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I'm a mum & I was torn to pieces over the gift I gave my kid's teacher – people called me cheap but it's not about money

I'm a mum & I was torn to pieces over the gift I gave my kid's teacher – people called me cheap but it's not about money

The Irish Sun6 days ago
A MUM has hit back after being torn apart for the gifts she got her kid's teacher.
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Heidi Powell shared the gifts she got the teachers to thank them
Credit: Instagram
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But not everyone was thrilled with her gift
Credit: Supplied
But the clip has recently resurfaced after being filmed three years ago as parents seek out ideas for
It has become common for parents to buy gifts for teachers as a thank you for all they've done.
But it seems Heidi's gifts didn't hit the mark.
Taking to Instagram, she shared an image of the goodies she got for the teachers.
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In the image, it showed three wrapped sweets all themed around school.
The first was a sugar cookie iced to look like a sheet of paper with an 'A' grade.
She also picked up a sweet shaped as a pencil as well as a red
apple
.
But her sweet gesture received an overwhelming negative response.
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One person said 'this irritates me to no end' and urged parents 'don't give teachers s**t like this' as they thought that cash or gift cards was a more appropriate reward.
Someone else said the post had them 'riled up' because they'd once been the person who had agonised over a 'perfect, most thoughtful end-of-year gift'.
Watch as ex-teacher reveals why she quit and doubled her income
They said they now look to see if the school has an Amazon Wish List of supplies to really help teachers out and spare them from needing to fork over their own money.
Another parent said the best sort of gift was 'a thoughtful note from the student', and if it was going to be something material, it had better be a gift card or cash.
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Others said they thought Powell's gift of brightly coloured sweets had been chosen to 'look
nice
on Instagram'.
A baker even chipped in to say that the 'cutesy sweets offerings' might look nice, but were probably not great to eat, saying they were pretty much 'inedible' and coated in 'a really cheap sugar product that can hold a lot of dye'.
Quite a few teachers chipped in to say that food would probably end up being thrown away or deposited in the teacher's lounge and they said 'please no mugs' to parents or pupils on the lookout for gift ideas.
Despite the negative comments, the mum praised teachers for their hard work over the year, proving it was the thought that counts.
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Teacher Gift Ideas
IF you're stuck for ideas on what to give your teacher for Christmas, here's some ideas...
Personalised Stationery
: A set of notecards or a planner with their name on it.
Gift Vouchers
: For popular bookshops, coffee shops, or online retailers.
Handwritten Thank You Note
: A heartfelt message from you or your child expressing gratitude.
Classroom Supplies
: High-quality pens, markers, or a decorative organiser.
Homemade Treats
: A batch of cookies, a cake, or a jar of homemade jam.
Potted Plant
: A small plant for their desk or classroom window.
Relaxation Kit
: Include items like a scented candle, bath salts, and a cosy blanket.
Books
: A bestseller or a classic, depending on their taste.
Customised Mug
: With a funny or inspirational quote related to teaching.
Experience Day
: A voucher for an afternoon tea, a local event, or a workshop.
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People say I'm setting women back, but they're mums relying on boyfriends or benefits says Bonnie Blue in shocking chat
People say I'm setting women back, but they're mums relying on boyfriends or benefits says Bonnie Blue in shocking chat

The Irish Sun

timean hour ago

  • The Irish Sun

People say I'm setting women back, but they're mums relying on boyfriends or benefits says Bonnie Blue in shocking chat

