Does Anyone NOT Do Mother's/Father's Day Gifts?

[bunnyslippers]

I typically do them, but I am not feeling it this year. I just don't feel like putting out the time, effort and extra (although minoe) expense, when they are very rarely acknowledged.

I am feeling guilty, so probably will throw something together.

Thoughts?

[canadiancare]

I always do something but I have appreciative parents and the kids love it. I wouldn't hesitate to scrap it if I felt obligated.

[Play Care]

Yes, I always do something. I learned long ago that I am not doing this for the parents, but for the kids. They like to make something for their parent. We already do crafts anyway so it's not like I am doing extra.
On a side note, when I decide not to do what I normally do, I know I feel bad. Every year at Christmas I have a small open house for families. We do several crafts to display, sing songs, have a small snack and then I send them off. This past year with everything that happened (Newtown, the death of a friend, etc.) I wasn't feeling it. So I did bare bones and it was obvious. It actually made me feel worse

Now, I wouldn't spend lots of money on the gifts, and I make sure the kids are the ones making them. I'm not about to be up until all hours finishing a child's mother's day gift...

[Luna]

Yes, I always do something. I learned long ago that I am not doing this for the parents, but for the kids.

This is what I was going to say. The kids love to create and give. I'm not really concerned whether or not the parents let me know how much they appreciate it. I do believe they thank their kids at the time of opening though!

[lolaland]

I typically do them, but I am not feeling it this year. I just don't feel like putting out the time, effort and extra (although minoe) expense, when they are very rarely acknowledged.

I am feeling guilty, so probably will throw something together.

Thoughts?

Hi bunnyslippers

I know exactly how you feel... I'm so glad I'm for the first time going to enjoy Mother's Day this year without having all the work this day represents for daycare providers. But I think you should still do something very little for the kids to give to their mothers... specially if you did it the previous years.

Last year I did with the kids this card that was so easy, inexpensive and adorable. I just let the kids paint a cardstock paper, let it dry, cut the purse shape and gave stickers for the kids to decorate the handle. Here's the link to better instructions.

http://spoonful.com/crafts/purse-onal-greetings

Happy mother's day Bunnyslippers :hug:

[Blackcat31]

I don't do ANY crafts/gifts etc for family related holidays such as Mother's, Father's Day or family member's birthdays.

If it can't be 100% inclusive then I don't do it at all.

I actually tend to stay away from "holiday" crafts all together.

My DCK's definitely get arts/craft time but not in connection with holidays unless THEY choose to do it.

I have done them in the past....so it isn't like I am anti-holiday or anything but it depends each year on my specific group of kids and what best meets their needs.

[canadiancare]

I should add that I only have 5 kids and they all have both parents. If it was a different situation I would skip rather than exclude. I also have children who celebrate the commercial "Christian" holidays so we do Christmas and Easter non-religious stuff. I have a great book from UNICEF with festivals for children so, while I have no multi-cultural kids we touch on a bunch of stuff for fun and learning.

[wahmof3]

I typically do them, but I am not feeling it this year. I just don't feel like putting out the time, effort and extra (although minoe) expense, when they are very rarely acknowledged.

I am feeling guilty, so probably will throw something together.

Thoughts?

I'm not feeling it this year either. I always do something, usually something that is a step up from the normal crafty projects.

I am really debating on whether or not to do something this year. Problem is- my DCP are expecting it because I have set the standard in the past.

I know what you mean by rarely acknowledged too. This however is not my issue this year. I just don't want to do it

I will probably throw something together, but nothing elaborate. I like the purse card. I was thinking something similar. Making a card and having the DCK put painted thumb prints all over it and making butterflies and bees out of it.

Ugh. I just don't feel it.

[bunnyslippers]

Hi bunnyslippers

I know exactly how you feel... I'm so glad I'm for the first time going to enjoy Mother's Day this year without having all the work this day represents for daycare providers. But I think you should still do something very little for the kids to give to their mothers... specially if you did it the previous years.

Last year I did with the kids this card that was so easy, inexpensive and adorable. I just let the kids paint a cardboard paper, let it dry, cut the purse shape and gave stickers for the kids to decorate the handle. Here's the link to better instructions.

http://spoonful.com/crafts/purse-onal-greetings

Happy mother's day Bunnyslippers :hug:

So cute, and pretty easy! Thanks for the link!

[bunnyslippers]

I just don't want to! I feel like a bratty kid, but I will do a little something. Probably the purse card. Father's Day...well, we'll see how the Mother's Day card is received....

Thanks guys!

[nanglgrl]

Sometimes I think I want to do something (especially when I see things like that cute purse card) but it ends up being a gift that's 90% made by me and 10% made by the child since mine are all in thier 2's.

[Crystal]

I don't.

Over the years there have been times when a child in care might have been excluded....if they don't have a mom/dad for whatever reason. If I cannot be 100% inclusive, I don't do it.....so I have found it is best (for Me) to not do ANY holidays with them.

No, I don't feel guilty about it

[rmc20021]

Hi bunnyslippers

I know exactly how you feel... I'm so glad I'm for the first time going to enjoy Mother's Day this year without having all the work this day represents for daycare providers. But I think you should still do something very little for the kids to give to their mothers... specially if you did it the previous years.

Last year I did with the kids this card that was so easy, inexpensive and adorable. I just let the kids paint a cardstock paper, let it dry, cut the purse shape and gave stickers for the kids to decorate the handle. Here's the link to better instructions.

http://spoonful.com/crafts/purse-onal-greetings

Happy mother's day Bunnyslippers :hug:

I'm stealing this idea...I don't have any card stock though, so I'm going to use foam board and use sticky backed velcro for the closure....Haven't decided how to decorate it though.

[LaLa1923]

Hi bunnyslippers

I know exactly how you feel... I'm so glad I'm for the first time going to enjoy Mother's Day this year without having all the work this day represents for daycare providers. But I think you should still do something very little for the kids to give to their mothers... specially if you did it the previous years.

Last year I did with the kids this card that was so easy, inexpensive and adorable. I just let the kids paint a cardstock paper, let it dry, cut the purse shape and gave stickers for the kids to decorate the handle. Here's the link to better instructions.

http://spoonful.com/crafts/purse-onal-greetings

Happy mother's day Bunnyslippers :hug:

That was super nice of you!!! happyface

[countrymom]

that was me last year. This year I did the handprint on the ceramic tiles. It all depends on my mood and the kids I have