Fundraising in Preschool??

Our school does a walkathon and all kids participate wether they raised money or not. I don't know if you are saying you strongly oppose the fact that they are soliciting money or you just don't want your child soliciting money. If you are opposing even her participating during the in school part then just don't send her that day. If you just don't want her collecting the money then she will be fine. They will still allow all the children to participate. My kids didn't even realize we didn't send any money. Actually they are too young to actually care because they still got to participate.

I'm sure the "donating" part is entirely optional. Your child can still participate in the walking or biking, but, yes, may feel a bit left out. A good compromise might be a small $5 or $10 donation to each cause. You could work it into your charitable giving budget.

Yep, I don't like putting kids in the position to solicit money for anything either. You can give your son a just a small amount of money or small check for the each charity and let him enjoy the biking or walking, or whatever activity they are doing. That should be plenty enough. If he is getting or feeling any additional pressure from teachers or peers to do more "soliciting" I would speak up. But mostly likely, that won't happen, and it's just to learn about giving back, it will be fun, and him knowing your family will contribute towards the cause will be all good.

I'm a little unclear whether these fundraisers are for the preschool or other charitable causes? If they are for the preschool , then I think it is a little weird to have the kids doing them. My son's is a non-profit organization and we are always fundraising, but the parents do the fundraising, not the kids. If they are for outside organizations, then I think that is really sweet and a great way for kids to learn about helping others. I don't think the amounts of money the kids are raising is probably going to skew your family's budget for donating, so send 10 bucks and maybe have your kid ask Grandma for 5 or 10 (or whatever), and let it go. I don't think the preschool really expects your kid to go up and down the street soliciting donations (thought it would work!). It is going to be worse to make your kid feel left out.

If you really have a problem with the whole idea, talk to the teacher or the director and make your case. I am sure they are just trying to do their best, and would love to have some constructive criticism about the whole thing.

Boy!!! They are starting now in Pre-School? When I was a kid - I remember in late elementary school some fundraisers with the cookie dough and jump rope, but I didn't participate. We were the ones shopping at Goodwill rather than donating to it. Anyway - I don't think that your child will be scarred forever by not being able to participate. I didn't participate in a lot of things and I'm not sad about them. You are the parent the one who is in control. If you don't want your child to participate - then tell them "No". If they ask why - you can either tell him/her how you feel or just tell them simply "No". That is what my parents did and what they said was it. No if ands or buts about anything.

I respectfully disagree with you. Your child is not going to school with just a check written by someone else. Your child is earning that money for a good cause. I think that is also a good lesson - that sometimes you can't give money (in this case your own), but you can give your time and energy to help someone else.

I think if your child does not participate, they will be ostracized and in the end, it is really worth it? No one says that you have to donate hundreds of dollars. I guess I just don't see how having your child participate is a negative.

for our kids , I have always just bought one or two things. Called the grandparents to see if they want to participate, some of these new fundraisers have websites they can go to , to order stuff.
I don't like fundraisers either but they do have their good purpose , mine now at 8 and 5 yrs call the grandparents on their own , it helps develop some social skills and independence. I use them as an opportunity to teach them something. And with only ordering one or two things I could really use , ie wrapping paper, or cookie dough. or Things I can use as gifts later they get the credit for selling it and I get something I might need later.

I don't have the solution.... but just wait until your child is a little bit older... They gin up excitement about these fundraisers by offering prizes to the kids who sell "x" amount! I don't like my kids going around selling, and I find the expectation that the parents will take the order sheet to work and hawk it FOR them at work totally out of line and inappropriate. But then the kids are begging to please let them do it because they want to earn a prize! This year, the order forms say explicitly on them "do not send your child door to door"... well...uhhhh... soooo who are they supposed to sell to? Our entire family lives 300 miles away! Hmmm...

Sorry I don't have an answer... your post just really pushed a button with me and I appreciate you letting me vent!