School mum accused of 'dictatorship' after strange birthday present request

30 September 2023 , 07:00

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The mum admitted she found the request 'really odd' (Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

A new school mum has reached out to the internet for advice after a bizarre request from her fellow parents. The woman in question has a child in their first year of school, and she is a member of a Whatsapp group for all the class mums and dads.

She shared that someone on the group had sent a message suggesting that they should all give cash for the children's' birthdays, rather than presents. What's more, one parent then volunteered herself to collect all the money for all the birthdays.

"I don't know why but I'm finding all this really odd and [a] dictatorship," she admitted on Reddit. "If you want to give a present or cash do it but now there's a list going 'I've just transferred x amount did you get it?' etc. plus this volunteer is now going to make a list of all the parents' names and how much each one is giving?! I'm finding it so bloody odd, am I being weird or is this set up weird? The kids are 4-5, surely they want to open presents rather than get money put into mum's account?"

The post was quickly inundated with comments, with people quick to share their thoughts on the matter. "Say 'Thanks for offering to set this up, but we're just going to carry on buying individual gifts. DC likes to choose for their friends.' Don't get involved, or it will just become ridiculous and you'll find yourself donating for a child who your child never plays with and didn't even get an invite to the party," one suggested.

A second echoed: “Reply 'Thanks for the suggestion. I prefer the tradition of giving presents for children’s birthdays and will bring a present.'" And a third said: "Just weird and joyless - great idea for teachers etc but little kids like opening presents from their friends."

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Meanwhile, a fourth added: "Yeah, this is odd, how will it work in terms of the child getting the money? Are they only collecting for one child at a time? I imagine this volunteer is a busybody who will either be telling the world and his wife who gave what and to whom, or she will be complaining like mad about how hard it is before long! I would just reply 'I will pop cash in cards'. I bet you'll find a flurry of similar responses once one person breaks ranks!"

Gemma Strong