I am a great-aunt to multiple kids. There is a birthday party every couple of months for one of them, and they each have a party every year. We did not have this growing up. Contributing food and wine and a present and counting gas, it all usually comes to about $50. I don’t have kids, but when I baby-sit for all, I do not charge. Do I have to go to all of these events?
Anonymous / Tiverton, Rhode Island
Comments
If the soccer mom gets a creepy vibe, she absolutely should pull the daughter off the team, but if it's just some generalization that male coaches are pervs, that is unfair. What she really should do is to *gasp* ASK the coach, "Hey, what got you into coaching?" She will probably find out that the reason is not creepy or suspicious at all. Here are some possibilities (all of which are true of coaches I've met over the years): His daughter used to be on the team, but she grew up and he stayed. He'd actually prefer coaching boys, and he took the girls' team until the boys' job opens up. He got recruited by a friend or relative whose daughter is on the team. His daughter died young and coaching fills the hole in his heart.
Regarding the great-aunt with the birthday parties, is it necessary to contribute to food/drink at a party where you are already expected to give a gift? It seems that the costs related to attending the parties could be reduced a bit.