It Must Be Time For "Worst Gift Ever Received By A DCfamily" Thread!

[MamaBearCanada]

I got a vacuum cleaner one year from my DH ::

If it was an IRobot I would consider that a good gift! ::

i would love an IRobot! I actually asked for an electric scrubbing mop this year.....::

[Leigh]

If I am going to be judged by provders about the gift I give, I wont bother getting anything at all.
I always figured it was the thought that counts.
This thread makes providers seem very materialistic.
I follow my daycare ladys rules and policies and am respectful of her and home. I always pay on time too. She always says that is more than enough and shows my appreciation of all she does.

Really? In my opinion, a $1, tacky gift shows exactly the thought that went into it. It says "I HAVE to get you something, but I don't WANT to, because I don't think you are worth it". It really DOES hurt to have someone give you a gift like that. It doesn't bother me a bit to get NO gift, but getting a gift that says "this is an obligation, not a heartfelt *I appreciate you*" just plain ****s.

My own provider, when I used one, received a week's pay (and I couldn't afford it, but knew she DESERVED it-I consider that just to be a part of hiring her to give her a bonus, the same way I do for my hair stylist).

[SilverSabre25]

If I am going to be judged by provders about the gift I give, I wont bother getting anything at all.
I always figured it was the thought that counts.
This thread makes providers seem very materialistic.
I follow my daycare ladys rules and policies and am respectful of her and home. I always pay on time too. She always says that is more than enough and shows my appreciation of all she does.

have you ever complained about a gift or bonus given by your boss? A co-worker? Maybe something you received in one of those silly office secret santa things? have you ever even been quietly miffed about the thoughtlessness of a gift given by a friend or relative? Have you ever stared at an ugly knick-knack you have to keep for appearance's sake, and wished you had the cash instead? If you answer no....let's face it...you're probably lying to either us or yourself.

YES. We do this for the money. YES. we would like appreciation. YES....if you don't know what to give your provider....try a visa gift card, or starbucks gift card....or cash. Or pick up early with her favorite chocolate bar in hand. or show up with a smile and a small box of new art supplies, or a cost-co sized case of tissues or band aids or paper towels or toilet paper. surprise us with lunch one day during naptime. Give us a card with a handwritten note about how much you appreciate the work we do to care for and educate and yes, help raise, your precious child. Bring her flowers. Donate a new toy to the daycare.

I guarantee you that even if you just show up with something small, but thoughtful, you will be elevated to the position of Most Awesome Daycare Parent, especially if you are truthful about following rules, etc.

[Kimskiddos]

I did get an IRobot for Christmas one year from dh, it was about 3 years after I had asked for it, so by that time I was over it. What I wanted was Nook tablet (which I got last year). The IRobot is okay but after a while the sensors kept saying it was dirty and would shut off. Drove the dog and cat slightly nuts too.

[Blackcat31]

I knew an unregistered poster was going to chime in with something like this.

Have you ever gotten a terrible gift for anyone ever? Did the thought count to you? Of course it did. No one said the thought didn't count, the thread is just making light of some bad gifts.

Would you like an example of a bad gift I have gotten from my Dh? He gave me Mickey Mouse fleece pjs last year. Because I don't like them I must be such a selfish and materialistic wife, right?

Please. I'm not in the mood for nonsense today.

I feel the same way though.... (as unregistered)

I think that threads like these belong in the "Off-topic" or members only section if they are going to be posted at all.

I cringe when I read threads that have the possibility of dissing parents...kwim? Parents are my bread and butter. How they view child care providers weighs heavily on whether I remain successful or not in this business.

There are so many things during this time of the year to be grateful for that I kind of think it is petty to be 'complaining' about someone who had the decency to even think of you during the holidays in the first place....kwim?

It's simply the way I personally, feel about gifts, giving and the thought process behind it all.

Either people complain about not getting anything at all or they complain about what they get.

Maybe providers should post gift lists so their parents know exactly what to get them. or not to get them... Seems that would solve the whole dilemma.

Flame away if you want, I have a thick skin.

[MrsSteinel'sHouse]

One of my parents brought me Tim Horton's the other day... so thoughtful. It is the little things that I appreciate. For Christmas- Sometimes the card means more than the weeks pay. I have truly awesome parents. Last year one of my little guys brought me a pair of socks! Blue, fuzzy socks! I made sure I wore them often (took off my socks right there and then and put them on) I love them because he at 2 yrs old picked them out!
I do not expect a Christmas gift from my parents and I do not go overboard for their kids. The kids make their parents an ornament (It is now tradition here) and I give the kids a token "something" generally a book.
It is the day in day out relationship that I have with my parents that I appreciate the most. I love their kids and I love their families. I have a really good balance right now and for that I am very grateful.

[melilley]

I have to say that I have never really received a bad gift from a family, but one year I did get a gift card for Christmas, I believe, and on it, it said Happy Birthday...:: I think the dad purchased it and didn't realize...

I did get a Starbucks card from a parent for teacher appreciation week. Not many parents know of this week, but my dcp worked at a center so knew. I also have received yummy specialty bread, candles, a Willow Tree figurine (one of my favs), fuzzy socks, etc...
I really appreciate the thought and it is nice to receive gifts, but I do feel kind of funny/embarrassed when parents give me gifts. I'm more of a giver.

