Earlier this week, dear daughter and I brought some treats to school to share with the teachers and staff. DD and I cut out circles of fabric that I had on hand to use as goodie bags (my attempt at reducing waste and cost) and filled each of 18 bags with chocolates, mint pillows and butter crunch peanuts. The bags were small-just the right size for one person. I could have gotten a larger or more involved or expensive gift for her primary teacher, however DD has many other teachers as well, and I wanted to thank them all for what they do. So .... each person, primary teacher included, got a small home made bag of goodies.
So this morning, the last day of school before winter break, I take DD to school. Not surprisingly, many, most, of the other kids in the class brought gifts in for the primary teacher. Some brought gifts for some of the other teachers as well. I started to worry. Did I do enough? Should I have gotten something for the primary teacher in addition to the treats? Shoot. I started to plan out my morning around getting her something else. But sighs. I really didn't want to stand on a long line with a 2-year-old........blah. In the parking lot, I saw a friend, the mother of one of DD's classmates, walking to her car. I motioned her over, and brought the whole thing up with her. We both quickly agreed that the whole thing, the gift giving, is too much and dominates what should be the focus of today, as any day, which is learning. What are we/they teaching the kids by all of this? As we left the classroom, the teacher was sitting on the floor surrounded by the kids, opening gifts. It just didn't seem right. Yes, of course, it's important, and it's tradition, to give the teacher a small gift. But should they be opened in school? Then, whether it's meant to or not, it becomes a contest. And thus adds to the stress that is the holiday season. After talking with my friend, I felt much better. We, DD and I, had done enough. I had gotten caught up in the moment, allowed myself to become part of the contest. Shoot! And whether or not I like it, I have been worried about whether or not I've gotten enough *stuff* for people for Christmas. AGH. I have. I HAVE! So why do I continue to worry?
Ohhhm. =)
The Kit
4 months ago
Aww sweetie, it was a wonderful gesture for you to have put the love and care into the gifts you gave. I have struggled with that in the past too, and usually in light of what I see other people doing, or when I receive a "better" gift reciprocated, I start to feel like, "Hmm, did I do enough?" However, if what you did was what you felt was on your heart to give/do, then that's wonderful! Most people don't feel sleighted by what we think is a lesser gift, anyway--and if they did, oh well, then it's their opportunity to learn to be thankful, right? That's how I TRY to think when those feelings creep up.
ReplyDeleteAll that to say, you did a very thoughtful thing, and I'm sure the teacher will enjoy all the gifts equally.
=) Thanks, K.
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