'DON'T stand too close to me, you might catch something,' quips Bonnie Blue as we pose for pics. As The Sun's Sexpert, there's not much that shocks me. I've been to swinging parties, witnessed 50-strong orgies and even taken part in an orgasm contest in New York. 5 Bonnie Blue is the disturbing reality of what happens when pornography and the world of 'influencers' collide Credit: Olivia West 5 Bonnie's controversial bonkfest during Nottingham Freshers' Week made headlines Credit: Tim Stewart 5 Bonnie has been branded as dangerous for women as toxic masculinity influencer Andrew Tate Credit: Instagram You could say I'm unshockable, and I'd have agreed with you — until Bonnie burst on to the scene. I've covered the industry long enough to know what's what, and I count porn stars, escorts and OnlyFans models as friends. But such is Bonnie's determination to perform the most degrading stunts imaginable, she's a tough one to defend. Her shock claim to fame — She has even been branded as dangerous for women as toxic masculinity influencer 'I love sex with public' So today, I'm sitting down with the 26-year-old to find out what really drives her — and maybe even get under her skin. Readers will know that The Sun does not make a habit of interviewing porn stars. But Bonnie is more than that. She is the disturbing reality of what happens when pornography and the world of 'influencers' collide, just as much a staple on the unregulated social media pages your kids scroll through as she is on adult sites. Bonnie is riding a new wave of anything-goes promiscuity that's genuinely worrying — and that's coming from someone who has built a career on being 'sex positive'. Real name Tia Billinger, she grew up in Draycott, a village between Derby and Nottingham, and was virtually unknown until she catapulted to fame in October last year. Bonnie Blue CANCELS disgusting 'petting zoo' event after extreme backlash, but reveals 10 THOUSAND men applied Her extraordinary story is laid bare in new fly-on-the-wall Channel 4 documentary, 1,000 Men And Me: The With immaculately blow-dried blonde hair and a preppy style, she's far from the stereotypical porn star. There's an old-money vibe about her — part of her appeal no doubt, and the shock factor. I ask her about being Claiming to be inspired by David Blaine, she wanted to tie herself up inside a glass box in the centre of London, which would be 'open for the public' to 'It's frustrating, I've never broken a single f * g rule,' she fumes. 'I went from "They [OnlyFans] would prefer me to do a cooking show or a dog's yoga retreat, but it's a sex site. People say I'm setting women back, but when I check their profiles, they're often stay-at-home mums relying on a boyfriend or benefits. Bonnie Blue 'I love having sex with the public and that is not going to stop. OnlyFans has tried to cancel me, but it's done the opposite.' So does Bonnie think she's setting women back with such degrading behaviour, teaching young men that it's OK to treat them as objects? 'I say I'm not a feminist, but a lot of my views are,' she says. 'I believe in equality, women being in control and not feeling intimidated by men. I do what I want, when I want, and I feel safe doing it. 'People say I'm setting women back, but when I check their profiles, they're often stay-at-home mums relying on a boyfriend or benefits — and I think, hang on a second.' Bonnie's controversial bonkfest during Nottingham Uni Freshers' Week, which saw her have sex with 150 18-year-olds — many of whom she claimed were virgins — made news. But it was her stunt in January that really caused outcry, as she claimed to have slept with over 1,000 men in 12 hours, working out at less than 45 seconds per fella. 5 Bonnie's shocking claim to fame was bedding 1,000 men in 12 hours Credit: bonnie_blue_xox/Instagram 5 A young Bonnie with with her ex Ollie Credit: Facebook She later revealed she was left covered in bruises and bite marks from the sex marathon and issued a thank-you to 'all the barely legal, barely breathing and the husbands'. One of the first things that strikes me about Bonnie is how tiny she is. When I go to give her a hug, she's so delicate and pint-sized I worry I might crush her. I can't help but think about her being thrown around in her infamous gang bangs and wonder how she wasn't seriously damaged. I imagine my young kids — already exposed to social media — stumbling across her content and shudder. I'd be heartbroken if my three-year-old daughter ever thought this was inspirational, and asked Bonnie what led her down this path. 'Everyone wants me to say I've been through something traumatic in my past,' she says. 'But it's not true. They just can't accept that I want to do this because I enjoy sex.' I enjoy sex, too, but I find it hard to believe anyone could genuinely enjoy a 1,000-strong orgy. I ask her if she actually orgasms during these stunts and how her body felt the next day. 'Oh it's completely hit and miss,' she explains. 'Even in my personal sex life, I have to remind them how I like it. "Most of these men are inexperienced, so I don't, but I enjoy giving them a good experience. My jaw hurt more than I did down there after the 1,000 challenge,' she adds nonchalantly. 'My legs were burning, too.' Some guys were just lonely and wanted a conversation, other guys wanted me to strip down within 60 seconds with a sex toy inside of me. Bonnie Blue Bonnie says she ordered a burger and watched Dexter on Netflix that evening as she was 'too excited to sleep', then treated herself to a massage and facial at a spa the next day. Another Brit OnlyFans content created, Unlike Bonnie, Lily, from Derbyshire, claims the experience left her in tears — yet she still pledged to go a step further and sleep with 1,000 men in 24 hours. But Bonnie nailed the challenge first — and in half the time. The pair previously made joint content, but Lily has since claimed their views 'don't quite align'. Last month, 'His opinion is that women have fought for years to be in control and have their say and do what they want with their bodies. I do exactly that. So if that's the outcome, so be it.' Like Andrew, she's a Marmite figure — loved by some, loathed by others — and receives hundreds of death threats a day online. 'Last time I went out by myself was six months ago,' she explains. 'It's not safe.' It's hard not to find this incredibly sad. What's the point of making big money if you can't actually enjoy it? 'I want to be the best at what I do,' explains Bonnie. 'I'm not driven by material things and would rather be at home doing a puzzle than glammed up at a red carpet event.' 'Part-time nun' When she's not filming controversial content, she spends her time fishing, surfing and doing jigsaws. She says the only time she's been hurt was when someone uploaded a photo of her late grandad and falsely claimed he had sexually assaulted her. 'My family are getting double looks in the street,' she revealed. 'It made me realise the impact I was having on my family.' So how did someone like Bonnie, who seems to have it all, end up here? 'Growing up, I loved dancing,' she explains. 'But you've got to have money to make it. All the big dance schools are in London and I couldn't even afford a train ticket there.' Bonnie was studying midwifery before she dropped out of college and worked for the NHS doing recruitment finance. She later moved to 'The move really helped me become a sex worker,' she recalls. 'It got me out of that small-town mindset where you're constantly comparing yourself to others.' She was inspired by women on TikTok flaunting their sex work earnings and decided to give it a go. 'I wanted money, freedom and to feel in control,' she says. Bonnie was racked with nerves before starting, but her ex-husband was her rock. 'My palms were sweating. I had no idea what I was doing — I didn't even know all the sex terms,' she recalls. 'I had a separate laptop next to me and any time someone asked something I didn't understand, I'd quickly Google it because I was too embarrassed to admit it. They expect me to drop my pants because they're famous. Bonnie Blue 'Some guys were just lonely and wanted a conversation, other guys wanted me to strip down within 60 seconds with a sex toy inside of me.' 'We had sex three or four times a week after watching Netflix,' she recalls. 'My friends would say they had a threesome at the weekend and I'd say, 'Oh my God that's crazy. I'd never even had a one night stand.' Bonnie separated from Ollie last year and their divorce will be finalised next month. 'I'll always love and care for my ex dearly,' she explains. 'But I didn't look at him in the end and think, 'Oh I want to have sex with you'. We became brother and sister in the end.' Bonnie tells how big celebs slide into her DMs, but she's not interested. 'They expect me to drop my pants because they're famous' she laughs. 'But unless they'll film content and be identified, I'm not going to sleep with them. I'm like a part-time nun. I'm one extreme to the next.' She would like to start dating, but it's not a priority. 'I've done what people think is happiness,' she says. 'Marriage, buying a house, a nice car, having money — and they didn't make me happy.' 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Chart topper Tyla confesses huge success of hit record Water left her feeling ‘trapped' as she releases hot new track
Chart topper Tyla confesses huge success of hit record Water left her feeling ‘trapped' as she releases hot new track

