I volunteered to be the class parent and I already regret everything.
By @nicoactually · Family
The teacher asked for a parent volunteer to manage class communications and plan the holiday party. I raised my hand thinking it'd be easy, but I've accidentally started a full-blown war with another mom over the proper way to run a bake sale.
The full story
I don't know what I was thinking. My youngest just started first grade and at the open house, the teacher asked if anyone wanted to be the class parent. It's my third kid, I've done this before, how hard could it be? Famous last words. The main job is to send a few emails and coordinate the winter party. Easy. Well, we have a fall fundraiser coming up—a simple bake sale. I sent out an email with a a place nearby Sheet for people to sign up for what they're bringing. Cookies, brownies, cupcakes, whatever. One of the other moms replied-all within minutes. they said, and I quote, that a spreadsheet is "impersonal and stifles culinary creativity." they insisted that the proper way to do this is for everyone to just bring whatever they feel inspired to bake, and it will all work out. She called it 'intuitive baking contribution.' I replied (just to her, not to everyone) and said that's a nice thought, but we could end up with 30 dozen chocolate chip cookies and no brownies. A little organization helps make sure we have variety. She then replied-all AGAIN and said my 'rigid, corporate approach' was going to ruin the community spirit and that bake sales are about passion, not checklists. She then started a separate email chain with half the class parents (I can see the CC list!) to brainstorm 'more organic bake sale concepts.' Someone in her group suggested we theme the bake sale around 'autumnal flavor profiles' and require every dish to have either pumpkin, apple, or maple as the primary ingredient. Now my inbox is a warzone. I have parents emailing me asking which email chain to follow. Three people have taken their names off my 'corporate' spreadsheet. Another parent suggested we form a committee to vote on the official bake sale methodology. A committee! For a first-grade bake sale! I just wanted to send a few emails and now I'm a spreadsheet-tyrant who's at war with the organic baking faction.
How people voted
- OP Is Right — 26% (39 votes)
- Both Messy — 41% (61 votes)
- OP Is Wrong — 33% (50 votes)
Readers are split: “Both Messy” leads with 41% — 150 votes and 5 comments so far.
What people are saying
@hankyy — This is giving me flashbacks to my HOA fight over what 'seasonal decorations' meant for the 4th of July.
@oopsmybad — The other mom has main character syndrome, full stop.
@inesish — I'd make a new spreadsheet for the 'committee' and then reply-all with the link. Let them have at it.
@auroralol — A bake sale is for raising money for the kids, not for someone's culinary ego trip.
@lanemaybe — let them have their organic bake sale this is going to be so funny
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