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AIBU?

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Original poster

To buy flowers for teacher at parents evening

156 replies

thesurreymum · 27/02/2024 21:31

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?

OP posts:
SoLuckyToHaveYou · 28/02/2024 10:16

It’s a nice idea. But you don’t know what the teacher is going to say. It would be far better to give them as an end of term thank you gift. Or, if you’re worried about the teacher going away and not being around to appreciate them, your child could bring them in a week earlier.

Aviee · 28/02/2024 10:36

I'm a teacher and wouldn't like this at all as it would be weird

Redmat · 28/02/2024 10:37

Bunch of daffodils on last day of term. I always appreciated that.

momonpurpose · 28/02/2024 11:13

There is a mom at my dd's school who does that kind of thing. It's cringe and even the teachers find it to be butt kissy.

Crazycrazylady · 28/02/2024 16:18

No please don't.. all seems a bit try hard like the kids who brings the apple to school for teacher.

PastTheGin · 28/02/2024 16:31

I have not read the full thread but I would say do it! It will really cheer the teachers up, I am a (secondary) teacher and I would be thrilled!

Foxesandsquirrels · 28/02/2024 17:02

PastTheGin · 28/02/2024 16:31

I have not read the full thread but I would say do it! It will really cheer the teachers up, I am a (secondary) teacher and I would be thrilled!

😂😂😂

AyrshireTryer · 28/02/2024 17:05

How lovely.

Luckycloverz · 28/02/2024 17:11

Sorry but no it does seem wrong timing for flowers. A big box of biscuits for the staff room would be more appropriate if you want everyone thanked.

foreverandalltime · 28/02/2024 17:28

Livelovebehappy · 28/02/2024 09:17

Jeez you’ll be the the talk of the school playground at pick ups if you do this.

I'm so confused by post like this. Who would even know if she gave flowers to the teacher?!

I have given flowers to staff (and received them as a member of staff) and literally nobody knew I'd handed flowers over.

It's completely alien to me that parents would be bitchy about it or have their children made fun of because of it.

Maybe my school is an anomaly but it's really common to have kids and parents to send random thank you tokens in at various points. Nobody bats an eyelid.

Seashor · 28/02/2024 17:32

It’s not weird, it’s really lovely and will be VERY appreciated. I always buy my children’s teachers wine at parents evening. They work bloody hard and I want to thank them.

TinyYellow · 28/02/2024 17:35

It’s a lovely idea that would be very much appreciated. I’d love it if parents brought a packet of biscuits or something just to show they appreciate that we’re working all evening so we can talk about their children. Ignore the miserable people that think it’s weird to show appreciation.

SerenityNowInsanityLater · 28/02/2024 17:36

Really awkward to do this if, like most schools, the meetings are held in the school hall (where loads of parents are present) and the timer is set to 10 minutes. But if it's in the privacy of the classroom, how lovely. Do it!

AuntMarch · 28/02/2024 17:36

If it was an early appointment I'd maybe give them a pack of biscuits to help them through the evening.. but he is in reception and I used to work in a feeder nursery to the school, so I was on "hello and a bit of small talk" terms with them before he went anyway and they know I understand the pain of parents evenings.

Livelovebehappy · 28/02/2024 19:23

foreverandalltime · 28/02/2024 17:28

I'm so confused by post like this. Who would even know if she gave flowers to the teacher?!

I have given flowers to staff (and received them as a member of staff) and literally nobody knew I'd handed flowers over.

It's completely alien to me that parents would be bitchy about it or have their children made fun of because of it.

Maybe my school is an anomaly but it's really common to have kids and parents to send random thank you tokens in at various points. Nobody bats an eyelid.

Show quote history

As upthread, if the flowers are given end of term, Easter etc, then fine. But parents evening, there are loads of parents around obviously going in and out, and it would be very odd to see a parent give flowers, and in the context of a parents evening could be seen as a bit too much. I’ve been to many many parents evenings (some are held in a hall where parents are sat in long lines waiting), and have never seen a parent bearing gifts.

NancyJoan · 28/02/2024 19:26

Maybe take in a box of biscuit for the staff room-‘thanks for staying late this week’ note. Keep the flowers for the end of term.

Maddy70 · 28/02/2024 22:04

ElliottFromScrubs · 28/02/2024 00:03

In my kids’ primary school, parents’ evening lasts till like 6.30pm. My relatives and friends who are secondary teachers might be there till 8pm but they get a break before it starts to get food etc.

I mean it’s hardly a midnight shift…

Show quote history

How to to tell you've never been a teacher

NewName24 · 28/02/2024 22:09

I'm so confused by post like this. Who would even know if she gave flowers to the teacher?!

All the dozens upon dozens of people in the hall when you walk in and when you give them to her maybe ??

VioletMountainHare · 28/02/2024 22:29

At parents’ evening just telling the teachers that you appreciate what they are doing for your children will make them feel good. It’s always nice to feel you’re doing a good job.

Could your children take the flowers in just before Easter. Children are usually really excited to give gifts to their teacher and a lot of the joy in receiving a gift is the exchange with the child when they hand it over, especially if they’ve picked it out themselves.

clpsmum · 28/02/2024 22:31

Notfeelinghunkydory · 27/02/2024 21:32

Don't do it. You'll look like a right arselicker!

😂😂 this

saveforthat · 28/02/2024 22:32

I think it's strange that some people (e.g. teachers) get presents for doing their job.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 28/02/2024 22:39

In my kids’ primary school, parents’ evening lasts till like 6.30pm. My relatives and friends who are secondary teachers might be there till 8pm but they get a break before it starts to get food etc.

I mean it’s hardly a midnight shift…

It's a pretty long day. I had one yesterday. In school from 8am to 7:30 pm. Full teaching day, and yes, a 'break' between 3:30 and 5pm (during which I marked and planned lessons while eating a sandwich), then parents' evening from 5-7:30. 35 4-minute appointments with only one 4-minute gap. Lucky I didn't need the loo at any point.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 28/02/2024 22:41

I think it's strange that some people (e.g. teachers) get presents for doing their job.

I think it's strange to think it's strange if someone chooses to get a gift for someone they feel has gone above and beyond for their child. Nobody should feel the need to buy gifts for a teacher unless they actively want to. We don't expect gifts, you know.

AllProperTeaIsTheft · 28/02/2024 22:43

I'm so confused by post like this. Who would even know if she gave flowers to the teacher?!

Do you think the school will be empty apart from the OP and the teacher? There will be other parents coming and going.

foreverandalltime · 29/02/2024 17:22

NewName24 · 28/02/2024 22:09

I'm so confused by post like this. Who would even know if she gave flowers to the teacher?!

All the dozens upon dozens of people in the hall when you walk in and when you give them to her maybe ??

Put them in a larger plastic bag and subtlety hand then over. No need for big gestures.