The Irish Sun

time2 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

Chart topper Tyla confesses huge success of hit record Water left her feeling ‘trapped' as she releases hot new track

BECOMING an overnight sensation has proved to be a blessing and a curse for Tyla. The South African singer felt 'trapped' after her single Water reached No4 in the UK charts and was a global hit in 2023. Advertisement While her self-titled debut album was a top 20 hit the following year. At an exclusive Q&A in London last week, she explained: 'For a while, especially last year, I felt so trapped. 'Like, 'Oh my word, I blew up and I just have to have everything right and everything has to be perfect now because the world is looking.' 'It was kind of stressful for me.' Advertisement Read More on MUSIC But on Friday she released her brilliantly fun and upbeat four-track EP WWP — which stands for We Wanna Party — and it has finally given her the chance to 'experiment.' She said: 'I wasn't planning on doing this. I was just making music at the beginning of the year. It was mainly for an album. 'But as I got closer to summer, I was like, 'Hey the songs I was making were too good . . . where are the summer songs? 'We need some summer songs right now' and I am just too excited to hold on to them. Advertisement Most read in Bizarre 'I really just want people to hear it and party to it, and see how I've grown through the years and just see who I am now.' And it seems like she's more confident than ever, which isn't something she will apologise for. African singer Tyla's full-length Balmain gown, covered in sand, certainly caused problems at the 2024 Met Gala Tyla — who will perform at All Points East festival in London's Victoria Park next month — said: 'I just always knew I had something in me. 'I just always had that kind of peace knowing that this is the life I'm gonna live. Advertisement 'I don't let anybody or anything limit me or put me in a box. I think I'm just confident. 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I've splashed £1million to get the world's smallest waist -all my organs moved around because of it but I'm not done yet
I've splashed £1million to get the world's smallest waist -all my organs moved around because of it but I'm not done yet

