Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

1 2

Original poster

Primary School kids taking Valentines Gifts in

41 replies

gamerwidow · 14/02/2019 10:18

Is it just me or is this a new level of madness? I’ve got someone on my FB feed who has made valentines gifts for their children aged 8 and 5 to take in for their ‘first love interest’. Am I being mean spirited or does this seem beset with problems to you?

OP posts:

x2boys · 14/02/2019 11:28

I can imagine the popular kids would get loads of gifts/cards and the not so popular kids would get nothing?

bookmum08 · 14/02/2019 11:36

I think it would be nice if primary schools did things like making Valentine cards and heart shaped biscuits etc. Show children that Valentine's Day isn't all about sex (which is what retailers seem to be going for).

PinkHeart5914 · 14/02/2019 11:39

Even when I was at school this happened, I don’t really see the problem with it tbh.

Yes some children will get more stuff than others but that’s life really isn’t it

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

8 year olds Events & celebrations General education

Aprilshowersarecomingsoon · 14/02/2019 11:42

Ds wrote one for his friend. They are 4.
Card shop had ones from The Cat.
Wrong on more levels than ds's!!

NorthEndGal · 14/02/2019 11:45

When we were in school, we'd make envelopes to put on the front of our desk, and all week, we'd make cards for each other, so by Valentine's, every child would have 20 or 25 cards

Stayawayfromitsmouth · 14/02/2019 11:46

It's as cringy as asking young children if they have a boyfriend or girlfriend.

Skyejuly · 14/02/2019 11:49

My dd took some brownies for her best friend!

RiverTam · 14/02/2019 11:50

yuck.

That would be my view as well as DD's.

glitterelf · 14/02/2019 11:50

My daughter took in 2 cards that she had made for her friends because she loves playing with them and they are kind to her. She's 5 and wanted to do it off her own back so why would or should I stop her ?

HidCat · 14/02/2019 11:51

Lots of kids in Y1 doing this today, I don't encourage it for my DS but he did say he wanted to go to the disco they're holding tonight so he's doing that. It's a school fundraiser too so I think it's more appropriate but if he wanted to make a card for someone in his class then I don't think I'd stop him.

purpleelk · 14/02/2019 11:51

My kids are handing out cards to their entire class. Just like Christmas.

And just like Christmas, some kids might chose to only give a card to a few friends.

KNain · 14/02/2019 11:52

Some people used to send each other valentines when I was at primary school 20-odd years ago.

I can remember a boy leaving a card and box of chocolates in my best friend's tray when we were at school. We all thought it was so lovely.
25 years later and my best friend and that boy are happily married with 3 children.

Maryann1975 · 14/02/2019 11:53

Dc1 and 2 wouldn’t have gone if did valentines at primary school, but dc3 has a ‘boyfriend ‘ and has made him a card. I can’t get worked up about it tbh.

RiverTam · 14/02/2019 11:57

I actually feel really cross about this. I never got a single Valentine when I was at school and it was a horrible experience every year running the gauntlet of all those brandishing their numerous cards. Starting this at primary school?

I guess whoever's idea this is wasn't someone who never got a card.

WorraLiberty · 14/02/2019 11:58

This happened when I was at school during the 70s.

The only difference was, they were made by the children and not their helicopter parents.

purpleelk · 14/02/2019 12:01

“I guess whoever's idea this is wasn't someone who never got a card.”

That “whoever” started giving cards, so yes they started giving cards without ever receiving one first .

I guess you never gave any cards either.

BlueMerchant · 14/02/2019 12:04

I wouldn't encourage it but is harmless and innocent (mostly I think) I remember 20 years ago when I was in primary school the boys taking cards and gifts for the popular girl in my class. At the end of the day there was a fight between all the boys. This girl stood on watching and 'chose' which boy was worthy of her love! She still has a very high opinion of herself today!

PoliticalBiscuit · 14/02/2019 12:16

As someone who gave Valentine's Cards out at school and never got one back No, I don't care if my children want to give someone a card!

I think it's sweet! I did then, that's why I gave them out. I still think it's sweet. My son went to school today with small chocolates for his teaching staff and a card for one girl in his class.

for those who never got any when they wanted some.

pilates · 14/02/2019 12:37

I don’t see the problem with it as long as it’s instigated by the children and not the parents.

ErictheGuineaPig · 14/02/2019 12:40

Meh. It's not something I would be initiating with my kids but my youngest has taken stuff in for her 'boyfriend' last year because he got her something. And this year she took something in for her best friend. Asked herself to do it and spent her own pocket money. I don't really see an issue with it. I wasn't exactly popular myself but I did get a box of chocs one year from a primary school boyfriend so it doesn't seem like a crazy new thing to me.

kenandbarbie · 14/02/2019 12:42

My ds made cards and wrote a poem for the neighbour. His brother made a card for their little sister. I suggested none of it!

Mynci · 14/02/2019 12:44

This is not a new thing, I remember this happening at primary school in the 80s! Parents didn't post about it on social media though!

Pretamum · 14/02/2019 12:44

I would take offence if the school was pushing this, but if it's an idea that the child has had and wants to show affection for someone than fair enough. My DS drew a picture for a female friend of his at his nursery to take in and give her today. This was not my idea, it was all him and I find it very sweet that he would think of others. although he did then manage to tear it in the car this morning and was hysterical because he said it wasn't right to give his friend something broken. But yeah, if the nursery was pushing this I'd be offended - more for the fact that it turns what could have been a lovely random gesture into something mandatory like homework.

HerRoyalNotness · 14/02/2019 12:44

Our school rule is take something for everyone in the class. Slightly peeved this year as a week ago they said a small card only. Then last night a text came at 7.43pm to say no homemade cookies, cakes, balloons etc, only a small card with candy attached. Which is what we normally do, except we didn’t due to the email last week. dC is a bit sensitive to these things so I hope he doesn’t feel upset he doesnt have anything to take in.

Original poster

gamerwidow · 14/02/2019 12:47

I don’t think it’s sinister just likely to cause upset when some people are getting gifts and others aren’t. They’ve got a lifetime to learn about rejection and unpopularity why start so young. If it was a handmade card or gift the children had made themselves off their own back I’d probably think it was quite sweet but these are obviously made by the mum

OP posts:

Flip

1 2