We’re teachers & parents make the same mistakes… DON’T discuss us in the class Whatsapp & yes we judge your packed lunch
PARENTS and teachers have a complicated relationship.
Ideally they would all work together in harmony to help little Emily and Oscar get the best start in life possible.
In reality, the relationship can be strained as everyone tries to do what’s best for the children, but there’s often a difference of opinion as to what that is.
Australian website MamaMia spoke to teachers from both primary and secondary schools to find out the things that parents do that gets on their nerves.
They shared the key things that educators wish parents would stop doing and saying, and it made for interesting reading.
First off, the teachers said they found it really frustrating when parents chatted about them online in Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
One teacher said: “Don’t put anything in a Facebook group or chat that you wouldn’t say to the teacher’s face. If it’s in writing somewhere, chances are they’ll see or hear of it, and it is so demoralising.”
While another said that it was really frustrating when people wrote rubbish reviews of the school online because often that’s just one or two unhappy parents.
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She added that it was heartbreaking that they can’t respond to the criticism to defend their colleagues and the school.
They also said how frustrating it was when people emailed and expected a response during the day as they were busy with the children.
The educators also all agreed that they shouldn’t have to sort out issues that occurred between students on social media.
One said: “We spend so much time sorting out social media issues that did not occur on school grounds. Parents just handball it to teachers and then expect a full investigation. It’s so time consuming and exhausting.”
The teachers also said that they didn’t appreciate it when pupils brought takeaways in for their school lunch.
One said: “Stop bringing in McDonald’s at lunchtime for your child! Or hot chips for them and a ‘few friends.’ You drop the food and leave as a hero; I deal with the unnecessary fallout/division.
“Kids go home and put pressure on their parents – ‘Why don’t I get maccas and so and so does?’ etc. Then there are the friendship dramas over who were the ‘chosen friends’ deemed worthy of hot chips. It’s the last thing we need!”
The teachers also didn’t appreciate being asked to help co-ordinate your child’s events.
One disgruntled teacher said: “Please don’t ask us to orchestrate ANYTHING related to your child’s birthday party. I’ve been asked to hand out invitations, chase RSVPs and alter the invites with my knowledge of a child’s dietary requirements.”