The Irish Sun

time3 hours ago

  • The Irish Sun

I've splashed £1million to get the world's smallest waist -all my organs moved around because of it but I'm not done yet

A WOMAN has revealed that she has spent over £1 million trying to get the world's smallest waist. Aleira Avendano, 33 has spent two decades cinching her waist down to just 18 inches, 16 inches smaller than the average British woman's. Advertisement 2 Aleira wants to have the world's skinniest waist Credit: Instagram aleiraoficial_sexy 2 She's spent £1 million on her unique look Credit: Instagram aleiraoficial_sexy The Florida-based yoga instructor has achieved her tiny waist by wearing a corset, and is determined to beat the current record held by 86-year-old Aleira's controversial methods have caused her internal organs to "shift and adjust" to new spots. However, despite the dangers, Aleira, who is originally from Venezuela, isn't ready to quit. "I find it challenging when it comes to buying clothes, as nothing fits," she told NeedToKnow. Advertisement Read more real life stories "My sizes are unique, and I have naturally wide hips." "I have to have clothes custom-made for me. It's been a major investment – enhancements, treatments and healthy food. "A huge commitment. Honestly, my body should be insured." As well as spending £1 million on her waist whittling mission, Aleira has also spent £471,000 on cosmetic surgeries, including seven boob jobs, four nose jobs and veneers. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous Aleira previously claimed that all woman "should have plastic surgery to be truly beautiful." And despite the health risks, Aleira has encouraged others to try and get a waist like hers. The 45-second trick to get a snatched waist that Love Island star swears by At the start of her waist cinching journey, Aleira wore a corset six hours a day, but she has now ramped this up to 23 hours. Wearing a corset comes with a myriad of issues, such as breathing difficulties, organ compression and muscle atrophy. Advertisement The model has now launched her own brand of shapewear, to help people achieve her "one of a kind look". "My shapewear line will change many lives" she said. What are the dangers of wearing corsets? Wearing corsets, a fashion practice that dates back centuries, can pose significant medical risks despite their aesthetic appeal. One of the primary concerns is the potential for internal organ damage. Corsets, especially when tightly laced, can compress the ribs and exert pressure on internal organs such as the liver, stomach, and intestines. This compression can lead to displacement and deformation of these organs, potentially causing digestive issues, reduced lung capacity, and impaired circulation. Breathing difficulties are another serious risk associated with corset use. The constriction of the rib cage can limit the expansion of the lungs, leading to shallow breathing and decreased oxygen intake. Over time, this can result in respiratory problems and reduced stamina. In extreme cases, prolonged use of tightly laced corsets can lead to conditions like atelectasis, where parts of the lungs collapse due to inadequate ventilation. Additionally, corsets can affect the musculoskeletal system. The constant pressure and altered posture imposed by a corset can weaken core muscles, leading to muscle atrophy and decreased strength. This can result in long-term back pain and poor posture once the corset is removed. There is also a risk of nerve compression, which can lead to numbness, tingling, and in severe cases, nerve damage. While modern corsets are often designed to be less restrictive than their historical counterparts, the potential health risks remain. It is essential for individuals to be aware of these risks and to use corsets sparingly and with caution. Consulting with medical professionals before incorporating corsets into regular wear can help mitigate some of these risks and ensure that any adverse effects are promptly addressed. "It's a gentle product with incredible results, created by me and inspired by the story of my own body." Aleria added: "I don't miss my old figure at all. Advertisement "People react in different ways. "Some follow me, some feel nervous, and others admire me or see my body as something crazy." She added that men "can't get enough" of her "exotic" figure.

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