Now, as for my dh, one year I asked for a fluffy, girly, pink, maybe polka dotted bathrobe. He did get me one, but it was a red not so fluffy one. I laugh to myself when I wear it, but he's not one to know what to buy clothing wise anyways...

[Leigh]

I feel the same way though.... (as unregistered)

I think that threads like these belong in the "Off-topic" or members only section if they are going to be posted at all.

I cringe when I read threads that have the possibility of dissing parents...kwim? Parents are my bread and butter. How they view child care providers weighs heavily on whether I remain successful or not in this business.

There are so many things during this time of the year to be grateful for that I kind of think it is petty to be 'complaining' about someone who had the decency to even think of you during the holidays in the first place....kwim?

It's simply the way I personally, feel about gifts, giving and the thought process behind it all.

Either people complain about not getting anything at all or they complain about what they get.

Maybe providers should post gift lists so their parents know exactly what to get them. or not to get them... Seems that would solve the whole dilemma.

Flame away if you want, I have a thick skin.

I agree with you for the most part. I don't expect a gift, and actually find it kind of awkward to receive one. I DO, however, think that giving a gift that isn't the least bit considerate or heartfelt is insulting. It's not about the amount spent, or even if I like it, but I can't help but feel insulted (and rightly so) when a gift is a random piece of junk. I'd rather have a child draw me a picture for Christmas or receive a card from a child than have a parent throw something at me that says "here's your dang gift, NOT that I wanted to give you anything". I am grateful to be able to say that there is nothing that I NEED. There is very little "stuff" that I even WANT. A sincere THANK YOU is much more appreciated than a cheap trinket that a parent bought out of obligation.

[CedarCreek]

I feel the same way though.... (as unregistered)

I think that threads like these belong in the "Off-topic" or members only section if they are going to be posted at all.

I cringe when I read threads that have the possibility of dissing parents...kwim? Parents are my bread and butter. How they view child care providers weighs heavily on whether I remain successful or not in this business.

There are so many things during this time of the year to be grateful for that I kind of think it is petty to be 'complaining' about someone who had the decency to even think of you during the holidays in the first place....kwim?

It's simply the way I personally, feel about gifts, giving and the thought process behind it all.

Either people complain about not getting anything at all or they complain about what they get.

Maybe providers should post gift lists so their parents know exactly what to get them. or not to get them... Seems that would solve the whole dilemma.

Flame away if you want, I have a thick skin.

I will agree that thread a like this is often better off in the off topic section or the members only section.

The rest, I'm not going to flame you. We view this differently.

But, you know as well as I do that unregistered posters often post things that are rude and uncalled for. You can post your view point without being rude or painting all providers with the same brush.

[CedarCreek]

I agree with you for the most part. I don't expect a gift, and actually find it kind of awkward to receive one. I DO, however, think that giving a gift that isn't the least bit considerate or heartfelt is insulting. It's not about the amount spent, or even if I like it, but I can't help but feel insulted (and rightly so) when a gift is a random piece of junk. I'd rather have a child draw me a picture for Christmas or receive a card from a child than have a parent throw something at me that says "here's your dang gift, NOT that I wanted to give you anything". I am grateful to be able to say that there is nothing that I NEED. There is very little "stuff" that I even WANT. A sincere THANK YOU is much more appreciated than a cheap trinket that a parent bought out of obligation.

[SilverSabre25]

BC i do agree with you that this is better in a more private section

[Blackcat31]

I DO, however, think that giving a gift that isn't the least bit considerate or heartfelt is insulting. It's not about the amount spent, or even if I like it, but I can't help but feel insulted (and rightly so) when a gift is a random piece of junk.

But sometimes I feel that we get those awkward and less than considerate gifts because there is a feeling of obligation. kwim?

When parents feel pressured to HAVE to gift someone, that is when the less than considerate gifts come into play.

Atleast that is my thought process in this.

[Blackcat31]

BC i do agree with you that this is better in a more private section

I agree. I also feel that venting is necessary. Even about parents and specific situations.

We are human.

My distaste comes from a whole thread that seems aimed at bashing bad gift givers.

I didn't move it, because I try really hard not to impose my personal feelings onto the entire board. I simply try to remain neutral and post my opinion as MY PERSONAL opinion.

[Shell]

When I used to work at a center in a very rich town, the teachers were paid crap, but the parents were very generous! Every single child gave both teachers in the room gift cards or cash ranging from $25-$50!!! Then, as a nanny, I would receive a weeks pay plus some kind of amazing pocket book, or some other surprise gift that was extremely thoughtful.
When I moved to a different town, and started home daycare, it was a real reality check! I usually get something small from every parent-which I really appreciate, but the best gifts of all are gift certificates or cash. I don't mean to insult parents, either, but maybe if just one reads this thread, and is looking to get their provider a great gift, they will consider a gift card or cash-that we will likely use to buy some crafts or toys that their child will play with, too, or maybe reward ourselves with something we couldn't afford on our own.

[Leigh]

But sometimes I feel that we get those awkward and less than considerate gifts because there is a feeling of obligation. kwim?

When parents feel pressured to HAVE to gift someone, that is when the less than considerate gifts come into play.

Atleast that is my thought process in this.

You're right there, and honestly, those "junk" presents are still worth it when the child has the joy of giving it to you and seeing you exclaim over it.