AIBU to think parents are overprotective??

[Teacher21]

I teach at a school with 25% Service Children...my husband is in the Army too. I have put together a fabulous day with our.local Army Units doing activities for the whole school. No mean feat for 285 children. The Army personnel want to give some water bottles, pens etc out to the children at the end of the day. Ive been told we cant do that as some parents may be offended!! Its the British Army, they are a real thing! Its not propaganda its a bloody water bottle. AIBU to want to tell the parents of their little precious kid to get a grip?

Well it depends who told you. Was it a teacher? If so, the parent won't have a clue what's been said on their behalf.

Well I mean I really wouldn't want my children in the army. We have had family members in the armed forces but it is not something I would wish on my children. I am very much raising them to believe that soldiers are wonderful people but the army is not for people like them. But I really wouldn't raise an eyebrow at a water bottle after my children had spent a whole day doing educational army activities. Very odd.

It sounds to me like it's staff being offended on the child's behalf but YANBU

It was a parent, I'd sent a letter home detailing the day and mentioned that the children would be given a memento in the form of a water bottle and pencil. The whole country are celebrating Armed Forces Day the day after so it's a National event..

If I were objecting to my child being given an army water bottle and pencil (presumably on the basis that it's propaganda) I would certainly not be allowing my child attend a fun day with local army units.

So it seems strange to me that parents are objecting to the gifts but not the day. Easy way round - just make it clear that any parent who objects to child getting gift should let you know, and they won't be given the gift (and make it clear to the child that this is at their own parents' request).

People are offended over anything nowadays

I don't see how giving out a pen means they've been secretly enlisted, and when they're 18 they're going to be whisked away...

I've ended up saying, there will be an Army water bottle and pencil available at the end of the day, if your child does not wish to take one they won't be made to. So it's not the school forcing on one the child its their choice.

So it’s been ok to do activities with the army all day but not have a water bottle ??? Crazy world

Sounds like a good compromise.

I think it's totally reasonable to say that they're available for those that want them.

Are you in the UK?

I wouldn’t want my kids doing an ‘army day’
Perhaps a day with activities that didn’t push the army theme. Maybe the water bottles etc are seen to be pushing the theme?

well I think it's fine to refuse and obviously some people have issues with the army for their own personal reasons but I would of expected then to not allow the child to attend the fun day if that was the case. If they feel that strongly about it I'm surprised they allowed them to come.

Theres a mini assault course, shelter building, looking at the rations, baking with the Army Chefs, a Army Quintet band and some trying on if clothes. 1/4 of our pupils are from Army Families our school is in the middle of 2 Army Camps. We just thought its a chance for our serving parents lots if our mums are serving to come into school and share skills.

Yep, the school is right in between 2 Army Camps, 1/4 of our children have at least 1 serving parent.

Just a genuine question, why would you not want your child to take part in an Armed Forces Day event, it's a National event held country wise, would you let them be part of a big Remembrance Assembly? Im genuinely just curious as to what would make you say no.

I think it sounds like a brilliant idea and a really fun day.

Its sad to read that people wouldnt want their kids to take part in this. We should be proud of our army. They dont just fight in wars, they rescue people who are at risk in dangerous conditions.. (remember the floods, the snow etc in the UK.. many lives could have been lost without our army pitching in).

Some people are pacifists. My grandfather was a conscientious objector. I would be uncomfortable with my D.C. participating in an army day, but would probably say nothing and let them join in. At primary age they'd take a water bottle and pencil, and I'd probably "lose"them shortly afterwards.

The HT of my DCs school wouldn't allow an armed forces day at their school and campaigns against under 18s joining the army.

Not everybody shares the same views.

Would the HT allow children of serving soldiers to attend their school. Drop off and pick up in combats as well....

Yes he would.

He appreciates some people may want their D.C. to join the army, and some of his pupils may want to join the army, and makes it clear he won't discourage those who do. He realises each family has their own beliefs. But he doesn't believe under 18s should join the armed forces and doesn't encourage them to do so.

He does take them on peace protests though I was disappointed my D.C. didn't want to go because it would be boring

This isn’t an army recruitment day though.

Is Armed Forces day a UK thing?

It's clearly not at all the same thing as remembrance day.

I don't get it. My kids would love an army day and a pen and water bottle. I'm really baffled as to why people would be offended by this!

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.armedforcesday.org.uk/&ved=2ahUKEwjFtrmZ79PbAhUqDsAKHfefC2UQFjAKegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3vh1-m21S7zZnXQpcb-FU1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.armedforcesday.org.uk/&ved=2ahUKEwjFtrmZ79PbAhUqDsAKHfefC2UQFjAKegQIARAB&usg=AOvVaw3vh1-m21S7zZnXQpcb-FU1

Absolute joke. Press ahead and if the parent has that much of an issue they'll not send them in. Don't pander to ridiculous behaviour

I don't see it as any different to visiting churches, forest school, or theme park visit, library visit or similar

Schools should broader children's minds and activities.