<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Nancy: We took to heart the recent article in PTO Today on the importance of Dads. We proposed at our recent meeting that our PTO sponsor a Doughnuts for Dads breakfast before school, however we were suprised by a couple of folks who felt that we were being "insensitive" to children who don't have fathers around, for expample, children who have step-fathers and children whose fathers may have died. We replied that first of all, all children DO have fathers. Whether the father is around or not is usually up to the father. However, we would be clear that children would be able to bring any grown up male in their lives such as an uncle, grandpa, older brother, etc. Second, it IS sad when a child loses a parent, but children will need to learn to cope with this loss in many ways throughout their life. Perhaps these kids could bring a grandpa or other important male figure in their lives as well and it would give them also an opportunity to spend a short time together at the school. I'd like to get some more opinion on this. Has anyone else encountered such concerns regarding an event like this? We are still going to do the event as planned,but we are going to face criticism from a few at our school that will still say we are being "insensitive" and maybe even that we are "discriminating" against kids who don't have fathers. Are we? What do you think? :confused: <hr></blockquote>
Nancy, I know from experience that no matter what you do, someone will suggest a "better idea" . My advise is to carry out your plan of Doughnuts for Dads. Make it fun. Let the children who DO have a dad at home take advantage of this opportunity. This will also give those children whoes fathers do not live with them an occasion to invite dad to, thus getting to spend a little quality time together. I believe that you are just fine. I don't see anything insensitive about encouraging children to have a male role model - be it dad, uncle, neighbor, minister, bishop, scout leader or principal. JUST DO IT!
Julie
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Nancy: We took to heart the recent article in PTO Today on the importance of Dads. We proposed at our recent meeting that our PTO sponsor a Doughnuts for Dads breakfast before school, however we were suprised by a couple of folks who felt that we were being "insensitive" to children who don't have fathers around, for expample, children who have step-fathers and children whose fathers may have died. We replied that first of all, all children DO have fathers. Whether the father is around or not is usually up to the father. However, we would be clear that children would be able to bring any grown up male in their lives such as an uncle, grandpa, older brother, etc. Second, it IS sad when a child loses a parent, but children will need to learn to cope with this loss in many ways throughout their life. Perhaps these kids could bring a grandpa or other important male figure in their lives as well and it would give them also an opportunity to spend a short time together at the school. I'd like to get some more opinion on this. Has anyone else encountered such concerns regarding an event like this? We are still going to do the event as planned,but we are going to face criticism from a few at our school that will still say we are being "insensitive" and maybe even that we are "discriminating" against kids who don't have fathers. Are we? What do you think? :confused: <hr></blockquote>
<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Nancy: We took to heart the recent article in PTO Today on the importance of Dads. We proposed at our recent meeting that our PTO sponsor a Doughnuts for Dads breakfast before school, however we were suprised by a couple of folks who felt that we were being "insensitive" to children who don't have fathers around, for expample, children who have step-fathers and children whose fathers may have died. We replied that first of all, all children DO have fathers. Whether the father is around or not is usually up to the father. However, we would be clear that children would be able to bring any grown up male in their lives such as an uncle, grandpa, older brother, etc. Second, it IS sad when a child loses a parent, but children will need to learn to cope with this loss in many ways throughout their life. Perhaps these kids could bring a grandpa or other important male figure in their lives as well and it would give them also an opportunity to spend a short time together at the school. I'd like to get some more opinion on this. Has anyone else encountered such concerns regarding an event like this? We are still going to do the event as planned,but we are going to face criticism from a few at our school that will still say we are being "insensitive" and maybe even that we are "discriminating" against kids who don't have fathers. Are we? What do you think? :confused: <hr></blockquote>
I completely agree with the others who responded - while it is difficult to deal with these comments, you are never going to please everyone. I wonder if the folks who are critical are active in your PTO? One way to try to appease might be to do a "Mom" focused event at some other time during the year. Whatever you do, try not to let the turkeys get you down!
I completely agree with the others who responded - while it is difficult to deal with these comments, you are never going to please everyone. I wonder if the folks who are critical are active in your PTO? One way to try to appease might be to do a "Mom" focused event at some other time during the year. Whatever you do, try not to let the turkeys get you down!
