A Canadian primary school has come under fire for ‘cancelling’ Mother’s Day and Father’s Day for its students.
Management at Albert McMahon Elementary School made the decision in a bid to ‘nurture their students who are part of non-traditional families’, ahead of Mother’s Day on Sunday, May 14.
Parents of students at the school were sent a letter outlining the decision to cancel the festivities during school-time.
Roy Glebe, the father of one student, took to Facebook to share the letter they received, which read:
“Dear Parents,
As Mother’s Day and Father’s Day approach, we have met as a Primary (Grade 1 and 2) team to discuss our core values. In an effort to celebrate diversity, inclusivity and also nurture our students who are part of non-traditional families, we have decided to encourage those celebrations to take place at home. Due to this, the children will not be making gifts at school to give on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. We feel each family knows the best way to celebrate with their own family.
Thank you for understanding.”
Roy couldn’t help but share his deep ‘disappointment’ over the move, lamenting the fact that he and his partner will not be receiving crafts or sentimental gifts from their little ones this year.
“This will be the first year that we don’t get gifts crafted with love from our kids, and since we only have one little one now, it makes it all that much worse. I don’t understand why we, as Canadians, need to give up our traditions that have been passed through generations,” he wrote.
Others agreed with him, in the comment section of his post. Indeed, one admitted that she is ‘very, very sad’ about the decision.
“There is nothing more gratifying than watching the excitement on your child’s face when they present you their gift with love. They are so proud of themselves,” wrote the mother in question.
Others, meanwhile, agree with the sentiment and logic behind the school’s controversial decision.
“I understand how wonderful it is to receive these gifts from children, but as an adult living with the loss of a parent, I can’t imagine being in a room full of people making Father’s Day cards. I don’t think I could handle that at 30, let alone 10. I would probably vomit and leave that room in tears,” wrote one woman.
Another chimed in: “Crazy! But I think it has more to do with single parents and kids not having a mum/dad, maybe?”
Well, what are your thoughts, mums?
