To be unhappy with this school trip?

[IWannaHoldYourHand]

Ds2 is in reception and has come home with a letter advising us of a school trip to a farm in December. The cost is a reasonable amount for the farm that will be visited, however the main focus of the visit is having lunch with Santa, and receiving a gift.

It is the visiting Santa that I feel odd about. I see this as a very family based event, and not something I would expect to do with anybody else, or without his sibling. We wouldn't even refer to him as Santa at home, and it just feels strange to me.

I have spoken to the head who informed me that this will be backing up their learning for that term, and advised that I have the option of attending, but it still feels wrong to me. So is this normal, do schools regularly take a trip to visit Father Christmas?

I have to say I would be wary of this myself, simply because DD is rather scared of every Santa we have come across and had only been in one grotto, with me at her insistence. I think she would have been bloody terrified. But I would have told the staff that and made sure that she, and they, knew that she didn't have to be a part of that bit of the trip if she didn't want to.

"Still remember DD asking me "how come everyone in our family buys us presents, except you ....and you're our Mum!" Er..."

That happened to my nephew when he was small. He came home from school one day in January really upset because all his friends had received Christmas presents from family members and he hadn't.

When I was little the stockings came from Father Christmas and the presents from people. I did this with DD, much to MIL's disapproval. I told her that I wanted DD to have the good manners to thank people for her presents.

I must admit that I was surprised to see that this thread is still rumbling on.

Who knew that parents could be so ridiculously precious about visits to Santa!

BoboChic I find your posts unpleasant and goady.

Yabvvvu, mabey you don't believe in Santa, but don't spoil what sounds like a lovely trip for everybody else!

The smarter kids cotton on very soon, and just go along with - I remember DS1 grinning widely aged abt 3 and saying, 'Santa will come for DS2 - please mummy just so you know as well as Santa, I REALLY want a xxx'
What stuck in my craw is parents tying themselves up in knots trying to make KS2 kids 'believe' - for the parents own benefit of preserving the DC in aspic as babies.

"Thankfully they swallowed my explanation, and we had a good few more years of believing. "

Why on earth go through all that rigmarole??

BertrandRussell one of my DC friends had a parent that was mad enough to pretend to burn a Santa letter on the fire and then palm it to a Santa 'Elf' at Lapland to completely convince the poor kid (aged 10) that Santa really existed.
There are no bounds to parental craziness!

OP, you went to the Head about this?

What an u pleasant post at 11.26 BoboChic

It says far more about you than it does about any teachers unfortunate enough to have to interact with you.

I have reported it. I don't normally bother but I found that deeply unpleasant.

On reflection I probably shouldn't- it is better to leave it to show unpleasant people.

I agree Mehitabel that BoboChic has done a sterling job of showing herself up.

I reported that post too, really nasty and very goady.

Lots of 4 year olds are bored silly at school and resent being patronized by teachers with IQs well below those of their parents. Or indeed their own

That comment says more about you than anyone else.

I feel sorry for any teachers that have to deal with you.

You have absolutely no self awareness and say some vile things.

Hhhmmmm Think perhaps that poster always wanted to teach alas never quite cut the mustard....

For very obvious reasons

I think she was just bored and having fun winding us up. I have never come across someone with such child unfriendly views.

Erm bobochic have you ever thought of home ed! You really don't have much time for teachers do you, firstly your year 7's teacher is a moron and now your comment today!

Have you solved French education yet btw!

I just had a look back at bobo's comment that people have felt reportable - it wasn't a nice comment, but it was an observation on her thoughts on teachers. i feel it is an untrue generalisation, as will most readers. No need to try get it removed though.

Pink I think there's quite a lot of history with bobo she has some very strange idea about education and insists she's right!

I don't recognise the user name, so cannot comment on that. However, censorship is not the answer - it gives more mystery to non theory.

No teacher in their right mind would take bobo seriously. They must alternate between laughing at her and rolling their eyes inwardly when she opens her mouth.

I never understand why anyone wants to become that parent.

I have always supported my children in school, but I have chosen my battles, been realistic and pleasant and stayed on good terms.

I would prefer to be the parent that all staff like,and have respect for, and not the ones where eyes roll at any mention and they all try to avoid! You can just imagine the staff room and a teacher going in and saying 'you will never guess what X thinks now' to general mirth as the story of X livens up their day!

Mehitabel - why on earth do you think parents care if teaching staff like them? I don't give a tiny weeny piece of * as to whether teachers like me! Obviously there are some Iike (and I wish I liked them all) but I am totally indifferent as to their feelings for me.

Just as well BoBo.

Which is just as well - because no teacher in their right mind would take you seriously.

You do of course get better results if the staff like and respect you so it works in favour of your child.