This daycare is asking parents to do some extra work on Valentine’s Day, and one mom is asking why.
Valentine’s Day Pressure
While Valentine’s Day can be romantic, but it can also be the source of some major unnecessary stress. While it would be nice to think that it’s just a day to let people know that you love them, it often becomes a parade of empty, expensive gestures that you’ve been tricked into buying.
An Odd Request
One mom received a request from her infant’s daycare center that seemed… a little odd. Despite every kid being under the age of 1-year-old, the daycare staff was requesting that parents bring in Valentine’s cards for every kid.
Are They For Real?
It took this mom aback for sure.
Truthfully, my husband was the first to notice.
“Did you see this? You have to bring in Valentine’s cards for the whole class.”
I looked at him, puzzled.
“Firstly: What? Aren’t the kids all under 1? Secondly, oh I have to do it? Why don’t you do it? You noticed it.”
He rolled his eyes because we both know I’m gonna freakin’ be the one to do it.
Generic
According to the request, they were “instructed to give generic, unaddressed cards to make it ‘easier’ on the staff.”
Babies Will Not Know The Difference
While it may have been a nice thought, it was a seriously odd request.
I need to reiterate: MY KID ISN’T EVEN A YEAR OLD YET. And neither are the kids in his room. So why, pray tell, must I get them cards they can’t read?
Extra Work For Parents
This mom explained that working parents just do not have extra time for stuff like this. For older children, it makes sense as a project they can do together, but for babies? No.
I wake up at 4:30 a.m. while my husband showers. I make all of the kid’s bottles and food for the day while I get coffee going, praying my kid will sleep for at least a half hour more. My husband hops out, I hop in, I shower and get ready for work. By this time, my husband has been caring for and dressing the baby, so I finish packing him up. We drop off our son by 6:30, peel out of the parking lot to make it to the train, which will take us two hours to our jobs in the big city. Mornings are exhausting. Nights are equally as hectic.
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No One Wants To Be ‘That’ Parent
Still, there is pressure not to be the one to say no, even though the other parents are probably feeling the same way.
The truth is, I complain, but I know that come hell or high water on February 13, I’ll be filling out 11 cards and setting at least four cell phone reminders to make sure I bring them.
Give The Valentines To The Moms!
Honestly, no baby needs this. These new moms are the ones who deserve the pampering.
But seriously, it’s the women in their first year of motherhood who need the extra treat — such as chocolate, flowers, or wine — and not the teething kiddos who will just give themselves a paper cut.
What Do You Think?
So, what do you think? Is this mom right, or is this a nice gesture for the kids?
