I did something stupid-I think!

[Teacher03]

I can't sleep and I need an opinion. I went to a cake auction tonight for my school's boy scout troop. All the money raised went to help the troops buy supplies, etc. I ended up buying two cakes for $30. There was one boy who didn't get a cake and there was one cake left. I bidded against him because they wanted to raise the price. I didn't really want the cake, but he eventually got it for $30, which is the max it could go for. Now I am laying in bed thinking how stupid I was because maybe the family didn't have the money to pay $30 for the cake. The boy is not in my class, he is in first grade. My plan is to write an apology note to the mom and splitting the cost of the cake with her. I stated if she did not wish to keep the money, to donate it to the boy scout troop. Do you think I am doing the right thing? Or do I worry too much? Or I am being offensive to offer money? What do you think? Help! I need to go to bed!

 

[MariDisney]

I think you're probably over thinking things. Let me be the first to admit, though, that I end up going over things like this in my head a million times.

I think what's done is done. Even if the family doesn't have the money they may be really embarassed/offended if you offer it to them. If you don't know them, I'd just let it go. I would not write a note. If you do know them and feel like they're in a touch place you might offer help in some other way (hey, I noticed that John is about the size Joe was last year...would you like to have some of the winter clothes he's outgrown...something like that).

Good luck with whatever you decide...your heart is in the right place!

 

[Teacher03]

I know you are probably right.....I hate it when I overthink things! I didn't even think a thing about it until I was laying in bed. I will have this student in two years, and do not want to give the wrong impression to the parents. Anyways, thanks for the quick replay. I think I will try to get some sleep!

 

[Msslaydbug]

Like Mari says - it sounds like you are overthinking things. That is what I do when I go to bed. My brain goes a mile a minute and I am such a worry wart !! Hope you are able to get a restful night sleep !

 

[epcotfan]

You are overthinking things. And it might insult the parent if you offer money because you think they can't afford it. Don't worry about it anymore.

 

[Scutapipig]

I think your heart is in the right place, but I agree that you're overthinking things.

It was an auction. People make a choice to bid or not to bid. They chose to bid. Their choice. You cannot hold yourself responsible for other people's actions.

(Ok...off to repeat that to myself twenty times over.)

 

[Hannathy]

Sorry I don't know what to tell you but I am wondering why you felt it was necessary for you to keep bidding if other parents there weren't? Didn't you already buy a cake. I would feel terrible and don't know how to make you feel better. sometimes there aren't fixes to every thing we do.

 

[DisneyBlonde]

I would maybe jot a note congratulating their son on being such a worthy opponent...then maybe add as an afterthought, did he overstep his bounds by bidding so high, cuz you have an insatiable sweet tooth and would be more than willing to take 1/2 the cake off their hands.

 

[Teacher03]

Sorry I don't know what to tell you but I am wondering why you felt it was necessary for you to keep bidding if other parents there weren't? Didn't you already buy a cake. I would feel terrible and don't know how to make you feel better. sometimes there aren't fixes to every thing we do.

Exactly! I didn't want the cake, but they needed someone to bid against him. That is why I feel so terrible. He was really excited about bidding against someone and those who were in charge asked me to bid. And you are right, I don't think I can fix this one. It was for charity, and most of the cakes went for $30. So I really don't know if the parents are upset or not, but I just feel bad. I didn't send a note home today, but I like the idea of maybe sending a card to the child. It wasn't a question of me being competitive, it was just me being, well, thoughtless when I was really trying to be thoughtful.