we pay school fees. We buy school clothes. We purchase s weirdly specific list of school supplies, never really understanding why or where the one store is that has the whole list. Then we start to think its finally over, and we settle in for the year.
OR NOT Class parties need snacks supplied.
Lunches an snacks must be healthy
Classes need extra craft supplies, pumpkins for carving, etc
Shoes when they outgrow theirs
School errands
Somehow something in that mountain of school supplies will run out
Valentines must be signed and sorted
and the one no one told me; apparently we send treats or treat bags for the kids to take home on Halloween.
Birthday cake/cupcakes/treats must be made/bought So where does it end? Do they ever use all these things we've tracked down and taken to school for learning? Not to say they don't learn, but where does everything go? if they will be going trick or treating after school and had a treat for a snack, why are we sending more? If we are planning am holding a birthday party why must we also send something to the school? I never got treats at work. I never made cupcakes for work on my birthday. are we setting out kids up to expect all these celebration and treats and gift bags that will soon stop and leave them wondering why?
I also wonder how this keeps us treating the less fortunate children the same as those from wealthy families. I can't afford what some families can yet I know I'm better off then so many people. It must make both parents and children feel sad and cause unnecessary stress worrying about how to pay for a birthday AND supply things for the class. Or how to buy enough candy to hand out AND send to school. Especially if they have more then one child. Maybe its time to re-evaluate what our school needs vs wants are, and how much added pressure we are putting on ourselves and others.
OR NOT Class parties need snacks supplied.
Lunches an snacks must be healthy
Classes need extra craft supplies, pumpkins for carving, etc
Shoes when they outgrow theirs
School errands
Somehow something in that mountain of school supplies will run out
Valentines must be signed and sorted
and the one no one told me; apparently we send treats or treat bags for the kids to take home on Halloween.
Birthday cake/cupcakes/treats must be made/bought So where does it end? Do they ever use all these things we've tracked down and taken to school for learning? Not to say they don't learn, but where does everything go? if they will be going trick or treating after school and had a treat for a snack, why are we sending more? If we are planning am holding a birthday party why must we also send something to the school? I never got treats at work. I never made cupcakes for work on my birthday. are we setting out kids up to expect all these celebration and treats and gift bags that will soon stop and leave them wondering why?
I also wonder how this keeps us treating the less fortunate children the same as those from wealthy families. I can't afford what some families can yet I know I'm better off then so many people. It must make both parents and children feel sad and cause unnecessary stress worrying about how to pay for a birthday AND supply things for the class. Or how to buy enough candy to hand out AND send to school. Especially if they have more then one child. Maybe its time to re-evaluate what our school needs vs wants are, and how much added pressure we are putting on ourselves and others.