School Has Started

With school starting all over the country, now is a good time to start organizing our thoughts and schedules.

You know, PTA meetings, parent teacher conferences, after school activities etc. Now is also the time to start thinking about your child's teacher's gifts for the upcoming holidays. I know, it's hard to think that the holidays will be here before we know it.

Some of that thinking ahead comes from our business and I have to admit, every time I start thinking that far in advance (two holiday season's), I can not help but think about my dear friend Marcia. You can read her blog here and you will understand what I am saying, if not, I will tell you why later.

Another friend of mine who is a "skipped generational" parent as I am found a web site that had all kinds of ideas for teacher gifts. As luck would have it, my friend attempted a comment to this site and actually saved it. I have replaced my friends name with "Anonymous"

The reason for sharing this is because it truly is good food for thought and I can see both sides of this fence, my friend was hurt and because I know her, I know why she was.

Let me know what you think.

Mom to Mom
Great Gifts for Teachers
http://parentzone.babyzone.com/momtomom/stories.asp?mcid=72&pg=2
"I am an elementary school teacher, and I have been teaching for 10 years.

The best gifts a parent can give a teacher are:1. Respect. We are highly trained individuals, not glorified baby sitters. Many of us have master's degrees and doctorate degrees. We each spend many hours outside of our work day involved with professional growth classes and other continuing education. Please don't second guess our every decision. We really do know what we're doing.
2. Be a supportive, involved parent. Spend quality time with your children. Read to them. Listen to them read. Turn off the TV, unplug the Game Cube, and send them outside to play. Teach them right from wrong and how to take responsibility for their actions. Help them when they struggle. Get them the help they need, whether that is medical, emotional, or academic help.

These are the things we would most like to have our parents give to us. However, those things aside, I know that kids and parents like to give tangible gifts to their teachers for special occassions and holidays. Here are some tips on what to avoid:
1. Not all teachers drink coffee. Most of us have boxes and boxes of "cute" mugs we will never use.
2. Candy might be a fantastic thought for those rail-thin teachers who burn off calories just looking at a piece of chocolate. Most of us would rather not have the temptation. It's hard enough to find time to go to the gym.
3. Please, no more lotions, soaps, and candles. While teachers do like to pamper themselves, most of us have a huge surplus of these items because the bath and body type stores push them as "great teacher gifts." My husband has put a moratorium on lotion and candle buying - I have too much of the stuff as it is. I will be well moisturized and freshly scented well into my next life.
4. "Apple" themed gifts should be outlawed! Oh sure, there are a few teachers (and I do mean "few") who enjoy the stereotypical apple/teacher ornament, but the majority of us would rather pass. Our homes are not decked out in apple motifs, and neither are our classrooms. This is one cliche that has outlived whatever usefulness it once had.
If you truly do want to show your teacher, in a tangible way, how much you appreciate him/her, find out what he/she really does enjoy. Maybe she's not a coffee drinker, but loves Diet Pepsi - buy her a 12 pack! Is he a workout fanatic - get him a free month at his gym. Find out what your teacher collects and add to their collection.
Some fail-safe ways to thank your child's teacher:
1. Everyone has to eat--get her a giftcard to a restaurant.
2. Teachers love books, and often spend their own money on books for their classrooms. Pick up a giftcard to a bookstore so the teacher can buy some books for herself for a change.
3. Most female teachers would love the gift of a manicure or pedicure. We like to look nice, too!4. We like to relax--get us movie tickets!
5. So you say you really love this teacher and want to get her something fabulous--a massage at a local spa would doubtfully be turned away!
My point is this: if what you're really trying to do is show your child's teacher how much you appreciate their hard work and dedication, take the time to actually make a thoughtful purchase. Teachers do not expect gifts. We'd rather have you be your child's best parent possible than to receive another Snoopy mug filled with candy. So, if you are inclined to buy a gift, keep these tips in mind, and your child's teacher will really feel special and appreciated."

Kimberly Massie

Here is my friends response that was never posted or I should say, the comment was not allowed by the moderator of the blog:

"Your comment about Candles and Bath Gifts from students I find to be amazing and actually thoughtless to the children who love their teachers.
More so, I find it very offensive. Parents spend quite a bit of money supplying school supplies for not only their children but for others as well.
Many parents see to it that every fund raiser the school has, they're children not only participate, but excel at sales also.
Yes, teachers have degrees, and many today have Master's Degrees. Parents also have these degrees.
Although your long list of what you would call an appropriate gift for a teacher is grand, I think you need to remember that many children today come from single parent homes, skipped generational homes, foster homes, and the list goes on. Most of these parents share in the joy their children have making their own choice as to what gift to give the teacher. The reason why is because it comes from the heart of that child.
Most importantly, most of these parents I am sure would love to be able to have that extra $25-$150.00 to put food on the table or clothes on children’s backs.
For any teacher to complain about a gift that comes from the heart of a child because it was not, what? good enough? Maybe you need to re-evaluate why you became a teacher to begin with.
I have been raising children for over 30 years and I must say, between my children and grandchildren alone, you are the first to have such an ungrateful attitude about what a child gives a teacher.
There are many teachers I have come to know in the past 25 plus years, not one of them ever complained. As a matter of fact, I know many teachers that love and keep all of the "treasures", regardless if it is something they would not use.
Most importantly, I would love to see the look on a child’s face when their parent says, "Johnny, I do not think you should buy that candle for your teacher, she wants a trip to the day spa instead and we simply can not afford it".
I would not want to be the parent with a child going to school on a special day without a gift for a teacher when that child only wanted to give from the heart.
This article provoked so much thought, I am going to distribute it to all of the family's that we know.
At the next PTA meeting, I will most certainly rally to find out how many teacher's within our community schools feel the same way you do and will also advocate for those students that want to purchase teacher's gifts, to place what ever penny's they have saved up to do so, in a bank account.
Then maybe, if children stopped giving to the teacher, and started putting that money away they will have a nice start on a college fund.
There is this new concept today, it is called re-gifting. There are many people in homeless shelter's, Battered Women's Shelter's. If you truly do not appreciate what children give to you from the bottom of their heart, why don't you take the gifts that are collecting dust in your home and give them to these shelter's. They would most definitely appreciate the thought, and kindness that someone else gave to you.
Most importantly, they would not care you did not like it, because they would be to grateful to have it.
Or, possibly you could have a garage sale and collect enough money to buy that trip to the Day Spa, or lunch wherever you would like, or that movie ticket.
Be grateful that you have a job; many children's parents do not. Be grateful that "Johnny" thought enough of you to want to buy you a present. Chances are, you came before his parents.
Regards,"
"Anonymous"

Looking forward to hearing your comments

Touching lives one minute, one day, one flame at a time.....