Child Peddling
It’s disturbing that many schools and organizations force children to fundraise. I’m somewhat surprised that there is not more outcry about this. As a culture, we seem to mindlessly go along with so much that doesn’t make sense.
When I protest, there are a multitude of responses. One is, ‘They need to learn how to work for themselves.’ I don’t consider asking family and neighbors for money as learning how to ‘work.’ In fact, asking people for money is a life-skill I prefer they not have. I rather they actually do ‘work’ instead.
One of my children is so adverse to selling that he wants to take $200 out of his savings account to purchase the quota amount he’s been assigned. Why? Because if he doesn’t sell enough, he doesn’t receive the ‘spirit-wear.’ This happened last year and he was one of the few that didn’t sell enough and therefore didn’t have the clothing that the majority of his teammates had. He even tried to sell the silly things at a major event but only one person purchased from him.
Yes, as parents, we could sell them to our friends or take them to work. However, it just seems wrong. The entire way we make-up for funding shortcomings is wrong.
What happened to the kids just being able to do the activity they signed up to do? If there is an additional charge, then have the parents pay it (they can have the child earn the extra expense, if they are so inclined). If they can’t afford it, look for philanthropic organizations or individuals to sponsor those children. There are many ways to increase the coffers. Just about anything is better than the absurdity that we’re forcing upon the children now.
Magazines, cookie dough, entertainment books, candy bars, running laps. Bleh.
It’s disturbing that many schools and organizations force children to fundraise. I’m somewhat surprised that there is not more outcry about this. As a culture, we seem to mindlessly go along with so much that doesn’t make sense.
When I protest, there are a multitude of responses. One is, ‘They need to learn how to work for themselves.’ I don’t consider asking family and neighbors for money as learning how to ‘work.’ In fact, asking people for money is a life-skill I prefer they not have. I rather they actually do ‘work’ instead.
One of my children is so adverse to selling that he wants to take $200 out of his savings account to purchase the quota amount he’s been assigned. Why? Because if he doesn’t sell enough, he doesn’t receive the ‘spirit-wear.’ This happened last year and he was one of the few that didn’t sell enough and therefore didn’t have the clothing that the majority of his teammates had. He even tried to sell the silly things at a major event but only one person purchased from him.
Yes, as parents, we could sell them to our friends or take them to work. However, it just seems wrong. The entire way we make-up for funding shortcomings is wrong.
What happened to the kids just being able to do the activity they signed up to do? If there is an additional charge, then have the parents pay it (they can have the child earn the extra expense, if they are so inclined). If they can’t afford it, look for philanthropic organizations or individuals to sponsor those children. There are many ways to increase the coffers. Just about anything is better than the absurdity that we’re forcing upon the children now.
Magazines, cookie dough, entertainment books, candy bars, running laps. Bleh.
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