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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be frustrated with the school about the Easter egg situation?

279 replies

FrustratedMum2025 · 03/04/2025 19:35

So, the school sent home a note last week about the “Easter egg raffle” they’re doing, asking for donations of Easter eggs for the kids to win as prizes. Fair enough, I thought, seems like a nice thing to do.

But here’s the issue: they want each child to donate an Easter egg by tomorrow. Fine, except… my children have been having Easter eggs since early March because, well, they’re kids. The idea of giving yet another egg just seems so unnecessary to me. I’m already drowning in chocolate from my own absolutely brilliant planning of Easter, and I’m not sure I want to add to the pile just for the school raffle. Plus, when I mentioned it to a few other parents, it turns out they all feel the same!

It feels like they just don’t get it. I already pay for everything (I’m talking school trips, PTA fundraisers, fancy dress days, the whole shebang) and now it’s Easter eggs as well? I’m all for supporting the school, but they never ask for things in a way that’s actually affordable or considerate of family budgets. AIBU to feel like this is just another example of unnecessary school demands?

Also, they’ve made it clear that if you don’t donate, your child might not get to participate in the raffle. I get the whole “voluntary contribution” thing, but when it’s linked to something like this, it just feels a bit much. Honestly, I can’t be the only one who thinks this is all a bit tone-deaf.

Am I being unreasonable or is it just another case of the school not understanding how much we’re all juggling at the moment?

TL;DR: AIBU to be frustrated that the school expects us to donate an Easter egg on top of everything else, and if we don’t, our kids miss out on the raffle?

OP posts:
TryForSpring · 03/04/2025 19:49

FrustratedMum2025 · 03/04/2025 19:47

I guess I should’ve clarified better, it’s not really about the cost of one egg, more that it’s another thing on top of everything else that’s been asked of us recently. I totally get that it’s not a huge amount, but when you add it all together, it feels like the school’s just adding more “optional” things that really aren’t all that optional when you have to contribute to everything. It just all builds up!

As for the raffle idea, I don’t mind the concept, I just don’t want my kid to feel left out or like they’re missing out because we didn’t donate. I can’t help but feel that if I don’t give, they’ll end up on the sidelines. The whole thing feels like a little more pressure than it should be, you know?

Give your kids one less egg in March/April. Give that egg to the school.

TheHateIsNotGood · 03/04/2025 19:50

Easter isn't until the 20th April ffs, no one, not even kids should be drowning in Easter eggs already.

Overthebow · 03/04/2025 19:51

FrustratedMum2025 · 03/04/2025 19:47

I guess I should’ve clarified better, it’s not really about the cost of one egg, more that it’s another thing on top of everything else that’s been asked of us recently. I totally get that it’s not a huge amount, but when you add it all together, it feels like the school’s just adding more “optional” things that really aren’t all that optional when you have to contribute to everything. It just all builds up!

As for the raffle idea, I don’t mind the concept, I just don’t want my kid to feel left out or like they’re missing out because we didn’t donate. I can’t help but feel that if I don’t give, they’ll end up on the sidelines. The whole thing feels like a little more pressure than it should be, you know?

It really isn’t pressure. Buy an egg and take it in, very simple. Or don’t if you don’t want to.

MissyB1 · 03/04/2025 19:51

FrustratedMum2025 · 03/04/2025 19:47

I guess I should’ve clarified better, it’s not really about the cost of one egg, more that it’s another thing on top of everything else that’s been asked of us recently. I totally get that it’s not a huge amount, but when you add it all together, it feels like the school’s just adding more “optional” things that really aren’t all that optional when you have to contribute to everything. It just all builds up!

As for the raffle idea, I don’t mind the concept, I just don’t want my kid to feel left out or like they’re missing out because we didn’t donate. I can’t help but feel that if I don’t give, they’ll end up on the sidelines. The whole thing feels like a little more pressure than it should be, you know?

But you've been feeding them Easter eggs for a month! Do they need any more? And you can clearly afford it because you had no trouble buying all those eggs they've already eaten.

Crunchymum · 03/04/2025 19:51

Another one who is totally perplexed as to what your issue is!

You don't want to donate, but are drowning in chocolate at home?

You don't want your kids to have any more eggs, but they've been shovelling down Easter Eggs for a month already?

If you don't donate your kids won't (or might not) get an egg that you don't want them to have? How an Earth are the school policing a raffle where only those who donated win a prize???

DuskyPink1984 · 03/04/2025 19:53

Are you the Bad Easter Bunny?

MissyB1 · 03/04/2025 19:54

Honestly I know how I'm going to sound but when I was a kid it was two Easter eggs only to be eaten after church on Easter Sunday morning. And I've done the same with my kids. Oh and sometimes the priest hands out a creme egg as they come out of church.

Sirzy · 03/04/2025 19:55

If not enough children take them in then of course some children won’t be able to get one. School will provide a certain amount of extras for those who can’t provide one but if you can send one in and let them join the fun.

TesterP0t · 03/04/2025 19:55

My kids only had Easter eggs on Easter Sunday. One from us and grandparents plus a few small ones hidden in the garden .

When did kids start having them all March?😱

The cost and gluttony is so unnecessary. Completely spoils the fun of Easter too.

Hoppinggreen · 03/04/2025 19:55

Wishboneswishes · 03/04/2025 19:44

I’m struggling to understand why your kids have been having Easter eggs since March?
Do you not buy them and/or keep them until it’s actually Easter - like Easter Sunday? Makes the event more special/meaningful surely?

Is it just me?

