Posted on 02/09/2007 2:04:31 PM PST by Froufrou
A school has banned the making of Mothers Day cards because the headteacher does not want to upset children without a mother.
Helen Starkey has ended the tradition in the interests of "sensitivity".
"More than five per cent of children here are separated from their birth mother and have either no contact or no regular contact with their mother," she said.
"This decision was not taken because of any philosophical attitude towards the celebration of Mothering Sunday, but to protect a significant number of children in our school.
"In all our dealings with these children we have to exercise great sensitivity. I am not against Mothers Day but no time will be devoted to making cards in lessons."
The move has angered parents at the 357-pupil Johnstown Primary School in Carmarthen, West Wales.
One mother said: "No one wants to be hard-hearted to those kids without a mum at home but it means that 95 per cent of pupils are being deprived of a traditional activity.
"Children who dont have mothers can make cards for an aunt or a relative or even a neighbour who cares for them."
Mothering Sunday falls on the fourth Sunday of Lent - March 18 this year.
Mothers Union spokesman Fiona Thomas said: "We understand not all children have contact with their mothers.
"However presumably all the children at the school have care, and it would be ideal if the school could promote and support carers by encouraging each child to make a card which thanks the person in their lives who does that mothering.
"That could be a dad, auntie, carer, foster mum or grandparent.
"All the children should be encouraged to think about the skills of mothering - and how they can be appreciated on this special day."
I'd have thought Father's Day would be the first to go.
Ya know, I if was a child without a mother, I would already be aware of it and most likely have dealt with it.
Hey look Ma! No Ma!
"In all our dealings with these children we have to exercise great sensitivity."
Oh stop please.
Keep protecting these children from "life" and they will most definately not be prepared for "life."
"do you know who your mother is?" will usually get the correct response, however, "do you know who your daddy is?" may cause confusion..
No one should be happy if we can't all be happy.
All of the others quoted in the article offer common-sense solutions to what a child without a mother can do. In fact, what a lot of children without mothers have always done.
How is it that this is lost on the school adminstrator?
But, of course, this might upset children who don't have one ...
Just one more jump down the rabbit hole. Sheesh.
Every one has a mother.
Absolutely hysterical. LOL!!!!!
Except those who don't.
So much for strength through diversity!
Borrow one from one who has two.
I would think THIS principal would ban Valentine's Day cards so as not to offend those without a heart.
You're an orphan. Haha!
Father's day probably doesn't happen during the school year.
"No mas! No mas!"
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