I have to vent! Preschool Halloween parties!

[marcyinPA]

Sorry, but I'm just going to spill it!

I'm a preschool teacher in the 2's class. Every year, we have a little Halloween party. LITTLE. I always stress to the parents that we try to keep it low-key. We don't dress up in costume, but we have "orange and black day" and most of our little ones come in some sort of Halloween shirt/outfit. CUTE.

A week ahead, I put on a sign up sheet, asking for ONE sweet snack, ONE salty snack, ONE fruit, plates, and napkins. They are TWO, so they don't each much. Three items on the plate=plenty. We have asked from the start of the school year that they don't bring cupcakes for any celebrations, because they just don't eat them.

OK...so TODAY. One parent brought worms in dirt and spider cookies made from oreo cakesters. Does this parent really let her 2 year old eat four inch long gummy worms?? One parent brought Dunkin munchkins. One parent brought whole grapes and one brought apples. And one brought pretzels.

So we should have had three food items, and we had SIX.

The worms in dirt were a MESS. Chocolate everywhere. We sent the spider cookies back home. Grandma was offended. Oh well.

The grapes are being saved for tomorrow so I had some time to cut them. I never gave my 2 year olds whole grapes (and these were pretty large).

The Dunkin Munchkins are being saved for tomorrow too. Thankfully the mom who brought them was understanding.

What really blows my mind though is are parents REALLY ok with their little ones eating so much junk?? And why would they bring so much, knowing that a lot of it gets thrown out?

My co-teacher and I have considered eliminating sign ups and just bringing the party food ourselves from now on, but that would really upset parents!

I guess we can't win.

Vent over. Thanks.

 

[ddp9000]

haha wow - sounds like you had a fun day

 

[jrmasm]

Sorry, but I'm just going to spill it!

I'm a preschool teacher in the 2's class. Every year, we have a little Halloween party. LITTLE. I always stress to the parents that we try to keep it low-key. We don't dress up in costume, but we have "orange and black day" and most of our little ones come in some sort of Halloween shirt/outfit. CUTE.

A week ahead, I put on a sign up sheet, asking for ONE sweet snack, ONE salty snack, ONE fruit, plates, and napkins. They are TWO, so they don't each much. Three items on the plate=plenty. We have asked from the start of the school year that they don't bring cupcakes for any celebrations, because they just don't eat them.

OK...so TODAY. One parent brought worms in dirt and spider cookies made from oreo cakesters. One parent brought Dunkin munchkins. One parent brought whole grapes and one brought apples. And one brought pretzels.

So we should have had three food items, and we had SIX.

The worms in dirt were a MESS. Chocolate everywhere. We sent the spider cookies back home. Grandma was offended. Oh well.

The grapes are being saved for tomorrow so I had some time to cut them. I never gave my 2 year olds whole grapes (and these were pretty large).

The Dunkin Munchkins are being saved for tomorrow too. Thankfully the mom who brought them was understanding.

What really blows my mind though is are parents REALLY ok with their little ones eating so much junk?? And why would they bring so much, knowing that a lot of it gets thrown out?

My co-teacher and I have considered eliminating sign ups and just bringing the party food ourselves from now on, but that would really upset parents!

I guess we can't win.

Vent over. Thanks.

At a party? Yes. But I can understand that you're frustrated because your requests were ignored.

 

[marcyinPA]

At a party? Yes. But I can understand that you're frustrated because your requests were ignored.

Ok, elementary school maybe. But two year olds? Really?

 

[allison443]

Do you have other holiday parties during the year, and if so do the parents know that? Maybe the parents want to participate but if they knew they would have a chance later on they would wait until then, kwim?

I guess the only way to get the snacks you want is to specify, i.e. cut up grapes, etc.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Ok, elementary school maybe. But two year olds? Really?

It is a party.

If you want parents to bring in snacks simply state specifically the item to bring in. Problem solved.

 

[jrmasm]

Ok, elementary school maybe. But two year olds? Really?

Yes, I'd let my 2 year old have junk at a party. It's a party!

But had I been a parent in your class, I would have signed up for something on your list. I wouldn't have ignored your requests.

 

[laughinplace199]

Maybe if you can get parents to bring in specific items, you'll have less junk to deal with.

My DS's preschool has a sign-up sheet for parents before every party. For the Halloween party, the sign-up sheet listed mini bagels, juice boxes, Hershey's Kisses, napkins, and plates. Parents just put their names next to the item they want to bring and it works great.

