To buy flowers for teacher at parents evening

[thesurreymum]

We have parents evening and I thought I would buy each of my DCs teacher a bunch of flowers. Just to say I appreciate all that they do, nothing fancy. Is it weird, will it look like I'm trying to get brownie points?

I’m a teacher and I’d say it would be so appreciated. Not even the actual flowers, but just the fact you’ve sent a token gesture to say you’re on side with them. I wouldn’t do it at parents evening though. I’d either send them on a random day or before a holiday/long weekend

But when would you give them?!

If you give them at the start, how awkward for the teacher, especially if they have challenging comments to make!

If it's at the end, will you not be like a magician, with a 'ta da' moment? What if you're a bit upset at any comments or feedback? And you've to hand over a bunch of flowers 😅

And how many teachers are you meeting, will you have an armful of bouquets throughout the evening.

And finally, won't it cost you a fortune? Even £5 per bunch will add up!

So no. Give them a tin of biscuits to share if you prefer.

At parents evening? Give over.

It's a primary school in which I have two children at hence more than one teacher.

Really? You'd like to come in one day & have a bunch of flowers from a parent.

I like thanks and appreciation as much as anyone. I really like if someone takes the time to send me nice email for example (university teaching role). I'd feel so awkward if I got flowers in a professional context.

Ah ok

A bit better but still, no.

Just thank them. And give them each some chocolates at Easter.

I gave DD’s teacher flowers at parents evening when she had saved DD from choking by giving her the Heimlich manoeuvre earlier that week.

Otherwise, bit weird.

I’m a teacher, albeit secondary, but the best thing ever is a big box of biscuits in the staffroom! We like food.

I think it's fine if there's a specific reason - they've given up their time to give extra support maybe.

Otherwise it's too much. Just say thank you.

😅😅 don't do this

I think it is a lovely idea and would definitely be appreciated. We are always so afraid of being obviously kind and appreciative in this country. How can being kind be the wrong thing to do.

Nope. But next morning maybe send a note of appreciation.
In 40 years of teaching I've never known a parent take a gift for me or any of my colleagues on parents evening.
And the vast majority of teachers much prefer a note of thanks to any present.

Very cringe.

Exactly and always must be an ulterior motive. I just generally think that they do a great job.

Really sweet sentiment but as a teacher it’s too much. I would be mortified to get flowers at a parents’ evening! Maybe send a card in afterwards with your child. No gifts required. I used to put a Costa voucher in a card with a nice message.

I think this is a lovely idea ❤️

This is a really nice idea too, I think.

Just give them the flowers at the end of term, like everyone else.
It'll be just as kind then. But maybe not as noticeable?!

I think it’s a bit OTT for parents evening. You can always say thank you for everything you do and how much you appreciate it. And gifts or flowers are usually given at end of terms or the year.

Probably not your intention but could come across as massively attention seeking, a performance in front of all the other parents. I would show appreciation more discretely personally.

It's a nice thought OP., but i'm a teacher and iwould find this extremely embarrassing. If you want to express your thanks, why not send a box of biscuits gor staff to share and a thank you card? This will be appreciated

I think I'd appreciate your gesture but be quite embarrassed at the timing of it. I would an appreciative email or note the day after though.

A tin of biscuits or chocolates for the staff room or for the, for example, Year 4 team would lovely and would include TAs too.

Thanks for thinking of us educators though!

Being kind is fine.

Producing flowers at essentially a professional meeting is inappropriate.

I sent in a card & small box of chocolates after my youngest DC's p/t meeting. The teacher had given me extra time (inconveniencing herself) and made such an effort to discuss / resolve a certain issue. I wanted to thank her, the chocolates were a gesture.

At the meeting itself is just inappropriate.

That would be weird

Ex-teacher here. I wouldn't. Firstly because it's quite a public gift and one that's not easy to just put away out of sight. They have to put the flowers somewhere for the whole parents evening, there's often not space to store a bunch of flowers, and they possibly will need to wait for hours before getting them home and in water.

Lots of parents who come after you will make comments/"jokes" about it, about how they don't get presents at their job, about how it's not a bad life being a teacher, feel like they have to justify why they haven't got you anything.

Secondly, I really disliked receiving gifts specifically on parent's evening. When a parents evening meeting doesn't go well and it results in tension, a gift on the table between you just feels awkward, like its highlighting the change in mood. If you are going to get anything, get it another time e.g. at the end of year, Christmas, at the end of a half term etc.

Thirdly, I really and completely genuinely (I'm anonymous so would tell you if I'd rather have the gift) would prefer a card, especially handmade. Not just a generic "thanks" card that says "Dear Ms. Jones Love Sarah" but an actual thoughtful card with nice words in it, preferably from the child but if not possible then you. Include specifics about how the teacher has helped and things they've helped with, how much of an impact they've had etc. I stopped teaching years ago and have moved house several times but I keep those things and they still make me emotional.