School hamper?

[unsure111]

So I'm having a not very good time atm. Problems at my daughters school involving another girl and daughter hanging onto to me every morning crying that she doesn't want to go. School are sorting this.

Then money problems meter being fitted without my knowledge just came home one day after work to all electric off and had to top it up.

Anyway last Monday I think I had a mini breakdown? I just wanted to end it all and be gone and not have to deal with everything anymore.

My mum has mentioned when she dropped daughter off one day last week when daughter was crying again she told the teacher I'm having a hard time at home not sure what exactly the conversation went like.

Friday afternoon I get a call from the school telling me they are sending a hamper out to me. They said they pick 3 people who they think would like a hamper. But being at this school for 4 years I have never heard of this before. I feel like they think I'm really struggling and haven't got a lot because I'm a lone parent. I fee slightly embarrassed when I go to the school now.

What would you think of this?

I think it's a lovely idea. They don't necessarily think you're struggling but maybe think you just need a boost.

We do something like this at a school I know.
Not many people know we do it, apart from those who receive the gift, the person who pays each year and a selected few.
Please take the gift in the spirit it is given.

It's a gift to show you a bit of human kindness at a time you might need to be reminded you're not alone. Take it in the spirit it is meant - I know that can be tough to do when you're low but honestly it only comes from a place of good.

@Paddington68 is it something the school does or a parent organises?

I think the fact you didn't know this happens suggests they don't make a public thing of it and handle it in a sensitive manner. You say you have been struggling and school at least knew there was a problem with another girl and your daughter and now your mum has backed that up. I would accept it for the kind gesture I think it is meant to be (and probably blub a bit too). Try not to be embarrassed but to recognise that the school is going that extra mile and trying to be supportive. Enjoy your hamper

Thanks for your replies I feel abit better about it now. Will send a thank you card to them.

Just made me a bit paranoid that they school don't think I'm coping or can't afford Christmas.

In the schools I worked with it was a pastoral staff role/task. Please don't be offended or upset- everyone wants to be supportive neighbours.

@GrainOfSalt i definitely cried when the school rang me. It is a lovely thing to do. And would think if anyone else was to receive it I would say the same thing. I think my head is just working over time at the moment.

It's also something to school do secretly as they are sending it out to me rather than giving it to me at the school

We do them every Christmas and give them discreetly to families having a tough time. It could be any of us at different time. I agree that if you feel you can, accept it in the spirit it is meant which is to show you that people care for you.

Say thank you and just be grateful.I'm sure you very rarely get gifts like that and you deserve it.

I think it’s lovely but would also feel embarrassed, it’s just your pride.

Aw that's so lovely. As a poster said if you dont know about it they obviously keep it discreet. I doubt it's about assuming you cabt afford xmas , more just perhaps making it a little easier. Or trying to make it a little less of a worry.

It’s not that they don’t think you can afford it or cope. Just they want to do something nice for a deserving member of the school community who they think would appreciate it.
Here’s hoping for a bloody fantastic 2020 for you OP.

I think it's a lovely idea. They don't necessarily think you're struggling but maybe think you just need a boost.

What a lovely idea! It would cheer me up.

I’ve worked at a secondary school where we found out the Dad has no money to buy the children Christmas presents. The staff bought and wrapped lots of gifts and delivered them to the Dad when the kids were at school. Obviously none of the students were told about it.

Our school gives out almost 40 hampers like this each year as every form group makes one. The majority are handed over to our local catholic parishes to distribute but some are given directly to families of children in the school who we know are having a tough time. It’s not necessarily those in financial difficulty. Don’t be embarrassed! We’ve given them to families in all sorts of circumstances where we think a hamper might make life easier. Last year it was a family with a child in hospital who we thought might appreciate having some food in the house and that they didn’t have to go shopping for.

I’m a school secretary and we have a similar system. All confidential and very discreet. Sounds like you deserve it. I hope you have a better 2020

We don’t tell the other students or other staff who has received them either so unless the family shared that information nobody outside of the SLT or member of pastoral staff who referred them would know.

I think this is absolutely lovely and I definitely think it’s not something that other parents will know about. I wonder if my DC’s school does the same as it’s such a wonderful idea.

I hope you and your dd have a lovely Christmas!

I understand why you would be embarrassed, but I would take them at their word and accept it.

Thanks everyone. You've all made me feel so much better about it. The school have been great throughout the trouble with my daughter. So this is really a lovely gesture.

It will help as well as a little something for Christmas. I will get a thank you card for them.