2 problems arose from this gesture.
1. We clearly state at the beginning of the year that cupcakes, cake, and ice cream are not allowed for birthday snacks. Too messy, not healthy, filled with sugar etc.
2. This parent brought 24 cupcakes without asking my teaching how many kids are in the class. She has 25 kiddos.
As much as they always have the best interest of their child at heart, sometimes parents drive me totally bananas. Thankfully this wasn't in my room because inside I would have wanted to tell the parent to take the cupcakes home because there weren't enough and they weren't allowed in the first place, but I often have a hard time being that "harsh" with parents who have no concern for following the rules that are established. Even though it would be completely justified, it's hard to call a parent out when they don't do something according to "plan."
I had a similar situation last year where a parent sent in 19 frosted cookies (because she used a class number from the beginning of the year) and by the time it was her child's birthday I had 3 or 4 more kids in the group. That day I was ready to cancel birthdays altogether, but I got over my grinch moment and decided to continue allowing kids to bring birthday snacks this year as long as they are healthy-ish and I specified that cupcakes, cake, and ice cream are not allowed.
Fortunately, most of the time although situations like that can be frustrating and test our patience and tolerance for inattentive grown-ups, we can laugh it off and realize it's not a big deal in the grand scheme of everything.
What would you have said to the parent toting 24 cupcakes for 25 kiddos? Send them back or divide and conquer?
2 Raised Hands:
Oh man this is tough. I think a LOT of my friends from work would've sent them home- some of them are just very strict when it comes to this stuff, and I'm amazed by how they can just tell parents too bad when they know how much time the parent may have put into those cupcakes. On the other hand, if you let one parent do this than the kids will think it's okay and tell their parents to bring cupcakes haha. At my school I would HAVE to say no since we have a strict no food policy and I would get in serious trouble if I let the kids eat the cupcakes. As for the 24 for 25 kids I would first ask if someone does not like cupcakes, usually I have one really picky eater who doesn't like that kind of stuff, that would help that issue haha.
As for what you said about looking back and laughing, I think that is important in these situations. My first year teaching I had a kid bring chocolate lollipops for his birthday. He was SO excited about giving them out I just couldn't say no (also I was a pushover back then). I decided to let the kids put them (wrapped) directly into their backpacks. I lectured them for 10 minutes about asking/showing their parents before they ate them, making sure they are not allergic etc. I was expecting parents to call and yell at me but no one did (parents are usually less caring about these things than my principal haha). Then, 2 years later this little boy ended up being the one who passed away. One of my thoughts during those horrible days that followed was that I was so glad I didn't tell him he couldn't give out the chocolate lollipops... that I let his birthday excitement continue since he only got 8 of them :( I always remember this story now when silly things like this come up.
My school culture is one that discouraged these kinds of parties. I've been in schools where it's a party every Friday. Somewhere in the building there's a party going on any giving Friday. If a parent rolled up on me with 2 dozen cupcakes I'd quickly turn her/him away. Now I'd put all the blame on my Principal, but I'd do it in a heartbeat.
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