Working on getting the boys’ back-to-school shopping list completed. Among the many things on the lengthy kindergartener’s list are 12 glue sticks and 6 24-pack crayons. I know that these will be thrown into a community chest of school supplies for the classroom. However, it makes me queasy that we are teaching our children that they can dip into the perpetual well of goodies. Some families will have contributed everything required and more, others will have contributed nothing, but everyone has equal access. What is wrong with each child being responsible for his/her own supplies, treating them respectfully and making them last? If the supplies run out, then it will be time to replace exactly what is needed. My Mom made the comment that it would be a lot more practical and kind to ask parents to donate money for the class. If a parent cannot supply his child with school supplies, the donations can cover the short fall. Then that child can have the pleasure and responsibility of caring for his own hoard of supplies. I remember the joy of having my own cigar-box that held my school supplies, and the huge responsibility of buying new pencils and erasers at the canteen when my supplies ran low. And I remember the tactile bliss of sharpening my crayons when the point failed, or I accidentally broke one in two. With an endless supply of “free” crayons, I guess kids today can just go open a new pack. Off my soapbox now.
Posted on: Fri, 18 Jul 2014 15:22:45 +0000
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