Do you respect other peoples belongings?
By cream97
@cream97 (29087)
United States
May 20, 2011 3:22pm CST
I have a big problem with someone not respecting another person's belongings. Today my son had an activity called, Fun In The Sun at the park that was across from his school. His father bought him a new 6 oz bottle of sunscreen to put on while he was outside in the sun. Well, my son's bottle is almost half way gone. He told me that his teacher used his sunscreen on the rest of his classmates. He also said that only one other classmate of his had also brought his own sunscreen, and his was in the lotion form. My son had the sunscreen spray. My son has up to twelve students into his class and only him and the other student brought their own sunscreen for today. My son told me that the teachers did not use any the other student's sunscreen on the other classmates at all. So why do his teachers feel that my son should be the one to supply the other kids with sunscreen and not this other classmate? I thought that this was totally unfair. When the teacher sent me the notice about her class attending this event, they never stated that every parent is supposed to be providing sunscreen for her entire class. Each parent was responsible for applying sunscreen on their own child, or sending in the sunscreen by their child so that it can be used at the appropriate time. I am going to have a talk with his teacher next week about this and about other issues. This is not the only thing that concerns me right now. What I don't understand is why the other 10 parents did not supply sunscreen for their child to put on today. The teacher sent me a notice and I am sure that the other parents have received one too. I felt that the teacher should have at least sent home a note by my son stating that they had to use just about all of his sunscreen, because the other parents failed to supply sunscreen for their own child. Out of respect, that is what I would have done if I was a teacher. I don't have a problem with my son helping his classmates out, and I have told him this. I just feel that the teacher should have went about doing this in a more respectable way than she has. What is your take on this because right about now, I don't feel like my son's personal belongings are being respected at all. I also feel that the teacher(s) don't have respect for me as a parent too.
5 people like this
25 responses
@celticeagle (167051)
• Boise, Idaho
21 May 11
It isn't fair. They probably didn't think. If one will do it they let it happen and let that one do it, finance it, supply it, etc. I would write that teacher a note and tell her exactly what you said here. With tact ofcourse. It isn't fair. Who can afford to supply it each time?
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
21 May 11
I'm sure that your son's was used because it was a spray. The lotion might have required that she help spread it on the kids, and you know we don't want teachers touching any kids any more. (Sad world.)
I'm sure some parents paid no attention to the notices sent out. That's typical. But could it also be that some put suntan lotion on their kids before they went out? And could it be that some never use suntan lotion on their kids? I've known some who never did.
2 people like this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
21 May 11
Hi. kenzie45230. My son told me that the teacher used his sunscreen on the rest of his classmates. That explains why his bottle of sunscreen is almost half way gone. I am assuming that his classmates parent's did not apply sunscreen on them before they left from home either. That is why my son's sunscreen spray was almost used up. However this may have went, I am going to have a talk with his teacher, because when I sent him to school on Friday with a new bottle of sunscreen, it was not meant for him to share his sunscreen with his classmates at all. Being that the teacher sent out a notice telling ALL PARENTS that they should apply sunscreen on their children before leaving home, tells me that all parents are responsible for providing their own sunscreen on each of their own children. If they teacher felt like this would not be good enough, then she should have kindly asked all parents to chip in so that they can provide sunscreen for every student in their child's class.
1 person likes this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
21 May 11
In fact, I've known some who would be angry at a teacher that presumed she was supposed to put sunscreen on their kids when no sunscreen was provided. What used to be deemed safe for kids (and adults) has now been shown to not be so safe in the way of sunscreens.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (92860)
• United States
20 May 11
Thinking back to when I was a kid, there were times when I had something that would benefit the whole class and my teacher asked if I would share. I just said okay because I was a kid and didn't know if my parents would care if I shared. And my teacher took me at my word and shared with the class. Perhaps your son is afraid to tell you he gave the okay since you are upset about it? He's probably just a nice child who thought he was supposed to share since the teacher asked. Hopefully this teacher will remember to send notes next time in regards to sunblock.
2 people like this
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
20 May 11
I would always respect anyone's property and as the teacher she was looking out for the kids but if I were the teacher I would send a general letter to all parents reminding them that none of the children brought any sunscreen with the exception of two and that one child's sunscreen was used to assure their child was protected. This would encourage the parents to assure their children are protected next time and or include in the note that next time there is an outing and the children are not prepared she will not be taking them. This way the children will re-remind the parent, though it is the parents responsibility.
I also would have sent you an note of apology explaining to you of what had happened so that you were aware as a sign of appreciation for preparing your child.
In the teachers note she could actually ask the parents to bring the class a treat for having had such a gracious child share his sunscreen.
@whispers168 (768)
• United States
22 May 11
Well my child one time won a contest a school and won a few prizes.The teacher then went and wanted my child to share her prizes and give them to the students in the class that did not win anything.I am not trying to be selfish but my daughter won those prizes cause she saved those box tops for teh school.Me and my husband helped her save them for over a year.So i do not think my childs teacher should have made my child feel bad enough to give away almost all of her special prizes.I understand what your saying about the suncreen.It belonged to your child and you and your husband bought and payed for it.So yes she should have at least sent a note home explaining her self on this matter.Have that talk it might make you feel some better.
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
20 May 11
Just a thought here, maybe she asked your son and he told her that it was ok to share and that's why she did what she did? Granted she should've asked the parents to send their kids to school with sunscreen but what if your son said it was ok? Your son being a young child, he could've done that but there again, he may not. In any case, please be careful in how you talk to his teacher because she could be one of those types that takes it out on the child. That's happened to me in 4th grade and this 'b' made my life hell the whole school year and dared I tell my parents. So just be careful but firm so she doesn't become the 'b' I had in school.
