A mother named Liene shared a post on the social network Threads about school fairs, such as the fair in honor of Martyndiena, which, as she notes, often becomes a real trial for parents, writes LA.lv.
“I was that lucky mom who avoided fairs throughout my son's kindergarten years because they weren't held at his preschool,” writes Liene, admitting that until now this "school classic" was unfamiliar to her. “But with the start of my son's school life, I could no longer avoid it: this year – 1st grade, and already a fair. If I ever become the Minister of Education and Science or the President of the country – I will ban them by law. Yes, I know that participation is not mandatory, but the child wants to, since classmates are participating, and here my mother’s heart surrendered and agreed. It’s hell. I hope this event happens once a year and next year my son won’t want to participate.”
Her post gathered dozens of reactions and comments from other parents within a few hours, who share their views on school fairs. Here’s what others think.
Aiya writes that she is also not particularly inspired by this event: “I want to write something positive… but yes, it’s a bit nerve-wracking. But the time when you prepare/do something together! And then the joy: ‘Everything sold out!’”.
Another mom, on the contrary, notes that she likes the fairs: “What’s not to like? It’s so great. I don’t think it’s necessary in kindergarten, but in school – it’s cool. Usually, my little one buys sweets from other kids with the money earned.”
Another woman shares that on fair days she specifically goes to school to buy treats from the kids: “I like walking around these fairs, I go with a little basket. My daughter will participate next year because in 8th grade it’s mandatory – you need to write a business plan, make calculations, and so on. But the kids know about it in advance, and it’s not necessary to sell pastries – you can come up with a lot.”
Here are more opinions:
“I don’t like it either, especially when I imagine the process of preparing and decorating… especially during the season of viruses and rotaviruses… mm, no, thank you. But better a fair than a carnival – that definitely gives me the creeps.”
“I can’t imagine how first-graders prepare something themselves. Even ensuring logistics is not enough! I completely agree with you!”
“If we set aside the emotional part with the stress and time for parents, these fairs also entail significant financial expenses. It’s no secret that in many places, fairs have unfortunately turned into a competition among parents. My kids have already grown up, but looking at those huge trays that moms take out of cars in the morning…”
“There were none in kindergarten, and there are none in school either. I don’t know what these fairs are… I only remember them from my childhood.”