I am pretty relaxed about my DC eating chocolate but I agree Easter Eggs from Easter Sunday onwards only

MuggleMe · 03/04/2025 19:56

Ours did a hunt and a cheap egg at the end, pay I think £4 (with tickets gifted for those who couldn't afford). Opt in.

I don't see why they need so many eggs for the raffle, surely it's fine to do say 5/30 and the rest get a bag of haribo.

Acc0untant · 03/04/2025 19:59

So don't partake? Your kids have been having eggs all through March so they'll understand they don't need to participate because they have/will have plenty of Easter eggs already, surely?

It's optional. Your kids won't be disadvantaged by not winning another egg in the raffle.

EquinoxQueen · 03/04/2025 20:05

Are you in the PTA? Do you get involved? Have you fed this back?

the way I have read it is that the school are tone deaf, you can afford to but don’t want to participate but you don’t want you child to miss out either. So who do you think should pay?

get on the PTA and organise something yourself and be on the receiving end of the endless moaning and complaints. They can’t do right, so you will find that they are likely to step back at some point and there will be moaning that nothing happens.

Seawolves · 03/04/2025 20:05

Isn't the bigger issue that more and more fundraising is needed by PTAs across the land to fund things in schools?

C152 · 03/04/2025 20:05

It's not unreasonable to be annoyed that schools keep asking parents for absolutely everything, especially when those things aren't necessary for an education. I don't understand the raffle concept here. If everyone is being asked to donate, does that mean every child gets an egg or that one kid wins a mountain of chocolate? Either way, it's a nice to have rather than necessary. It would be better if they taught kids how to make their own decorative eggs as part of art or science. Then they'd learn something they may not have known and have something nice to keep.

Tbrh · 03/04/2025 20:06

Just do it and stop complaining. All of these little things add up to be nice memories for the children, including your DC. Be glad that the teachers at your school are going the extra mile

Tulipsonthetable · 03/04/2025 20:07

It’s not pressure though. I work in a school and we have recently asked for donations. No-one keeps tabs on who has or hasn’t given to school.
i see a contribution as a bonus, not a given and am always grateful.

LegoTherapy · 03/04/2025 20:07

Our school do an Easter egg raffle with HUGE hampers for a handful of children to win. I’m talking 6 Easter eggs plus things like creme eggs in one basket. No one child needs that many Easter eggs and I love chocolate. I think they’d be better doing more prizes of one Easter egg.

YourGreyCat · 03/04/2025 20:08

It's sounds like your feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the demands. It can feel like a lot sometimes. Fancy dress, world book day, mufti days, thank you presents for teachers, school trips etc etc. it's seems like a nice idea but there's a parent putting in all the work behind it all and on a crappy day, going out to the shop to buy a stupid f*ing easter egg can just tip you over the edge.

TheJollyMoose · 03/04/2025 20:08

YABU and just looking for something to complain about.

Why have your kids been eating Easter eggs since March when Easter isn’t until nearly the end of April?

HearYouKnocking · 03/04/2025 20:09

School requests can feel relentless, but giving children Easter eggs from the start of March also sounds ridiculous. They're for Easter Sunday!

REDB99 · 03/04/2025 20:09

ATuinTheGreat · 03/04/2025 19:42

Kids don’t eat Easter eggs all through March because “they’re kids” - they have done it because you’ve given them to them to eat. They’re supposed to be for Easter Sunday, so no wonder they won’t feel special or excited to be having one then.

This! No Easter Eggs until Easter Sunday! I’m genuinely surprised that parents are letting their kids eat eggs before then! Maybe the odd crème egg or bag of mini eggs but an actual Easter Egg? I agree that no wonder they’re not excited. My DD would be really excited to get an Easter egg at school because she hasn’t had one yet and is waiting to see which one the Easter Bunny will bring her.

TY78910 · 03/04/2025 20:09

FrustratedMum2025 · 03/04/2025 19:47

I guess I should’ve clarified better, it’s not really about the cost of one egg, more that it’s another thing on top of everything else that’s been asked of us recently. I totally get that it’s not a huge amount, but when you add it all together, it feels like the school’s just adding more “optional” things that really aren’t all that optional when you have to contribute to everything. It just all builds up!

As for the raffle idea, I don’t mind the concept, I just don’t want my kid to feel left out or like they’re missing out because we didn’t donate. I can’t help but feel that if I don’t give, they’ll end up on the sidelines. The whole thing feels like a little more pressure than it should be, you know?

Well they’re damned if they do, they’re damned if they don’t.

just last week there was a post where OP felt the school didn’t do anything for Mother’s Day.

There will always be a number of ‘holidays’ that the school needs to acknowledge, but won’t be wasting their budget on. In DDs school, the PTA just outright ask to buy ‘tickets’ for all of those events though, not supply your own prizes (that bit seems a little backwards to me - you’re effectively giving in an egg to give back to your kid).

Schools are expected not just to teach our kids, but also to engage in the local community and that’s why you see all these extra activities and coffee mornings and play sessions etc

anothermnuser123 · 03/04/2025 20:09

Im a little confused, if you are drowning in chocolate then surely you donate some of that?

And does anyone just start buying and eating easter eggs a month before easter? I didn't realise this was a thing, when mine were growing up they might have had the odd creme egg or egg and spoon but didn't get easter eggs until easter.

I understand the general consensus that schools seem to want a constant stream of things, sometimes to the point that its excessive but a £1 easter egg when you say you have an excess of chocolate makes no sense, just donate some and it is surely a win win, remove some chocolate and you have donated. Or am I misunderstanding?

Flutterbyby · 03/04/2025 20:10

Fine, except… my children have been having Easter eggs since early March because, well, they’re kids

Er, what the fuck?