the late child has early pick up lol.(that happened yesterday amazing how even being done just 15 mins is so lovely!) I've also had a mom remember my birthday (it's on the bday wall....which I actually took down because I didn't want parents to think I wanted a gift lol) and bring a gift and another couple moms knew what and when ECE week is and brought in treats/gifts. Another mom brought flowers for no reason (she was one of my handful moms so that really threw me off!! Haha)

Sometimes I think we view gifts as validation and when we don't get one, we wonder why and feel resentful. I know that's how I am sometimes and I have to consciously remind myself that that's not always the case! Even just a random "thank you for all you do" is appreciated and sometimes means a lot more than a gift card that was just bought due to societies "norm".

I have a parent who brings me starbucks, regularly. I feel so guilty because it is so pricey lol Her sister works there I have now discovered and she gets it for free. I am just grateful that she shares this wonderful perk with me as I love starbucks but would literally have to downsize to be able to feed that habit so I try to avoid it. Yesterday they were 10 minutes late picking up due to the rush hour snow storm which was horrific in Niagara Region, as were every other parent. The dad called me as soon as he left work and text me at 30 minute intervals to update me on his progress. Honestly that is all I could have asked for, that level of courtesy and consideration really made me happy that I had this family as one of my clients. This morning mum apologized tenfold and gave me a bag of starbucks ground coffee!!! Alrighty then

I also have another daycare parent who brings me food...whenever she tries new and healthy meals she brings me a serving In the spring and summer her kids pick my flowers and give them to me and say all sorts of heart warming cute things.