Pre-School Valentine Pressure

[thedollymama]

Valentine's Day is amongst us once again and visions of flowers, heart-shaped boxes of candy, cheesy red stuffed frogs and "going to Jared" fill everyone's heads.  Isn't it great to know there is only one day throughout the whole year that you have to show those in your life that you love them! 

Before children, Valentine's Day used to be simple, these days its much more complicated.  With both kids in school, the pressure is on to not just give a measly little dime-store valentine, but to acquire, even create the most unique, outstanding, coolest Valentine's Day treat you can conjure up.  No, a piece of paper with Mickey and Minny Mouse on it simply will not do anymore.  We are talking, stickers, candy attachments, fake jewelry, 3-D designs, even scratch-and-sniff cards are what is expected by pre-schoolers and Kindergartners these days.   

I thought I would be strong and refuse to cave into the pressure of over-done holiday gimmicks, but truth is, I did cave.  I caved as a part of my pursuit to reach "cool mom" status.  I know that if I just take cookies to class for birthdays or Candy Corn for the Halloween party, then my poor sons will be the lame party kids.  What mother wants that for their children?  Just like any other mother, I too make the attempt to go above and beyond so my kids will be the cool kids, ultimately launching me to "cool mom" status as well (but its not all about me!). 

So, is it worth the stress of finding the perfect Valentine's Day extravagance for your kid to distribute to his Kindergarten class?  It is if your son looks up at you at the end of his school day and says, "Thanks mom, you're cool."  Happy Valentine's Day to all the cool moms (and dads) and ladies that I know!

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