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AIBU?

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Original poster

Someone bought an elf for DD

286 replies

Yabbers · 06/12/2018 16:19

Got a call from school today, a staff member was talking with DD yesterday and DD told her she was going to write to Santa to ask for an elf on the shelf.

Staff member bought one and left it at her desk this morning so DD thinks Santa has done as she asked.

I've a huge problem with the whole elf thing, happy for others to do it, it's just not for us.

We're under a lot of pressure for a number of reasons and now we've
got to spend each bloody night doing something with this damned elf. AiBU to be really pissed off that someone else has done this to us?

OP posts:
flamingofridays · 06/12/2018 16:47

why do you have a "huge problem" with it?

its only a bit of fun. staff member probably thought she was doing something nice.

hazeyjane · 06/12/2018 16:50

I think just say that it was a lovely surprise from Santa, maybe it was and elf tired from overwork in his workshop and he has come down to have a rest in her bed!

All those who roll their eyes and say 'oh for gawds sake it's just sticking it somewhere every night' - can't you get that everyone has different shit going on, if you have chosen to do it that is dandy, but for me (And many others) it's just a job to remember too many!

PawneeParksDept · 06/12/2018 16:51

I would agree it's an imposition

The elves are so ubiquitous now, especially on Social Media that the staff member must have known you were aware of it and had elected not to.

Now she's forced your hand

Which is both rude and a bit judgy, IMO

earlybirdhasanap · 06/12/2018 16:51

Maybe someone bought her children the elf and she was frantically trying to get rid of it?

I would have a problem with this though as I never ever want to be wasting my time doing elf on a shelf.

HestiaParthenos · 06/12/2018 16:51

puts on SPEW badge

Elves are not for sale! That's terrible!

... oh, you are talking about a doll.

AiBU to be really pissed off that someone else has done this to us?

I think you are. You don't have to participate in this nonsense, surely?

If your daughter brought the thing home, just leave it where it is. You can tell her it probably is exhausted from last Christmas and just needs a break.

WhyOhWine · 06/12/2018 16:51

They should treat it like a class bear, i.e. someone different brings it home each night, or just have it as a classroom elf, and then the helpful person can pose it each day after the kids have left. .

HestiaParthenos · 06/12/2018 16:52

... give the elf a sock and tell your daughter it is free now and doesn't have to work for Santa anymore?

Grin
theonlyKevin · 06/12/2018 16:52

All those who roll their eyes and say 'oh for gawds sake it's just sticking it somewhere every night' - can't you get that everyone has different shit going on, if you have chosen to do it that is dandy, but for me (And many others) it's just a job to remember too many!

you seem to have plenty time to post on MN, so no, I don't take your I am so busyyyyy seriously, sorry!

AutumnB · 06/12/2018 16:53

OP says staff member.may not be a teacher but still inappropriate. Bit odd the school called though.

Caprisunorange · 06/12/2018 16:54

I find it really weird when people pretend they are too busy to move an elf from, say, the sitting room to the dining room, when what they actually mean is I don’t want to do it.

lanbro · 06/12/2018 16:55

Ours doesn't do anything more than move around the house, o certainly am not going to encourage naughtiness or create an extra lot of cleaning for my self!

diddl · 06/12/2018 16:57

"now we've got to spend each bloody night doing something with this damned elf."

Of course you don't!

So what did you say when you got the call?

That the teacher was overstepping & to explain that it was just for use at school for a couple of days?

Let the teacher sort it out!

MinisterforCheekyFuckery · 06/12/2018 16:57

I find it really weird when people pretend they are too busy to move an elf from, say, the sitting room to the dining room, when what they actually mean is I don’t want to do it

The point is that if the OP doesn't want to do it, for whatever reason, that should be her choice. This staff member has taken it upon themselves to make the decision for her though.

CaMePlaitPas · 06/12/2018 16:57

I think it was bought by someone with good intentions but I agree it's a bit unprofessional, unless they supplied the whole class with a elf.

I would be inclined to tell DD that the elf doesn't work Grin

MacarenaFerreiro · 06/12/2018 16:59

Completely overstepping boundaries. How about you leave the elf in school and the staff member has the "fun" of thinking up stuff for it to do??

I would be furious.

thewinkingprawn · 06/12/2018 17:00

I’m sure you can move it from room to room each night. I am also sure there must be more to it then a member of staff just randomly buying your child a gift or do they do that for all children whenever they mention something.

hazeyjane · 06/12/2018 17:00

Hahaha...ah, you are so clever, you got me! Although, i didn't say I was too busy, in fact I've been sat on my arse for 2 days with a sick boy lying on me.

I said it was another thing to remember, which along with all the other day to day stuff would be too much for me. There are other things I do choose to do....but not this.

AriadnePersephoneCloud · 06/12/2018 17:01

Move it once, wrap something rounds it's leg to look like a cast, sign it from santa, leave it on shelf til Dec 25th. Job done 😁we have two elves. They move but only from a shalf to the tree to a bookcase. They don't do anything much 😁

Pebblespony · 06/12/2018 17:01

Love the idea of 'freeing' the elf. Leave him on a bus and say he's gone on an adventure.

ThePoliticiansPraiseMyName · 06/12/2018 17:02

My ds' preschool have a classroom elf that is a bit cheeky and usually sets up craft activities for the children to find in the morning, maybe you need to suggest something like that? I would be annoyed, if she was that interested surely it would have been more appropriate to let you know that that was dd had written so you could make a decision? Did she buy every child in the class what they had asked for? It feels like it crosses boundaries to me.

theonlyKevin · 06/12/2018 17:02

I said it was another thing to remember, which along with all the other day to day stuff would be too much for me.

oh dear...

RCohle · 06/12/2018 17:03

That sounds bizarre from the staff member and completely overstepping boundaries. Is there a lot more to this?

diddl · 06/12/2018 17:03

Surely it's to be the class elf & it's first place was on your daughter's desk?

(Why do kids think that FC brings anything before 24th/25th?)

PermanentlyFrizzyHairBall · 06/12/2018 17:04

I get it's convenient for you personally but this person was clearly trying to be nice to DD and create a bit of magic for her.

cantfindname · 06/12/2018 17:04

I fail to see the problems with Elf. I agree the staff member shouldn't have interfered but the doings of Elf give children so much fun. My Grandson adores his and thinking of something doesn't take a whole lot of effort for a child you love.

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