You know what I really hate?
Well, lots of things. But today, I’m going to give in and actually tell you by posting a rare rant in my blog.
Bito’s public school and Cupcake’s private preschool are currently running the same fundraiser that all the other schools in the DC Metro area are no doubt running.
I hate that my children are little salespeople that are sent out to raise money for their schools.
And yes, it’s really me that is doing it because I’m not about to let Bito and Cupcake hawk the products of this company, even if their schools will receive 50% of all sales profits. I’m not about to put the burden of raising money for their schools on their little heads.
I get angry reading the info sheets that come home with thick envelope of the latest fundraiser. I’m afraid my kid will be the only one who doesn’t sell something and therefore, won’t receive a “prize.” I don’t want Bito and Cupcake not to get some cheap little toy that everyone else will get because they sold one, ten, a hundred or a zillion items. I don’t want my child to be sad because they don’t get to attend the Ice Cream Social because they didn’t bring in $xxx amount of orders.
And so I dutifully ask neighbors and family members if they’d be interested in supporting Bito and Cupcake. I send out emails with the online codes that can be used for out of area friends and family. I half-heartedly tout the awesomeness of the products in an effort to get some orders.
I don’t like it. I feel guilted into getting some orders so my kid won’t be sad he/she didn’t get some little toy or a scoop of ice cream.
And while I’m on a rant, let me just say that what really burns is that this fundraising has to be done in the first place, especially in public schools. This is my children’s education, for crying out loud! Supposedly it’s an investment for the future of the country, too, right? Why are the schools forced to to get money in such a fashion? There is something wrong here!
Sadly, this will be a part of my life for the next twenty-some years as my three children progress through school. The Husband and I are committed to public education and will do what we need to do. You’ll probably hear this rant every September from me.
And if you want to order anything…let me know.
I’m glad that my two sons have different fundraisers. I hate them too. I remember though lugging around a BIG box (suitcase like) around of Tom-Wat stuff too all of our neighbors. Man, I hated that big box. This was a 6th grade only thing, to fund camp. I’m just really glad that the boys are just books.
I told DH to take them to work. If he does, he does. If he doesn’t, oh well. I’ve shown it to aunts and grandmas. That’s all I will do – ever.
I hate it too. I’d rather pay more in tuition that deal with the fundraisers.
My daughter is at a new school this year for 1st grade and you’re not going to believe this, but they don’t fundraise with those catalogs, etc. They ask families for a donation and raise money through school community focused festivals. Isn’t that crazy? I am beyond thrilled I’m not forcing my family/neighbors/friends into buying cheap plastic crap or overpriced nuts!
I wonder if Denise goes to the same school my son goes to. We have a membership pledge. A set fee/family that covers everything so that there is no fundraisers. And the fee isn’t all that bad – $75.00. It’s about what each family would contribute if we did all the fundrasiers, but that is just the school’s profit of the fundraisers, so in reality, you (and your family) would be paying way more than $75 with all those stuff in the fundraisers.
I so hear you on this. They talk it up so much to the kids. At my school, every kid who sells ten items gets entered into a drawing to win a DS, so Sam wants so badly to sell ten items, even though there is little to no chance he will win. They’re just setting kids up for disappointment. It really upsets me. A lot. I’m fine with the PTA doing fundraising and even pressuring parents about it, but playing with the kids and their emerging consumerism is beyond lame.
Wait till your kids start joining extra-curricular clubs. They each seem to do their own fund-raising in addition to the ones the school runs. Heck, even school pictures are a fund-raiser for the school, so you’re pressured to buy the crappy pictures for exorbitant prices. Our school even does pics in the fall AND the spring to double the insult.
I opt out of the fundraisers at my kids school and at the beginning of the year let the teachers know that anything that is needed for the classroom, kid that can’t afford to attend a field trip, etc. just call me. Much easier than begging my friends to buy price jacked crap!
Love your last line! Got any yummy food items? We only do giftwrap at our school. Although, now that I think of it, there’s munchy stuff in that catalog, too.
Do you know what I hate more than anything? When the kids get out at intersections and basically panhandle for money. Not even the cover of a bake sale or a car wash. Begging on street corners. It kills me that their parents think that is an acceptable practice.