 

[RainbowBrite]

I'm a former infant/toddler teacher and currently a nanny and I just don't see a problem. No, the kids I care for don't eat junk like that on a daily basis but with the kids I nanny for I always throw a little Halloween party for us and yes there is junk food. What was wrong with the spider cookies? I don't get it. And the grapes, I currently have a 17 month old who will only eat them whole. I watch her like a hawk and she does fine. I understand with a room full of kids you can't do that, but couldn't you cut them?

 

[allison443]

Yes, I'd let my 2 year old have junk at a party. It's a party!

But had I been a parent in your class, I would have signed up for something on your list. I wouldn't have ignored your requests.

I agree, but I think the issue was the sign up sheet just had "sweet snack" and the teachers weren't expecting gummy worms, "dirt" and cakesters. Probably it's better to be more specific next time.

 

[design_mom]

Sounds like you had a rough day.

I would be willing to bet the parent who brought in the worms/dirt and spider cookies thought she was going over-and-above by providing Halloween themed treats. They probably also wanted to make sure they brought enough for the aides, and anybody else who happened to be helping out. I know I always try to err on the side of too much instead of too little.

My kids' preschool put up more specific sign up sheets. You didn't sign up to bring "salty snack," you signed up to bring in "mini pretzels, 1 bag." You didn't sign up to bring "fruit," you signed up to bring in "apple slices." Or cheese cubes or whatever.

Now that they're in elementary school they do sweet/salty, etc... but the kids don't require as much help eating.

 

[HelenePA]

Ok, elementary school maybe. But two year olds? Really?

As mom of a 2 yr old.. heck yeah! Its a party.. one day of lots of sweets wont hurt him. Heck isn't that what holidays are for?

I'm also one of "those" moms.. I send what I want for the party.. which will include 3 school parties tomorrow

 

[marcyinPA]

Do you have other holiday parties during the year, and if so do the parents know that? Maybe the parents want to participate but if they knew they would have a chance later on they would wait until then, kwim?

I guess the only way to get the snacks you want is to specify, i.e. cut up grapes, etc.

My newsletter says "if you don't have a chance to sign up this time, there will be other opportunities throughout the year".

I specifically asked for one salty, one sweet, one fruit. I got six.

I never thought I'd have to say bring cookies, cut grapes, and pretzels. I like to let parents bring in something of their choice, but I always thought they'd have common sense to bring in something suitable for 2 year olds. I've been teaching this program for five years, and this is the first time I've had an issue like this.

And when I specifically say that our party will be LOW KEY...well, that doesn't mean send in as much sugar as possible! Joke's on them though...our party is the last 15 minutes of the morning, and then they go home!

 

[Rora]

I'm a 3rd grade teacher and I know there's a big difference between our age groups, OP, but I specify what should be brought in.

What I typically do is this:

Donut Holes: ________________
Fruit Platter: ________________
Cookies: ___________________
Juice: ____________________
Napkins: ___________________

You catch my drift. Then parents can sign up for the exact food I request. Although you narrowed it down to sweet, salty, etc, I think it's just easier to deligate. Sometimes we still get parents who bring more than what's on the list, or way too much. Then I tell them, as nice as I can, "Fantastic!! These will be a great snack for us next week!" and quickly walk away before they can say anything to put them in the closet.

I know how you feel about the messes though.

EDIT: as far as Party Food goes, I don't mind if my kids eat junk food during out parties. We only have them 2x a year (maybe 3x if I'm sneaky), and there is already a strict No Junk Food Policy set in place for the rest of the year.

 

[daisyyy]

Seems like you had a bad day.. but really... what's the harm? Our day care center put up a sign up sheet, and tries to get the plates and napkins covered. then anything else is a bonus. So what if you have 6 foods... doesn't mean that everyone will want everything.... and our teachers will put it out, and then send home the left overs.. unless the parents say keep it until tomorrow.. as long as it's not a weekend... no big deal.. no hurt feelings. It's a party... if the parents don't want the kids to eat junk.. make sure they attend the party and monitor what the kid eats, or ask if they are not allowed to have certain snacks... by now, you should be aware of the parents reactions to snack food. I get it that the dirt was.. messy.. but it's a party.. and the worms were most likely for decoration... although some 2 yos are fine with eating gummy snacks. I agree the grapes should have been cut... or next time on the sign up sheet, just put down specific items.. and if you put grapes.. put a little note next to them that say if you bring in grapes, make sure they are washed, cut and ready to eat... if the parent doesn't want to be bothered cutting.. then they can sign up for the napkins. Don't worry about if the kids eat it or not... if they don't throw it out. If they take three pieces of snack, and only eat 1 and a bit of another.. then you're not throwing out that much anyway.

