Fathers Day and Primary Schools

[HelloQuery]

Our school’s PTA has, since I have had DC at the primary school, organised little Mother’s and Father’s Day crafts (with optional small payments). This year, while Mother’s Day activities went ahead as usual, Father’s Day was not marked.

It seems that this is due to the growing number of children in our community navigating fatherlessness – whether through loss, separation, or other circumstances. Others wondered if it was simply an oversight. I am very interested in finding out more about how this is done in other schools:

• Does your school celebrate both days consistently, or has there been a move toward reimagining them?
• Have you seen creative alternatives that honour all types of caregivers – grandparents, foster parents, or older siblings stepping into parental roles?
• Is there any communication regarding the choices made?

This isn’t about judging choices – I recognise these decisions are complex. But as our understanding of family structures evolves, I’m curious how schools are adapting.

Fathers day but not mothers day at mine. No idea why

Both not marked by the school which I think is the most sensitive way to deal with it.

Oh didn't even think of that option but good to see wgat is done in other schools. Thank you

Definitely the most sensitive.

Our school marks both. But child can do something for another relative. I have thought it must be difficult for children without traditional mother/father at home.

Neither
Too many " different " families

At ours they usually do something for a grandad or uncle or someone

'Navigating fatherlessness' sounds judgy tbh

Dd's school gave me a mothers day card, which I treasured. As shes in a sen class, which is small, I think its easier for the teachers to know their family background and who to send home with which cards, which I appreciate

Dd doesn't have a dad. We're OK.

Our nursery does both, including inviting people in to do craft and have a cuppa. But they are clear that any family member or friend can come to this.

Both equally ignored at the primary school. Too complicated. The kids did make cards at nursery for both of us but I don’t think they did anything else

We've been at 2 primary schools. Neither did anything for either day. Probably the best approach.

My children's school marks both equally

We do Mother’s Day as Mothering Sunday is a Christian celebration. Don’t do Father’s Day, partly due to the number of children who don’t have contact with their dads, plus not religious.

Neither here. They make their cards at cubs and scouts

Mothers day is always done and I have always got a card. Fathers day is done sometimes. We used to have a mum's and dad's race at sports day but it was cancelled last year due to health and safety. This year it was an "adults" race. Although I expect they won't be doing that next year as 2 of the parents fell over and one of them had to be helped off the field afterwards.

We got a handmade card for each of them, from DS who is in Reception.

I can see why you'd want to be sensitive about it, though, and I wouldn't mind at all if they didn't do it. In fact I'd maybe prefer it. At least one of my DS's friends has a dad who passed away when the friend was a toddler, and I can only imagine that seeing everyone make a fathers' day cards must have been tricky for him.

I'd feel exactly the same (mildish) pride and joy at getting a homemade card every term to celebrate Christmas/spring/whatever, without the potential issues.

Neither are officially marked by our DCs nursery. Often the children know that it’s coming up and ask to make cards so the activity is “make a card or picture for someone you love” or “for someone who looks after you”.

DC is 4 and a child in his class who’s dad passed away when the child was 2.5 and another child who’s mum passed away recently. He also has one who is raised by grandparents and is not allowed parental contact.

I think the nursery handle it well.

I used to manage a greetings card shop and the reality is that Mother’s Day cards outsold Father’s Day cards by a LOT

They do a gift stall for both, no more than £2.50 per child. They did cards/crafts in reception for both but nothing since. Very mixed demographic school 38% pupil premium, quite a few single parents or alternative family set ups.

I no longer teach but when I did neither were marked.

We had multiple children who had lost a parent due to cancer (one was aged only five when her mum passed). We also had several children who were in foster care or afopted.

The school where my children went and where I am still a governor have “a day for a special person” on both Mother’s and Father’s Day.

Sounds like it's AI speak.

Well that's an utter piss-take!

My daughter's nursery does Mothers' Day and Fathers' Day. My daughter is one of two kids at the nursery with two mummies, so on Mothers' Day, she had to make two cards. She wasn't impressed.

The nursery manager asked me what to do about Fathers' Day- I said she didn't have to make a card, but the nursery manager was having none of it, so I said, "Well, she has two granddads." Lo and behold, my fatherless child ended up having to make two Fathers' Day cards. She was livid.

Indeed... English is not my first language so I used AI to try and find the most sensitive way of saying it. Clearly that failed anyways.

Thank you all for your thoughts. It is so helpful to see what other school has do.

Mother’s Day but not Father’s Day at ours.