Calling 1:1 TAs for opinions please

[Doubleraspberry]

My DC has a 1:1 TA who is amazing. They are sometimes very, very difficult to handle (meltdowns, including violence) but also very attached and affectionate towards her.

I know (small community) that her life outside school is also pretty full on, including just having taken on a major kinship care commitment. She works two jobs and can’t remember the last time she had a holiday.

I want to show my appreciation for her at the end of term and am lucky enough to have the resources to get her something relatively substantial. I was considering this box of relaxing toiletries but will she actually just look at it and laugh at the idea that she’d have time to use it? What might you think? And if this is off beam, any other ideas? Or is she likely to be embarrassed by the whole thing? Last year we had a similar situation and I bought posh chocolates but this caught my eye because it would be so lovely to think of her relaxing!

www.latestinbeauty.com/collections/balance-the-night-time-edit

Sorry, really cannot make the link clicky...

If you get her anything substantial write a thank you note as well as she will have to declare anything more than a token gift and the note will show the meaning behind it.

Good thinking, although I will of course be writing her a sincerely expressed Christmas card.

Although substantial may be slightly misleading as I probably mean in comparison to my contributions to class collections for the other teachers in my life.

A gift card - M&S or John Lewis- might well be more appreciated as she can then choose exactly what she would like. As a TA who gets inundated with smellies at Xmas/end of year (yes I'm grateful parents are buying me a gift but I really don't need or expect it) I would love a guilt free shopping trip.

If people think a gift voucher is the way to go, then I will fall in line. I always dislike the way a voucher has a face price on it though as it makes it really clear what you’ve spent and I wouldn’t want to embarrass her.

Yes I see what you mean but its almost impossible to know her preferences and you could end up spending money on something she'll never use. That's just my opinion though!

A card and note from you or your DC would be really appreciated - I have kept all that I have ever received and they are a lovely reminder of children I have worked with. They can also be a real tonic when you have had a difficult day!

My favourite present was a bright glasses case - it was chosen by one of the children because I was always mislaying mine and it means such a lot to me as it was obviously chosen personally. I still use it at school even though the child has now left.

I would avoid giving something like toiletries as they may not be to her taste, or she make be allergic to them. I have sensitive skin and eczema so can’t use a lot of stuff I get given as gifts.

The trouble is, toiletries are a very marmite option. Many people would love it but just as many people would hate it/be allergic to it. Vouchers are the best way to go for a safe bet but I understand why you want something a bit more personal. Does anybody you know, know her a bit better and could find out what she likes?

Yes, I know exactly what you mean. I guess I was just looking for inspiration/views on what someone who has that sort of dynamic would like to get! Our school usually does a class collection for teachers and TAs so they get vouchers that way.

I did get the last TA some little bits and pieces at the end of last year. A pen and T shirt that reminded her of DC’s favourite things.

Just to say that I asked one of her colleagues today for advice and she asked the TA’s husband! I am getting her a day pass for a local spa and he will then get her a treatment voucher, so it will all work well, and he will make sure she has time to use them both.

I'd love that gift !!!

Oh good. DC is being the most enormous pain at the moment so it makes me feel a bit better to know we have found a good way to say thank you.