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
21 May 11
Hi. CatsandDogs. Yes, I can see where you are coming from, but my son told me that he did not tell the teacher that it was okay for her to use his sunscreen on his other classmates. I do feel like I need to talk to his teacher about it, but I don't want to come off as being mean. His teacher is very nice, but I know that in her classroom she can become frustrated. I will talk to her, I am sure that I can speak to her in a professional way without creating any bad vibes. I am used to doing things like this.
1 person likes this
@CatsandDogs (13963)
• United States
21 May 11
Good good! I'm glad you didn't take me the wrong way. I only mean well even at times when I appear to have stuck a foot way in my mouth. 
1 person likes this
@cream97 (29087)
• United States
21 May 11
After I finished reading your discussion, I started laughing... Why do you always think that I am taking anything that you have said in offense?
I haven't. You are right about how I should talk to his teachers, because I have discovered that teachers will take out their anger on a child when they are angry with their parent. It has happened with my daughter recently. My daughter came back telling me some strange things that her teacher have said to her about me. So, I don't know is this is true or not, but I find it very odd that her teacher started this mess just as soon as she was supposedly written up. So she says, because, according to the Center Coordinator, she told me that she never wrote up my daughter's teacher, and she does not even know that she was written up either. I hope that my daughter's teacher did not lie to me about her being written up.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
2 Jun 11
hi c ream 97 that would have teed me off too. I would have expected the teacher to reimburse me for all the sunscreen she borrowed from your
child. It should not be up to any parent to supply the rest of the
class with sunscreen or anything else of that nature. I have never
heard of a teacher having the gall to do that. I for one agree with
you, you do not have the responsibility to provide sunscreen for amn
entire class. thats really so wrong.I agree she does not seem to have'
much respect for you as a parent. you may have to go to the superintendent of your school but I would talk to someone higher up than that teacher. I feel its not right for the teacher to use up what
belonged to your own child on other children.
1 person likes this
@jaiho2009 (39141)
• Philippines
21 May 11
hello cream,
I will feel the same.
It's not being selfish aint..but at least the teacher can slip a note to your son's bag with what she has done with your son's sunscreen.
Now,being a mother..it is my duty to provide my own kid what he/she needed for that event.
Better talk with the teacher dear...i also don't like my kids personal things to be used like that.(not being selfish huh..it's a matter of personal principle aint?)
have a great weekend 
1 person likes this
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
20 May 11
I always try to show respect for the belongings of other people. i would want someone to to show me the same respect in return. Respecting what belongs to someone else shows your character and worth to everyone around you.2 people like this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
23 May 11
Although I don't have any problems with my son helping out his classmates, or with sharing, I still think that the teacher should have sent in a note with your son explaining this. Even if they asked your son at that time, I still don't feel that they have the right to go through other people's belongings.
When you do talk to the teacher, make it clear that this in not about sharing, or the sunscreen. This is about 'respect'. Goodluck.
@starsailover (7829)
• Mexico
22 May 11
Hi cream: I agree with you that wa s areally abussive action from your son's teacher. Even if sharing things is good, the parents should know about this and they have to take care about their own children. There's not only one persone responsible on this class and she should at least send you a message explaining what she did.
ALVARO
1 person likes this
@laydee (12798)
• Philippines
21 May 11
I know how you feel, I have relatives like that and it seems they don't get what 'personal property' means, they just think that they could do whatever they want whenever they want with what isn't theirs.
I have complained countless of times with my mother and even talked to them outfront but I only get 'sorry' and then the cycle begins after a few weeks of peace.
I guess there are just people who don't know the boundaries to life and perhaps it's good that you're giving a piece of your mind to that teacher so that she'll know to respect things that aren't hers next time.
1 person likes this
@AndrewFreyne (6281)
• United Kingdom
21 May 11
Always! Whenever I am in contact with someone's possessions then it's only right that you should be respectful as I would always want others to respect my possessions! I think this is a good example of the give and take scenario, do unto others what you would have others do unto you! That's a tricky situation regarding your son, it doesn't seem right to me but it's a real crazy world that we live in! The teacher sounds as though he was thoughtless on this particular day.
I think this probably goes on day in day out in lots of different scenarios! Anyway, I like to do my little bit by always respecting others and being careful with their possessions if they ask me to perhaps look after them for a short while. Andrew
1 person likes this
@Jiabsa (511)
• India
21 May 11
People are different in character. You were bothered about your child and so sent sunscreen spray with him just for escaping from sunlight. All other parents were not bothered about it. We can't blame them. The class teacher had to write it on each student's diary. But here I can't blame your child's teacher because she was also not bothered about it. When she saw the spray in your child's hand, automatically she applied it to other children. That is natural. that means that their teacher gives personal care for each children. So I appreciate her/him. She/He is great.
Sharing is always good. It will take away the bad character of selfishness. Always be liberal. If we are ready to give, we will get things from others.
1 person likes this
@babychane (39)
•
21 May 11
I got your point in there! As a teacher,she/he should know this at first. With her actions, she can teach students how to respect and thats what she forgot by using your sons thing. It's better if the teacher realized what you wanna say or think. Its not that bad to give but we should respect others too.
@sabchat (6)
• India
21 May 11
I personally believe that the teacher could have been more responsible. But she lacked such, and as you can see most of the people are not so much responsible and have not learnt to respect others belongings. But of course one can approach the teacher and ask him to be more sensible in his or her attitude towards his or her students. One cannot feed on others.As simple as that!!!
1 person likes this
