Managing School Fundraisers Between Your Twins

Last updated on February 27th, 2024 at 03:03 pm

The school year has started, and along with it the dreaded fundraisers and classroom competitions. My twins brought home folders stuffed with pleas to help them win a popsicle party by sending in box tops, or sell the most wrapping paper for a chance at a “special prize.”

The way I deal with this may not be the traditional or most popular way, but it works for our family. I have typically opted to let just one of them participate in a certain contest at a time – knowing that there will be another opportunity for the other one later in the year – and explain that plan to each of them with an “it is what it is” attitude to stave off complaints. We often talk about the rewards of being a twin, and alternately also discuss the challenges that arise with two kids doing practically the same things in each of their classrooms. The tactic of openly discussing the dilemmas is employed often with my school-age twins. I learned long ago that it is impossible to race from classroom to classroom in an effort to visit both of their school parties.

Now, I volunteer for two parties a year – one in each of their rooms – and they know from the get-go that I will be with the other that day. I also refuse to buy two identical yearbooks in elementary school. I spring for the special engraving on the front and get both of their names on it, and then designate the front or back of the book for autographs for each of them depending on who got what the year before. I will, eventually, let them have their own – but for now, I’m not willing to spend that extra money for a book that will be forgotten before the summer even begins.

I have been pleasantly surprised this year, however, to not yet have had to make them choose who gets to try to win the classroom prize. I off-handedly mentioned to my daughter’s room mother that we had already linked our school card at the grocery store on behalf of my son’s class (they were competing to see which class had the highest participant percentage). She responded with, “oh, good, we will just count it for both of their classes.” I found out that they would allow box tops to work the same way. Score! It definitely doesn’t hurt to talk to your children’s teachers and/or room moms to find out if they will make that concession for twins. Try it for school plays and conferences, too! Our teachers have been willing to put the kiddos next to each other for performances so we don’t have to seek them out on opposite sides of the stage, and have scheduled conferences back to back without me even asking. I know that won’t work with everything, though. They can’t count the same number of chocolate bars or cookie dough for both of them if they only sell a certain number.

Thankfully, that also won’t be a problem for us this year – and that brings me to the best suggestion! Our school has done away with traditional fundraisers (other than the seemingly constant competitions between classes), and has started an “invest in your child” drive. Basically, they ask each parent to make a donation for the entire year in lieu of doing fundraisers. If your school isn’t doing this – take it to the PTO and beg them to make it happen! At the beginning of school, they ask for a per child donation, with a promise that we won’t be asked to beg grandparents (although they ask them for them to invest in your child, too) to make purchases, or peddle anything door-to-door to neighbors. I’m more than willing to write a check to avoid having uneaten popcorn tins around my house for years. If it isn’t an option for your school – don’t be afraid to talk to the teachers, and if not talk to your kids – they’ll understand!

Shellie Fossick is “mom” to 9 year old boy/girl twins. She is also the Development Director for a non-profit organization that provides high-quality early care and education for more than 400 low-income children in Middle Tennessee. She lives in Nashville, TN with her husband and two children.

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