Just wondering what people opinions are on school book fairs. My DD is in yr 1 and it is now her 4th book fair, (her school has one a term!!) and this term I haven't given her any money. She is absolutely fuming as there is only her and one other child who haven't been given any money. The cheapest book is 4 pound and most kids are given between 5 and 10 pound. She has bought a book at all the other fairs so this is the first one that I have said no to. They are taken round the book fairs with their teachers on both days and also encouraged to go with their parents after school. There are reminders and letters around the school and in book bags for weeks preceding. She was in tears last night and it took me till 930 to get her to sleep as i am a mean money and she so wants a book!! The other 3 she has bought were looked at a few times and then put on the shelf. These book fairs don't even sell books at discounted prices I know they are making money for the school but I can't justify 3.99 for a Poppy princess book when the same book is 75p in our local book discount store. The teacher was shocked that she has no money today as everyone else is buying one. I do know there is one other child that isn't buying one. All the teacher keeps saying is how important books are to children and I know that we go to the library every saturday and get 3 books and read them and take them back the next week. We also buy several books in our book discount store.
I just feel the peer pressure towards these things is immense it is like she is being bullied by the school to buy a book.
We did the shoebox appeal last week, money spent at their christmas fair, money for mufti days and ingredients bought for several recipes I just feel that these book fairs are just an excuse for more money!!!
She is going to be so upset again after school today and I feel like a terrible mummy but she cant have everything. So my question is do other mummies give into peer pressure and give money to their child for a book???