School head bans mothers day cards!!??

Question

Here in the UK a school head has banned primary school kids from making mothers day cards for fear of being insensitive to kids without mothers.

We've made mothers day cards in school for years, i dont see what the problem is really, I lost my dad, but I still pop to the cemetary to see him on fathers day, surely its wrong to wrap kids up in cotton wool so much that they are not allowed to even think of their mum on a day when all other kids are?

What do you think?

Is he right or wrong?

Answer 1

I think she is being insensitive to kids with mothers........
And by the way it was a woman teacher.

Answer 2

I have no idea what's going on in the UK, but every time I hear about this in the US, it turns out to be someone being overly cautious.

In this particular situation, there is nothing wrong with having an activity to make mother's day cards. However, allowance should be given for children to recognize others in their lives. Fathers. Grandparents. Dad's Life Partner. Aunts. Uncles. Guardians. Whoever.

Kids without moms understand that they have different situations. And, as long as teachers encourage them to think about those people in their lives that care for them, there is not harm.

What IS wrong is to make a rule that only mother's day cards be made. I've actually seen cases where a teacher will "mark down" a student for making a "grandma" card because it wasn't the assignment. That's wrong.

Answer 3

I think she was wrong to do that, I completely understand if a child in the School has lost their mother at such a young age may feel a little depressed and sad but that is no reason for others to miss out. Those children could actually help the child by doing the group activity! Being around people at times that would remind you of lost ones is helpful in coping with the loss

Or the teacher could talk with the dad to arrange a trip to the cemetery to take their card

Answer 4

Wrong!!! I lost my Mom at 7 and i still think this is wrong if that were the case then we should stop every single thing cause something affects everyone. Kids that dont have a mom for whatever reason figure out a way to deal with it.I know me and my siblings did,yes exactley by going to the cemetary on Mothers day or planting a garden in her honor,This is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard.I have kids myself they are grown now but the school card for Mommy was something I looked forward to as well as them,What a shame.

Answer 5

I think it is totally wrong.

Losing a parent young is hard, but by the school saying no mothers day, fathers day... blah blah blah celebrations, it is not going to make children forget about that fact that they might be different to others in their class.

if anything, I think that mothers day cards for children without mothers is good way of dealing and healing.

For example, if a child loses their mother, that doesnt mean that they cant write a card to say they still think about their mother.

And if a child never knew their mother, mothers day will still be a day for every single year for the rest of their lives. but that doesnt mean that they can not write a card to a foster mum, a grand mother, an aunty... an anyone.

I think this teacher was very much in the wrong.
Things like this shouldnt be covered up.

It is also going to make children be ashamed for not having a mother which I think is the very completely wrong impression to give out.

Many children without mothers are still loved, and what more of a perfect opportunity for children to understand and appreciate that maternal love, than mothers day, whehter that goes to a grandparent or a foster mother or an adoption mother?

Answer 6

We don't NEED mothers day, the children could be encouraged to make a card for someone they care for, but I do think the head has a point. Children need to feel that they are the same, they don't want to stand out and unfortunately lots of kids don't come from a traditional nuclear family. I'm with her on this. The rate of children at that school is 5% apparently. Kids get teased enough. Its all a big Clinton Cards con anyway, catch 'em while their young, like McDonalds. (I know they would make them at this age, but I mean they would then feel they had to buy them in future years)

Answer 7

I'm a widow with two young children and I think any family that has lost a parent will have their own way of dealing with this. I get in touch with the teacher before father's day to see what is planned and make sure the teacher communicates that it is okay to make something for a parent who died or lives far away, or if anyone wants to make a card for someone else, they can do that. I know other people who would just skip school that day, especially if it is a recent loss. To ban the cards for the whole school is too much.

Answer 8

Wrong a Mother's day card doesn't have to be for mum it' could be a step mother, aunt or just someone who takes care of you. I'd be gutted if my son didn't make me a card or have the cahnce to.
I work with children we've been making Valentines card not for romance but saying make it for some one you love care about as it's nice to be told.
Back to the mother's day thing I think it's important to make them, it's a chance to explain to other's that not everyone has one through one reason or another and there are different family structures throughout. It is blind ignorance and if a child has a mother who has died just maybe they want to still remember them and put it on their grave? They could ask the children who would like to make one and who for without assuming they won't, freedom of choice.

Answer 9

i believe that it is wrong. Life is about learning from experiences, and in some cases learning the hard way.
You cannot sheild children from basic aspects of life. Every child deserves to be able enjoy them selves, and express them selves.
I made a mothers day card in primary school, a freind of mine made a fathers day card even though his father had demised.
He didnt feel left out.
The problem is that in society today, people are protecting children from bad feelings, they are forgeting the important aspects of life, and of childhood.
Surely if a child is feeling a bit upset, about making a mothers day card, then im sure they would be excused from doing it.
In conclusion, every child has parents, and on special days every child has the right to think of them, and noone can tell them otherwise.

Answer 10

Putting the lime light on kiddies with no mothers they may even get picked on by kids with mothers-being blamed for them not being able to make a card etc. I don't think it a very good or professional idea to be honest. They may grow up with a bigger feeling they can't get passed with not having a mother because of the way the silly woman has chosen to do this. Not a good idea in my opinion.

Answer 11

i still get mothers day cards from the kids that they make at school its fathers day cards they have stopped due to the single mothers i think its discusting that the kids carnt make there dad a card coz 3 kids in there class dont have one sometimes i wonder what the world is coming to .i sang baa baa black sheep to my niece a couple of weeks ago and was told by my 8 yr old son im not aloud to say black sheep as they have banned it at school they have a differnt version now i just wonder when the madness is gonna end.