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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To buy sanpro and leave them in the classroom

171 replies

HighwayDragon1 · 07/02/2016 18:10

I buy pads (just tesco value ones) and leave them in my classroom, in case any of them are caught short, I buy about one pack a month. The girls know where they are if they need them.

DP thinks it's weird, that the parents should buy them and it's not my responsibility. Now its not, but sometimes you just come on and school must be the worst place for it to happen.

It's not weird is it? How would you feel if your daughters teacher gave her a pad? Is it a line I've crossed? I'm questioning it now.

This is secondary school.

OP posts:
QuietWhenReading · 07/02/2016 18:46

Crossing a line? Certainly not!

It's a lovely, thoughtful and kind thing to do.

MackerelOfFact · 07/02/2016 18:46

Your DP is being very unfair. Presumably he's happy for toilet paper to be available to him every time he goes for a shit and doesn't think he should provide his own? Then why should sanitary protection not be provided too?

You're being very thoughtful and considerate. It's little things like that which make a good teacher a brilliant teacher.

Armi · 07/02/2016 18:48

We have pastoral support staff who provide towels and tampons. The girls know how to access them without it being a faff.

As a PP mentioned, I do always have a box of tissues on my desk. Runny noses seem to be less common than tears with my teenaged girls. I'd hate to be a teenager again, poor things.

Goingtobeawesome · 07/02/2016 18:49

OP, why does your partner think you are weird for being kind? Just because he will never have a period it doesn't mean it's okay for him to be an idiot. My husband will never need them but he is happy to buy pads for me and would for our DD should she ask. Plenty of people can understand embarrassing things they'll never experience themselves and not act like the OP's partner.

jay55 · 07/02/2016 18:50

It is a lovely thing to do.

AuntieStella · 07/02/2016 18:52

It's not remotely weird.

I just asked DD what happens in her schools. In her primary, as part of the puberty talk in year 5 (9/10 yo) the girls were told that if they ever needed sanpro in school and had none with them, they should ask their form teacher (all of whom had a supply for this reason) or if for any reason they did not want to ask their own teacher )one year 6 teacher was male) they could always come to her (nice, motherly teacher).

At secondary, she knows there is an emergency supply in the medical room, but I suspect the girls borrow from their friends.

Shallishanti · 07/02/2016 18:52

not weird at all, and as pp said, a good way to normalise menstruation for boys
so sorry for all those whose parents can't/don't/didn't provide for them Sad

Squiff85 · 07/02/2016 18:53

I think its really lovely of you. So thoughtful, its hard being a teenager without worries like that! Great idea, well done you x

NeedACleverNN · 07/02/2016 18:54

I would have no problem with it.

I was caught a couple of times and used toilet roll. Would have been relieved to know a teacher had some placed somewhere for me to get if I needed it

TheExMotherInLaw · 07/02/2016 18:55

How kind of you!
I wonder if you could get freebies by approaching some of the companies?

QueenofLouisiana · 07/02/2016 18:56

I have them available in my room- a full kit of clean (new) knickers, pads, baby wipes and nappy sacks. A few times a year one of my yr5/6 girls needs something.

Xmasbaby11 · 07/02/2016 18:56

Very kind and thoughtful. Good for you.

Acorn44 · 07/02/2016 18:57

I do the same thing. I also leave a spare pair of tights in the box, along with tissues. Students always seem appreciative. Our nurse does have spare supplies, but the girls are very Blush about having to ask her!

Topsy34 · 07/02/2016 18:59

I think it's lovely and kind of you. True, it's not your responsibility but thoughtful

Some girls might be embarrassed to ask at the first aid room/nurse, but. Might find it easier to approach a familiar face

Chottie · 07/02/2016 18:59

OP - please carry on being caring and ignore your DP on this one.

MrFMercury · 07/02/2016 19:01

It's a lovely thing to do. I wish I'd had a teacher like you. My parents divorced when I was 10 and I started my periods that year. My dad refused point blank to buy sanpro, my mum was too infatuated with her other man so in the end I was given 20p a week from which I was meant to buy everything I needed. It was utterly humiliating.

stressedcoversupervisor · 07/02/2016 19:04

That's an amazing idea! I only ever had the misfortune of coming on once unprepared during school but honestly it was horrendous and I wish one of my teachers had done what you do.

Potatoface2 · 07/02/2016 19:04

you are the sort of teacher i wish my daughter had had.....instead she had a man who didnt give a hoot!

CwtchyQ · 07/02/2016 19:04

This is so lovely.

I think you're also teaching them kindness and compassion there OP. Women should always look out for one another - your DP is naive, as so many men are.

Original poster
HighwayDragon1 · 07/02/2016 19:07

I've asked him to clarify, he has said he thinks I shouldn't have to buy them, that the girls should have them in their bags and parents should look after their girls.

I agree with him, but supply them because it doesn't always work like that.

OP posts:
Battleshiphips2 · 07/02/2016 19:09

I would've loved a teacher like you. I started my periods in primary when I was just 9 years old. We didn't have any machines in the loos or anything and I can remember coming On unexpectedly and having to shove toilet tissue in my knickers. I was soaked through by the time I got home. After that mum made sure I always had something in my bag but it would've been nice to know a teacher was that thoughtful.

shebird · 07/02/2016 19:09

I hope there are teachers like you at my DDs school Flowers

Makinglists · 07/02/2016 19:09

Sounds lovely and very caring. I'm a guide leader and if we are going away we always have some sanpro stashed away for the girls just in case. Its bad enough getting caught out even worse when your young and you don;t want to make excuses, get embarassed or spend the day trying to manage with wads of loo paper.

As a parent I would be very grateful to you.

ijustwannadance · 07/02/2016 19:10

It is a lovely thing to do. When I was at school the ones you got from the nurse/office were like maternity pads. Horrid things.

Lancelottie · 07/02/2016 19:10

Even parents who look after their girls, and girls who usually bring their own, can't predict every eventuality - lost bag, irregular period, or just going through one an hour unexpectedly.

He doesn't know what he's talking about so should stay out of it.