 

[marcyinPA]

Eh, never mind. At least my co-teacher and I agree with each other.

Not having ever been in my class of two's, you have no idea what kind of kids I'm working with this year. They are a challenging bunch, with some special needs not being met by anyone yet because it takes so long to get evaluated and into the system.

Two of the children didn't know how to use a spoon. With two teachers, 12 kids, and no aides, it was pretty crazy. No, we couldn't feed them, and no, there was no time to cut grapes.

I'll get past it...it was just a very stressful "party"....

 

[Hannathy]

I'm a former infant/toddler teacher and currently a nanny and I just don't see a problem. No, the kids I care for don't eat junk like that on a daily basis but with the kids I nanny for I always throw a little Halloween party for us and yes there is junk food. What was wrong with the spider cookies? I don't get it. And the grapes, I currently have a 17 month old who will only eat them whole. I watch her like a hawk and she does fine. I understand with a room full of kids you can't do that, but couldn't you cut them?

I agree. I would be offended also. why didn't you either offer the kids a choice or send them home with them? I would have sent the cookies home which I think are very cute by the way. as far as the worms sure why not? most of the kids probably wouldn't have eaten them anyway. If you thought the dirt pudding was going to be a mess why not send that home and eat the cookies. I don't get the grapes they are 2 not 1 mine ate them whole by 2. and a donut hole so what.

I would have given them all the stuff and most would only have eaten a few bites of each and all the parents are happy. Not worth offending anyone and it is a party after all!!

 

[ChrizJen]

OP, I do understand where you're coming from.
I personally limit the amount of that sort of junk that my DD eats, but since it was a party, I'd make an exception. Special occasions are always an exception to the rule.

I can also see your frustration with the parents ignoring the list and just bringing in whatever. I can appreciate their wanting to contribute, but they should have paid more attention to your requests. I guess chalk it up to the excitement of the day.

I used to work with 2-yr-olds at a child care center, and I learned quickly that you just have to roll with the punches. Both the kids and the parents can make you crazy if you let them!!

 

[Mouse House Mama]

*Disclaimer*
*I am not calling you names or being snarky to YOU. I am stating this based on what you have posted and if I had heard any teacher complaining like this.*

I think you sound like a cranky teacher. They are two. Big deal if they eat a ton of junk at a party. Yes, I know plenty of two year olds who can eat a 4 inch gummy worm. That is why they have teeth. If they don't want it they won't eat it. I don't care if the kids don't eat the whole cupcake. I don't care if they lick the icing off and leave the rest. It is a party. Big whoop that you had tons of stuff. I like variety. I put out tons of stuff when I have a party too. You asked for stuff and you got it. I hate when people ask for volunteers and then complain about it. If you did want specific snacks you should have wrote them on the list. That I will agree with you. I also think that you are forgetting that parents just want to be a part of their kids school experience and pre-school is where it starts. Maybe Suzy loves munchkins and wanted to share that with her class. Maybe Joe's Grandma always makes a Halloween surprise dessert and he wanted to share that with his friends. You never know. As for the grapes- everyone is different about that stuff.

I also hate the whole black and orange thing. I don't want to have to go buy something else for one day of school when they already have a costume and they are 2.

Again- I am not being snippy but matter of fact and if you were my frind irl I would tell you the same thing.

 

[Rora]

Eh, never mind. At least my co-teacher and I agree with each other.

Not having ever been in my class of two's, you have no idea what kind of kids I'm working with this year. They are a challenging bunch, with some special needs not being met by anyone yet because it takes so long to get evaluated and into the system.

Two of the children didn't know how to use a spoon. With two teachers, 12 kids, and no aides, it was pretty crazy. No, we couldn't feed them, and no, there was no time to cut grapes.

I'll get past it...it was just a very stressful "party"....

Go do something fun and relax! Parties, regardless of the age, are always stressful for the teacher, even more stressful if the kids are under 6.