Isn't that precious?

Ok I have decided that I really don't like this whole private school thing. Yes I know it's a good education. Yes I know what the consequences are in public schools. Ok, but nobody tells you the down side to the whole private thing of keeping up with the social ladder. My daughter is old enough now that yes her feeling get hurt when she goes to a party and the gift she is giving is not as expensive as the other gifts. And yes in "that" environment it does matter.  I have tried to explain that mommy doesn't make a lot of money and I get what we can afford. But I can surely tell you she doesn't want to hear, "it's the thought that counts". If you think I'm over reacting, then take the last party she went to as an example. She gave the child a stuffed kitten that meowed, some stickers, and a card in which she wanted to add one of her dollars that she was saving. Another child that was there that has been a "diva" all year told her, "really Katy a stupid stuffed animal and a dollar? How lame is that?" My daughter was so heartbroken. And frankly I'm not sure I want her going to any more parties if this is going to be the attitude.
Do parents even know how they are raising their children? Even when you try to teach them right, they go to school and are influenced by all these other kids. I just don't remember it being like this when I was growing up.
I have decided that private schools are different and the message that each one represents is what is in the character they teach. My daughter went to a very christian private school in Kindergarten and I loved it. They would never tolerate the social disorder that I am dealing with now. Why is she not there now you ask? Because my parents pay for her tuition and want her in a Catholic school. We have gone head to head and I just can't win. I've spoken to all the right people and done everything I can. So at this point all I can hope for is that all of this "junk" doesn't effect my child as she grows up.
It doesn't help either that I am one of three single parents in the whole school. Don't even get me started about the cliques.......................