We're having a cookie bake off at work today, and I'm going to vote for myself for #1 cookie even though I think I like someone else's better this year 😎 I've won the last two years, can't break my streak!
I didn't do anything for Vday for MH or DD (I put a cookie in her lunch and she doesn't usually get to eat cookies), the middle school students just delivered red roses to my classroom from DD and baby#2 who we call fish currently. So I guess I'm the bad spouse, but we don't usually do anything for Vday.
I'm the only married employee in my office besides my boss. I specifically told my husband to get me a pregnancy pillow instead of flowers or anything delivered to work. I didn't want that attention.
I also may or may not have eaten a box of chocolates over the course of the week "for the LO" since he will be the only of our kids that doesn't get a valentine from us this year.
It's dumb for adults to buy Valentine's Day gifts for adults who are not their spouse or partner.
Subtext: I think the growing "expectation" for parents to buy their kids' teachers Valentine's Day gifts (I'm talking gifts, not just candy, candy is whatever) is absurd.
(Note, I'm not saying teachers have created this expectation, they have not. Other parents have.)
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
@jhysmath Oh I'm sure it applies more to daycare/elementary school. But I've seen posts all over the parenting facebook groups I'm in. One woman said she had to get gifts for 10 people! Even at $5/each that's $50. No thanks. That is not in my budget.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
For our daycare teachers, the girls took the same valentines that they were taking their friends/classmates. We didn't do any candy with the valentines, just the little foldy ones from the store. We sent little Christmas gifts of lip balm and hot cocoa mixes for their teachers, and will do something small for Teacher Appreciation week/day. One thing I didn't expect with DD1 starting Pre-k was how many people take the teachers gifts on the first day of school..
I had the strength to wave at MH from the hospital window for the first time since being admitted. Still cried afterwards and I'm still tearing up thinking about it. But because I've lost track of time, I only found out here it's Valentine's Day, so I guess we did share a special moment
@catem07 I guess my FFFC then is that I'm dumb since we did get gifts for the daycare teachers this year. A $5 box of chocolates, a card with a note saying "I'm lucky to have you as my teacher" and a scratch off ticket so about $20 per teacher. I also only got DH a scratch off ticket and told him the only thing I want is some 1/2 price Reese's tomorrow because they're my guilty pleasure at work I eat a few every day after lunch. But also I think I've mentioned before I love spoiling people and this just goes along with that. We have the means so I like to spread the wealth.
@bananapanda bigger picture, I just wish parents (mostly moms) didn't feel like they had to do what "everyone else" does. This kind of stuff causes a lot of stress for some people but so many seem unable to "buck the system" so to speak. If it doesn't cause you stress but gives you joy, that's cool!
I really just need to spend less time in mom facebook groups.
DD #1: April 2017 DD #2: May 2020 Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
@catem07 oh I definitely agree with that! I always feel inadequate when I start comparing myself to the "perfect moms" in mom groups. We bought some cheap Walmart Valentine's for DD's class with these really cheap crappy monster trucks on them that don't even work like they're supposed to. I started stressing and almost tried to find the time to make/buy something else but then I remembered they're 2 and my daughter actually enjoyed playing with them no matter how crappy they seemed so I sent them anyway haha. And the chocolate and scratch offs took almost zero effort on my part otherwise I wouldn't have had the energy and would've skipped it all together.
I don't think my youngest has eaten anything besides Valentine's candy/cookie and those "veggie straws" snacks in two days. Not sure I care. OK, I don't.
My preschooler has a 5 day weekend, which means several more hours of hands on parenting. And it's bitter cold here today, not that I can take them outside anyway.
We definitely just did the kid card for his teachers, and ours had temporary tattoos with them, but I think 90% of the ones received were candy, lol.
_______________________________________________
Me: 33 DH: 32 Married 7/18/15 1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16 Team green turned BLUE! 2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18 Team green turned PINK! Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
Also, valentines boxes? Why and when did they get so elaborate?? I'm super grateful that DD1's class did them as a class project, but my newsfeed is full of other moms making these intense, awesome pinterest worthy boxes and I 100% am not capable. I will usually scroll pinterest and find something that looks like I won't be able to mess it up, spend days trying my absolute hardest to make it, then DH saves the day and fixes it the night before and doesn't take credit for helping. LOL
Ohhh @TattoosandLace we had to do the Valentine's boxes at home as "family homework"! I seriously don't remember doing that as a kid once, we had little like mail slots we decorated and put on our desks but that was it. My FFFC my kid said my career day was the best out of all the parents and the state troopers and his friends said that too and now I am a little smug about the fact that the 40 kindergarteners all love me.
