Father’s Day

By MissyBoo On September 2, 2009 · 11 Comments · In donor dad, kindy, Uncategorized

Boo told me last week that they were making Father’s Day gifts at kindy, and asked if I would be able to send hers to her dad. No problem.

Kindy teacher checked with me on Monday about whether Boo’s gift would be for her dad (as they know she doesn’t see him) or for her grandfather or someone else. I told the teacher that Boo wanted to make a gift and send it to her dad.

The gift (a picture of a shirt with a painted tie attached) came home yesterday with the following verse glued to the bottom of the shirt

Happy Father’s Day
A dad is a person
who is loving and kind,
And often he knows
what you have on your mind.
He’s someone who listens,
suggests and defends.
A dad can be one
of your very best friends!
He’s proud of your triumphs,
but when things go wrong,
A dad can be patient,
and helpful and strong
In all that you do,
a dad’s love plays a part.
There’s always a place for him
deep in your heart.
And as each year that passes,
you’re even more glad,
More grateful and proud
just to call him your dad!
Thank you, Dad…
for listening and caring,
for giving and sharing,
but especially, for just being you!

I’m sorry, I find that tacky even if you do have a fabulous relationship with your father, but to put that on the gift of a child that doesn’t see their father is just wrong!!!

The verse has been removed – steamed away without a trace!

Now do I put a photo in with the ‘gift’ or would that really tempt opening the can of worms too much?

11 Responses to Father’s Day

trish says:

September 2, 2009 at 11:33

I think considering the circumstances I would have done the same thing … maybe get Boo to draw a picture of herself instead of a photo.

It is a bit over the top for preschoolers, like what preschooler would say that about their Dad.

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onthesunnyroad says:

September 2, 2009 at 11:34

God, that *is* awful! Why do schools etc always revert to the sappiest crappiest stuff for these occasions? Would it kill them to put a bit more thought into it?

And what is the point of asking you about it if they weren’t going to think about the appropriateness of it??

I wouldn’t send a photo – you don’t want to poke the sleeping beast more than you have to. Maybe just a note from you saying “Boo wanted to send this to you”? Implied – I didn’t

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Super Sarah says:

September 2, 2009 at 11:49

Goodness gracious me, what a load of crap! You would think that they would have noticed, considering they even asked you who the card was going to be for. Oh well, at least you rescued the situation, although maybe it could have been considered ironic?

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Gemisht says:

September 2, 2009 at 12:33

That really is gag-worthy. I can’t believe that they put that on for any of the kids and their dads.

So glad you managed to rescue it – and I think that a drawing would be great too.

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h&b says:

September 2, 2009 at 19:42

Um .. but don’t they know about the relationship?

I think it’s just really unthinking, especially at 4-5yrs old where a child might ask what the verse reads and then want to discuss it and how it relates to them.

Aren’t particulars on file? The fact that Dad is not a part of everyday life?

I think the verse is crass. It sets unbelieveably high expectations and has no want on a kindy card, which really, IMO should be a short note from the child, transcribed by the teacher.

Say no to iccky verse!

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Fe says:

September 2, 2009 at 21:00

Bluerch.

I would have DIED if one of those had come home from my kids schools. I’m sure I would have simply the torn the whole thing up and put it where it belonged. In the garbage bin.

Good on you for saving the rest of the card.

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Iris says:

September 3, 2009 at 12:45

I completedly go with onthesunnyroad!
Didn´t the guys at kindy listen to you?! I think I would ask them in person – as long as it´s not bad for boo, that is.

It´s a very sweet rhyme otherwise (I think), though.

Nahh. Wouldn´t send a pic.

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MissyBoo says:

September 5, 2009 at 23:11

Trish – Didn’t include a photo, or draw a picture as needed to post that day and Boo was at kindy!

SRM – I was worried about poking the sleeping beast, even sending the gift! I don’t know why they bothered to ask either???

SuperSarah – Hooray for a steam rescue

Gemisht – Awful wasn’t it!

h&b – I agree it is really unthinking, since the teacher who asked is aware of the situation. I commented to another teacher about the ickiness of the verse and who had not read it and she was most apologetic…

Fe – I contemplated the garbage bin! Unfortunately, Boo had asked me to send it and trusted me to send it for her, so how could I not?

Iris – It appears the teachers listening skills are not good!

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Dina says:

September 15, 2009 at 08:09

I don’t think Fathers Day and Mothers Day are worth the pain. So many children don’t have a mother or father. And some children have mothers and fathers that are NOT worth celebrating.

For so many people, these days are simply days to be sad.

I think the poem is very tacky.

I also hate the idea that we need a day to celebrate those we DO have with us, and those we appreciate. We should love and appreciate those who are important to us everyday.

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Stacey says:

September 28, 2009 at 09:24

It is a bit over the top, even for a Dad that a child sees every day. It’s unthinking and insensitive of the teachers to include it in Boo’s case.

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Another Reason for Disliking Hallmark Holidays | Me & Boo says:

August 19, 2010 at 19:08

[...] At least with all the cards and gifts going to Grandpa this year, I won’t have to deal with the icky poem from last year! [...]

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