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Original poster

To speak to school about mascot toy

78 replies

wheresthel1ght · 27/01/2018 20:58

Dd has brought the class mascot home for the weekend. I have then had to wash and disinfect it as it was filthy which I expect when it's handed round 30+ kids and dragged to every place over their weekend. However, it absolutely stinks of fag smoke.

Dd is asthmatic, having it so close to her (she has carried it everywhere) has left her coughing and wheezing a lot. I have now out everything including the bag and the Teddy in the washing machine.

Would I be "that parent" if I had a word with the teacher about it?

OP posts:
category12 · 27/01/2018 21:00

Yes. You've washed it, so problem solved.

TheQueenOfWands · 27/01/2018 21:00

Yes, you would.

But I do agree with you. It's grim. Children shouldn't be playing with a smokey bear.

Original poster
wheresthel1ght · 27/01/2018 21:04

Thought as much, it just pisses me off that people would allow it to get into that state without considering its impact on other children

OP posts:
Butterball17 · 27/01/2018 21:04

I wouldn’t say anything directly but perhaps mention in the mascots book if it has one that you have given him a bath/wash as he was a bit smelly and grubby!

strawberrypenguin · 27/01/2018 21:04

I’m going to say no you wouldn’t. Teacher should be aware of your DD’s medical history and have washed bear before sending it home with her. I’d mention it

Amatree · 27/01/2018 21:07

I would have a quiet word with the teacher, definitely. It's grim but more to the point it's affecting your dd's health issue. Surely the mascot could be changed each half term to keep hygiene issues to a minimum?

DragonsAndCakes · 27/01/2018 21:09

Why didn’t you just put it straight in the washing machine?

Original poster
wheresthel1ght · 27/01/2018 21:10

I don't think the staff have time, it goes home twice a week with a different child but this is the first time dd has had it.

I do think that it should be washed over the school holidays as it clearly doesn't go home then.

I was just intending to mention that the smell of fags has upset her asthma and could they make sure if she gets it again it is washed or at least febreezed first.

OP posts:
YouWereRight · 27/01/2018 21:12

For the last 2 years my DC's class thing has been a plastic toy. Quick swish in the sink and jobs a gooden.

Original poster
wheresthel1ght · 27/01/2018 21:13

dragons have you ever tried to prise the fingers of an excited 4 year old off the special treat of the class mascot?! I didn't really notice the smell until it was in my car today, outside school it just smelt musty so we had talked about giving him a bath

OP posts:
Original poster
wheresthel1ght · 27/01/2018 21:15

@youwereright that would be much more sensible! This is one of those build a bear teddy's complete with a wardrobe of clothes!

I did panic about whether it would survive the washing machine!

OP posts:
DragonsAndCakes · 27/01/2018 21:26

I don’t think you can expect the teacher to notice that it smelt if you didn’t.

I don’t understand how cigarette smoke + febreeze would be any better?

Greensleeves · 27/01/2018 21:29

I'm not sure what the teacher could do about it, really. She can't stop certain children from having their turn because their parents are smokers, and you said yourself you didn't notice it smelt at first. The teacher may not have noticed either - there is a glorious variety of smells in a primary school classroom.

saladdays66 · 27/01/2018 21:29

Teachers have more to worry about than washing the class toy. Take a pic of bear drying and write in the diary that bear had a bath!

GreenTulips · 27/01/2018 21:29

Maybe the took the bear out drinking and smoking all weekend?

I'd need a fag after being dragged round by a 4 year old!!

Maybe send him back with a nicotine patch and an NHS leaflet?

WorraLiberty · 27/01/2018 21:30

How are they supposed to guess that

A) The smell of cigarette smoke triggers her asthma

B) Febreeze doesn't

WorraLiberty · 27/01/2018 21:32

Maybe send him back with a nicotine patch and an NHS leaflet?

Or a vape machine Grin

DeleteOrDecay · 27/01/2018 21:32

I always wash the class mascot when it comes to us, you never know when it was last washed and it usually looks grim as it is. Wouldn't expect the teacher to wash it though, that's ridiculous.

GroggyFroggy · 27/01/2018 21:33

Greentulips Grin

Dermymc · 27/01/2018 21:35

Febreeze is just as bad surely Hmm

GreenTulips · 27/01/2018 21:35

Perfect

To speak to school about mascot toy
Foxedme · 27/01/2018 21:36

When my the kids from my class took home our class bear I'd always joke to the parents that "Charlie bear loves a spin in the washing machine!"
Well done for washing it and you'll know for next time. I think you'd look a bit silly complaining to the class teacher. We are lovely at dealing with all sorts of things but there's a limit. It's not going to change anything if you moan. You see the teacher has eleventy billion jobs to do and washing class bear before sending it home with the asthmatic child is not going to be on that list. Sorry to be harsh, just being honest.

Cavelady67 · 27/01/2018 21:38

I always wash the stinky mascots when we have them, usually as soon as I have them home. Teacher/club leader is always delighted when they come back clean.

QueenDramaLlama · 27/01/2018 21:41

I would definitely mention it.
There is a child in your daughters class that is breathing in this smoke all the time. Worth a mention. If the bear can stink after one stay with a child imagine what their lungs must be like. :(

Original poster
wheresthel1ght · 27/01/2018 21:45

I guess the bigger issue is I know who had it last and have stopped play dates with said child as I found out a family member smokes in the house.

I may just leave it as part of dad's wrote up that "teddy has had a bath and is clean and smelling fresh as a daisy"

But yes it is scary that people would smoke in a house with young kids.

OP posts:
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