@catem07 Lol. I'm guessing that's the card companies pushing gifts for teachers. As a teacher, I think that's weird. I'm a high school teacher so I guess I don't know how it really goes in those younger grades. Honestly, most teachers probably don't want that $5 gift anyways.
@bananapanda I would love a scratch off ticket as a gift! It says "We know you love teaching, but if you hit the jackpot we understand why you quit." We sent cheap jumbo pens I got from Walmart with DDs Valentine's. As a parent, I appreciate the non-candy stuff DD was sent home with.
Late but my FFFC is that I've reached the point in my pregnancy that IDGAF. In yesterday's department meeting I wore legging, a jacket, socks & slides (our department's dress code is casual/athletic and I'm taking full advantage of it). I was also sat in the back with my legs reclined on another table-- only position that I could be comfortable for 3 hours. Last night, DH & I went to the movies and I didn't wear a bra. My sweater was my bra. I'm officially putting comfort over appearance.
Here’s mine today- I live in a small house. 3 bedrooms 1800 sq ft. I am so overwhelmed by the amount of cleaning that needs done I don’t even know where to start. And it’s week after week after week never ending. And when I complain about it or ask my husband for help, he sarcastically says “oh yeah because we live in such a dirty shithole” (aka he doesn’t think it needs cleaned) or he makes it worse (taking 2 days to fold/put away one load of laundry, leaving 2 kitchen towels, all the rags, a comforter, 7 unmatched socks and DS2s pajamas spread out over the couch... but the ONE load is “done”). I’m at the point where DH took DS out to lunch so I have a minute to clean up alone and I am so overwhelmed that I just want to sit in the chair and cry.
@JStill0603 girl I feel you, we live in a 3 bedroom and it's like 1200 sq ft and I feel like it is so messy all the time, DF does not agree with me on this and thus is a POS about cleaning until I lose my shit.
As we watch the cold open of The Office for the 30th time in a row, where they lip dub, "Nobody but Me," I realize my two year can name The Office characters, but still can't sing his ABC'S. This is my FFC, I feel like we did a much better job with educational stuff with my 5 year old, than we have my 2 year old so far.
To clarify, it's my 5 and 2 year olds who have wanted to watch this particular part so many times.
Re: FFFC - 2/14
FTM
BFP: 9/5/19 ~ EDD 5/15/20
I also may or may not have eaten a box of chocolates over the course of the week "for the LO" since he will be the only of our kids that doesn't get a valentine from us this year.
Subtext: I think the growing "expectation" for parents to buy their kids' teachers Valentine's Day gifts (I'm talking gifts, not just candy, candy is whatever) is absurd.
(Note, I'm not saying teachers have created this expectation, they have not. Other parents have.)
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
As a teacher I have not heard of this tradition. Though I teach high school and we don't receive gifts any time of year really.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
Yeah big no on that. Though I'm not very big on gifts at all and hate getting unuseful things myself.
We sent little Christmas gifts of lip balm and hot cocoa mixes for their teachers, and will do something small for Teacher Appreciation week/day. One thing I didn't expect with DD1 starting Pre-k was how many people take the teachers gifts on the first day of school..
I really just need to spend less time in mom facebook groups.
DD #2: May 2020
Baby #3: EDD May 2023; MC October 2022
My preschooler has a 5 day weekend, which means several more hours of hands on parenting. And it's bitter cold here today, not that I can take them outside anyway.
We definitely just did the kid card for his teachers, and ours had temporary tattoos with them, but I think 90% of the ones received were candy, lol.
DH: 32
Married 7/18/15
1st born at 35+4 on 6/6/16
Team green turned BLUE!
2nd born at 38+6 on 8/30/18
Team green turned PINK!
Due with #3 on 6/6/20 Team Green
My FFFC my kid said my career day was the best out of all the parents and the state troopers and his friends said that too and now I am a little smug about the fact that the 40 kindergarteners all love me.
@bananapanda I would love a scratch off ticket as a gift! It says "We know you love teaching, but if you hit the jackpot we understand why you quit." We sent cheap jumbo pens I got from Walmart with DDs Valentine's. As a parent, I appreciate the non-candy stuff DD was sent home with.
FTM
BFP 08/25/19, EDD 05/04/20
To clarify, it's my 5 and 2 year olds who have wanted to watch this particular part so many times.