By: Karen Thompson
Updated: Jan. 19, 2016
Originally Published: Aug. 19, 2014
Dear Enthusiastic Room Moms,
I once longed to embody your spirit—so organized, sending out essential emails well in advance, crafting adorable gifts for teachers, and orchestrating unforgettable class parties that would be the envy of all 3rd-grade gatherings. Then I became a Room Mom, and, well, let’s just say that dream fizzled out fast.
If you wish to go above and beyond with your creativity, by all means, do! If you want to serenade the teacher with a customized version of the 12 Days of Christmas while gifting her 12 unique items, and none of it requires my effort, go ahead. I am officially over the competition of who can give the “best” gift. But seriously, when did we reach this level of expectation?
Why am I receiving craft tasks to complete at home for an end-of-the-year teacher gift? Isn’t that the Room Mom’s duty? I firmly believe in showing teachers just how much we appreciate their hard work. Teaching is often a thankless profession, and it’s essential we acknowledge their contributions. However, I believe our gifts should reflect our admiration for them, not for our own creativity.
Class gifts seem to have morphed into contests of who can be the most inventive rather than focusing on what could genuinely enhance the teacher’s experience or make their life easier. Let’s face it, no one is going to win an award for the “Most Creative Room Mom Gift.” I want to provide something the teacher will truly appreciate—not something that gets tossed in a closet or, worse, the trash, the moment the last bell rings.
Four Straightforward Room Mom Guidelines
- No Pinterest Access: Room Moms should refrain from using Pinterest during their term.
- Avoid Extra Tasks: Room Moms must not assign parents any additional projects that could burden their already busy schedules.
- Gift Selection: Room Moms should choose gifts that will genuinely brighten the teacher’s day by employing one of two methods:
- Wish List: Similar to a bridal registry, let the teacher compile a list of desired items at the start of the year. Collect contributions and select gifts from this list, ensuring the teacher is delighted.
- Survey: Have the teacher fill out a fun survey, akin to those viral quizzes on social media. Gather the results, collect funds, and voila! The teacher will be overjoyed.
- Online Fundraising: Use a dedicated Room Mom website to collect funds for the class gift. Share the link with parents, allowing them to contribute any amount anonymously, much like a Kickstarter campaign. This eliminates the need for physical envelopes and makes the process seamless. Once fundraising is complete, use the gathered funds to purchase from the wish list or survey results.
This sounds like a solid plan, right? In fact, it’s so appealing that I might just volunteer to be the Room Mom next year!
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In summary, being a Room Mom doesn’t have to be a daunting task filled with pressure to outdo one another. By following these simple guidelines, we can ensure our efforts are focused on what truly matters: showing appreciation for our teachers in a meaningful and practical way.
Keyphrase: Room Mom Guidelines
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