so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Just wondering is it approprate to give her a little gift?

I had her in the school year 2003-2004 in sixth grade ( her 2nd timeof three times total she spent in 6th grade) she is now in 8th grade at almost 16 years old.

Anyway she is due to give birth this weekend and the daddy is fellow 8th grader ( not 15 yeras old probobly 13)

Anywa is it appropriate or not? If not why? TIA

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Honestly, I would have to say that I wouldn't give one unless I was super close with this student. Lets say 8 years from now you find out another one of your students, who had already graduated, was pregnant, would you think of sending them a gift? I dont know. This is a hard question, but I am going to go with my gut and say that I wouldn't give one (unless you are this child's mentor or something).

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

thanks for your response. no i am not her mentor but she is alwasy coming by to say hi and things like that. i think your right that was my gut to i i was just curious to hear other opinions.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

If you want to give her a gift, then do so. I don't think it's expected on her part, but if it will make you feel good then I think you should. My bet would be that this girl will need all the help and kindness she can get, even if it's just something small.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Seems like she's going to need all the help she can get - so I think a little gift would be a nice gesture. Something practical that she can use for the baby!

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Honestly, I wouldn't. Although a baby is certainly something to celebrate, I don't know if as a teacher it is something you should be encouraging (not sure if that is the right word). Plus, if the father is only 13 (or even 16), there are a lot of legal issues surrounding it.

I truly believe that pregnancy in middle/high school is "contagious" and part of a status, so I would not do anything to draw positive attention to it in that environment.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

I had a student last year and I did not! I don't think its appropriate and I don't want to make it ok and cool for the other students.!!

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

I don't think I would give a gift...although a baby is a wonderful thing....It's not so wonderful for a 16 year old to be having one.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

thanks everyone i was leaning this way and didnt want to say what some of you said for fear of staring controversy LOL... if i give her a gift i almost feel like i am saying hey good for you you got pregnant. I mean i know that there are people out there who had kids young and were great moms and the kids turned out fine however i see this all too often in my school Parents of sixth graders come up to my school and they are younger than I am.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

No, I had this situation as well as few years ago, but the girl was 17 and was a junior. If you give her a gift it is like you are telling her (and her friends) that it is okay to have a baby at such a young age.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

maybe you could get her a gift certificate for a food store to help her out this way it isn't so "YAY a BABY" and more to help her.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Personally, I don't think it would be appropriate to give a gift. I think she is way to young to be having a child and in a sense you giving a gift is like you are condoning the whole thing. Just my opinion.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

Although it's a nice gesture, I don't think it would be appropriate to give a gift.

Re: so one of my former studenst is due this weekend, yes as in due with a baby. Question inside

I personally don't think a gift would be a bad idea, or interpreted as you are supporting teenage pregnancy. Unfortunatey though, these things do happen and she probably needs all the help she can get. I think something practical is a good idea, like diapers.

It seems she probably does not have the best support system at home, otherwise she would not be in this situation. So sad.