Mother Frowns At School Rule Tied To Birthday Parties, Threat Of Taking Away Break Time

In certain cases, parents and teachers may not agree on some things. That includes how a student can celebrate their birthday party. In some cases, only a select few can be invited, most of whom are likely close to the child. But this case of an unnamed mother believed to be from the United States is a bit odd.

After sending out invitations to select students who are likely to be familiar and close to the family, it seems a teacher found out about it. The teacher heard the plans of the first-grade student with his friends and shot an email to the mother of the student. She told the mother that the class rule for such occasions is to invite the whole class.

Living in a small apartment, the mother responded by saying she could not fit in 25 students at their small apartment. Instead of understanding the situation, the teacher suggested that they move the party to a nearby park instead.

“I told her that there is no way I’m watching and feeding 25 children either and that I’d never heard of this rule and we certainly hadn’t been invited to every other child’s birthday party,” the mother of the grade 2 student said.

The teacher would have nothing of it. Stressing that it is indeed a rule, the teacher said that if her son did not bring invitations, he would have to turn his behavior card to 'double red' and miss recess.

The mother opted not to send her son to school the following day and spent the day getting some ice cream and getting a birthday present. The father felt the rule was stupid and was not amenable to the idea of his son missing school. For him, missing recess is not a big deal and that the child would likely be punished when he returns to school.

Left in a conundrum, the mother took to Reddit to get some advice. Some sided with her, most questioning the rule and that the alleged punishment is uncalled for.

"How can a school possibly dictate whom you invite into your own home? Is this a public school? I would pursue it with the principal, and if not, with the school board. If your child is penalized, I'd see a lawyer," one user quipped.