forced to buy end of term presents

[loubes28]

I am effectively being forced to contribute to a computer for the pre-school by a bossy mum using emotional blackmail against me.What do I do?

[loubes28]

There doesn't seem to be a committee.Should there be?
Apparently a computer waas on the wish list.I agree that it would have been better to get one donated or go to freecycle,but it has already been bought.
The sportsday was abit of a washout-not many of us hung about and the photo was done at the very end-so I wasn't too bothered.
I am not going to the end of term party where it will be presented.I will however give booktokens as I think they are more usefull.
Luckily none of my son's friends have contributed so none of them will be on the mousemat-£5.99 if anyone wants one!!!!

[AttilaTheMum]

Is she sure the pre-school actually wants a computer....

[Bouquetsofdynomite]

Well done for squealing, if she's on the comittee too they'd be able to discuss it at a meeting and clarify what fundraising methods are acceptable.
Are we not always telling our kids to tell a teacher if they are being bullied?

[loubes28]

My older child is now sick and I just can't be bothered to get involved with the end of term present/sports day/put the kids in front of the parents for yet another show kind of rubbish(would the parents get up and put on a show for a room full of giants with camcorders?).
I have communicated my unease with the whole thing to one of the teachers-even though the woman has said not to tell the pre-school anything about it as it would spoil the surprise-who was shocked and agreed with me.By telling us not to tell anyone she is effectively isolating and disempowering us.Is this woman a control freak or what?
If it were my pre-school I'd want to know what nutty mothers were up to-I'm going to suggest the teacher tells her.
I'm not the only disgruntled mother-there are at least 6 of us but we don't know what the rest of them think.
Also the mother went up to one of my friends and asked her for the money-my friend said she hadn't decided if she would contribute or not.
has anyone come across anything like this before-I certainly haven't

[loubes28]

my son uses the computer at home very competantly.I prefer him to learn other skills at pre-school.

[hana]

why wouldn't you be comfortable with your son on a computer?

[Oblomov]

I wasn't comfortable with ds on a compueter at first. But it seems to be the norm. He can paint a picture and save it to his own file !!!! and he is only 3.5. I don't let him on our home computer though.

[Oblomov]

Dob her in to your teacher. You don't want your child to be excluded. Horrible woman. I do like the computer idea though. Alot of nurseries have them.

[throckenholt]

I can't see any real need for a computer for pre-schoolers - playdo, climbing frames, paint and glue are much more useful.

[tatt]

tell her to get the computer from freecycle or ask if the local school will pass on an old one.

[BBBee]

that woman is a bossy bitch - she is doing something kind I give you that but going baout it in a bossy and inconsiderate way.

Don't give and don't givew an excuse.

[XcupcakemummyX]

opps is she a teacher too

[XcupcakemummyX]

giving is giving demanding is something different
why dont you offer to help the teachers on the sports day

[hatwoman]

the woman organising this sounds hideous. tactless, thoughtless, bossy, domineering. not very helpful of me, I know - but just wanted to empathise.

[maisym]

wouldn't want to contribute to this!! - wonder how many people are going to stare at the mouse mat and actually know it's photos of those who were bullied into contributing!

[TheDuchessOfNorks]

Ofsted likes to see computers in pre-schools so the children can learn very basic skills like how to click the mouse and move the cursor about. They don't expect ALL pre-schools to buy them though - we were donated a 2nd hand iMac which is perfect because of the one button mouse.

Your fundraising woman sounds appalling. Pre-schools are a community service and shouldn't 'exclude' anyone on a financial basis.

Is she hoping that the very public taking-of-the-photograph will shame those that didn't contribute? If so I'd be very tempted to cuddle my child whilst the photo is being taken, and saying loudly 'I'm sorry I can't afford for you to be in the school photograph Little Loubes28'.

[loubes28]

I have completely ignored the woman as if I hadn't received a letter.If asked I'll say I've already got booktokens.It's Sportsday that worries me-really sportsday for 2 to 3 year old?It's ridiculous

[loubes28]

anyone know about the legality of non-voluntary contributions?

[elasticbandstand]

excluded from photo sounds really realy crappy

[elasticbandstand]

cant you just forget to give..?

[loubes28]

Thanks for a good idea,Cupcakemum:a camera will be very useful.
By the way how many pre-schools have computers for the kids to use?My view is they are better off with sand and water.

[XcupcakemummyX]

she seems a real hard case
have your camera at the ready on the day and simply take some pictures for your child to look at and remember her friends by

[loubes28]

The blackmailis this-your kid doesn't get included on the picture to be made into a mouse mat if you have not contributed.The photo is being taken on sports day.How do you exclude kids from a photo?
I don't want to contribute because a)I haven't been included in the decision making or asked verbally and b)I object to the use of emotional blackmail.
I shall be making a gift of my own.
The mother is also selling the mouse mats!!!