I've just returned from M & S Simply Food, whilst waiting at the checkout I noticed thank you cards for teachers.. This started a conversation between a mother and a grandmother and myself. Apparently it isn't just a card giving occasion, not even a box of chocs or a bunch of flowers will do. Actual presents like books,accessories such as scarves,shop gift tokens, glassware etc . The G'mother went on to say her G'children go to a local private school and the donations to teachers have got completely out of hand. Amongst the really expensive gifts given are: a laptop,a two week holiday in the parents' home in France,a spa weekend for the teacher and a friend. The young Mother said she would love to opt out of this altogether, however the children are aware of what each child is giving to the teacher and she doesn't want her child to feel left out. Explaining to the child that this is wrong doesn't help as children don't like to be different do they? I suggested a word with the PTA and the Head to see if this habit could be stopped, hopefully other parents would back her up. I had a friend who had 5 children in the same school, could you imagine the expense she would have had .
