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#Post#: 45255--------------------------------------------------
The Preemptive Thank You
By: DaDancingPsych Date: January 10, 2020, 9:28 am
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I made a mistake and I am not sure if I should correct it. I
work with children and receive Christmas gifts from some of the
kiddos. Beyond being the appropriate thing to do, my employer
also requires me to write a thank you note for each gift
received. Families with multiple children, will often give me
one gift from all. However, I have always written separate notes
to each child. (Every kid loves receiving their own note and
that allows me to personalize them to each child.)
The Smith’s previously were one of those families who sent me
one gift from both children. During my last week with the kids
prior to the holiday, I saw the older Smith child (11 years old)
on my first night of the week. No gift was given. On my second
night, the younger Smith did bring a gift, but the tag read
“From: Younger Smith”. Did they forget Older’s name? Was the
gift only from Younger? I pondered what to do. I decided to
write both Older and Younger a note. In Younger’s, I
specifically mentioned the gift. In Older’s, I thanked her for
always having holiday spirit, but never mentioned anything
materialistic. I figured that if the gift was meant to be from
both or just Younger that I would be covered this way.
I waited to deliver Older’s note until she was walking out the
door to go home (the next time that I saw her.) I figured that
if another gift was coming that I would receive it prior to then
(but really was not anticipating anything.) I handed Older her
note and her face was funny. (The kids know what the notes are.)
She then disappeared and returned with a gift for me and the tag
read “From: Older Smith”. Opps! I basically gave her a thank you
note before I received the gift (and a bad one at that as it did
not actually mention the gift!)
What would be the polite thing to do? Should I write a follow-up
note and mention the gift? (Older would get two notes and
younger only one.) Does my original note count even if it was
delivered at the wrong time? Should I write another note, but
more apologize and explain myself? (At 11 she might get it.) I
don't want to seem ungrateful or that I expect gifts. (Actually,
I wish families would not waste their money on me.) Thoughts?
#Post#: 45257--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Preemptive Thank You
By: gramma dishes Date: January 10, 2020, 9:49 am
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Personally I think you're good. You did write a note even
though you assumed there would be no accompanying gift and that
was very, very nice of you. Above and beyond.
If you were to write a second note at this point, it might seem
that you were pointing out that Older Smith had perhaps
forgotten to give you his/her gift in a timely fashion. You
wouldn't be wrong to write a perhaps "corrected" note, but if it
were me I'd let it go.
#Post#: 45258--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Preemptive Thank You
By: bopper Date: January 10, 2020, 10:11 am
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I would not send another note, but tell her "It was kind of
funny that I gave you a thank you note before the gift...but I
thought the gift <younger sibling> was maybe from the both of
you. Once again thank you so much for the <gift>, I can't wait
to <use gift>."
#Post#: 45260--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Preemptive Thank You
By: Hmmm Date: January 10, 2020, 10:35 am
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I agree with Bopper. That is how I would handle it.
But I'm curious, did the gift tag have your name on it? Is it
possible that she decided upon receiving your thank you note,
that she needed to give you a gift? Do you work with Older
sibling as much as you do with Younger sibling?
#Post#: 45267--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Preemptive Thank You
By: DaDancingPsych Date: January 10, 2020, 12:29 pm
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[quote author=Hmmm link=topic=1578.msg45260#msg45260
date=1578674117]
I agree with Bopper. That is how I would handle it.
But I'm curious, did the gift tag have your name on it? Is it
possible that she decided upon receiving your thank you note,
that she needed to give you a gift? Do you work with Older
sibling as much as you do with Younger sibling?
[/quote]
I am 90% sure that the gift tag had my name on it.
My note may have reminded her that she *needed to give me the
gift and that may have been the funny the face that I got. "Oh
yeah! I need to give Da her gift!" I don't think my note made
anyone go out get my a gift. (I handed her the note. She walked
out of the room and into the cloakroom. She instantly returned
with the gift.)
*Needed as in she probably forgot to give it to me holiday week,
almost forgot note week, but the note jogged her memory.
I basically work the same amount with both siblings. Because
Older sibling is... well... older, her time with me is slightly
longer. (This would be true with all kids of her age.) And I've
known Older sibling slightly longer, because I've worked with
her since she was Younger sister's age. No really the interacts
are quite similar. (The gifts were also similar/complimentary.)
#Post#: 45361--------------------------------------------------
Re: The Preemptive Thank You
By: DaDancingPsych Date: January 12, 2020, 10:45 am
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Thanks everyone! I have decided that I am good as far as the
thank you note. Your thoughts were quite reassuring!
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