I was NEVER popular in school..elementary OR High school..so while I did recieve a few cards or gifts from secret followers who I knew who they were, I was not awash in admiration.
No biggie. My mom and I always spoiled each other with chocolates and sucky cards and that was that.
When there were boyfriends (SNORT) present, we dutifully did the ‘romance’ thing….and that was it.
Pat and I have tried to downplay the hallmark holiday and avoid overpriced meals and force grown roses.
But now we have kids.
Kids in school.
Kids who come home with CLASS LISTS so we can ensure that ALL kids get cards and that no little heart is crushed by their burgeoning unpopularity.
For Adam in Grade One…he has a little bag taped to his desk where people are supposed to ‘deliver’ all these cards..the majority being those cheap dollar store class ones.
Even his teachers have their own bags…..???
So him and I made 20 little lollipop cards and he distributed them around the bags. We did it today because tomorrow….on top of having to wear pink or red for ‘that special day,’ they also are having a Valentines PARTY in which we were told to bring snacks for.
OH and don’t forget their library cards as they have a FIELD TRIP TOO!!!
Sigh….
My daughters Preschool has two classes of twenty. Being that the classes merge and play together, you sort of feel obligated to have gifts for all…but that is over 40 children.
Ah no.
Not this mom…not this year.
And here is my question to you all and to the teachers and schools out there.
WHY?
WHY DO THIS?
WHY MAKE A FUSS OVER A TOTALLY FAKE AND FALSE HOLIDAY?
If you want to do something….have the kids make Valentines for their folks and that is it.
That is what we did. That was it.
I certainly don’t recall my classroom being festooned in hearts and sucky pink decorations like my son’s classroom currently is.
Why buy into a commercial holiday with no real cultural or religous significance for anyone?
Is it just to stick it to the parents? I really think that is the reason.
We got Valentines for my daughter’s teachers, and she drew pictures of each of her teachers on the cards. It was fun, it was enough.
There are 30 kids in my daughter’s school. They’re preschoolers, they can’t even read them, you know? It would be me addressing the darned things, and the other parents recycling them. It’s the environmentally responsible choice not to give out that many Valentines. 😉
I’m with Amber and you. Let’s have a GREEN valentines! But I will admit we do like giving cards of any kind to old aunties and neighbours.
mo-wos last blog post..Love is…
I wonder if that’s why some of us enjoy blogging so much. We were ignored in high school and never part of the “in” crowd, where as online, we can say what we want, how we want, and people actually RESPOND, as if they like us. Hmmm. Makes ya wonder, heh?
CJs last blog post..Something Borrowed
Yes it has become an interesting tradition…we exchanged cards with friends..but the most fun was making the cards for our parents…my girls like your children would decorate envelopes I don’t know where they kept them, but yes they would be filled with cards from other classmates….it does seem like an odd tradition…
I am not a fan of Valentines…never have been…actually until you made this post I did’t realize that Valentine’s was tomorrow. I send treats and cards to my children…just because they mean the world to me..and it’s just a little something…the cards are cards I make…as for my hubby and I…no plans and we never have…well I shouldn’t say no plans…to do plan on making a nice dinner for the two of us tomorrow..and share some wine..but that is it…
Hope you are keeping well…
Cheers..
SmalltownRNs last blog post..Something to Celebrate
I totally agree with you….overrated. My older daughter skated in the morning, handed out Valentines, and then had a party (which, like yourself, I contributed to).
As for hubby and myself…a trip to the library for a video for the girls, and to the grocery store for our dinner. Romance- parental style.
Michelles last blog post..Saving the best