As a teacher, I have had my fair share of dealing with parents. Some parents are amazing and supportive, bringing me Starbucks or encouraging me in various ways. Other parents I never see but still support me and their child through communication with me. And then there are those who seem to be out-to-lunch and just don't care. I can see it in the way their children dress or through other manifestations. I try not to judge, but I must confess it can be hard. For the past few years, I have been on the parent side since Jack's been in preschool, but I was slightly spoiled in that I worked there so the teachers generally didn't judge me (or so I assume) based on his mismatched socks, shorts in the winter or long sleeves and pants on 80 degree days, shoes on the wrong feet, or constant snotty nose.
I think we've entered a whole new world with kindergarten.
I went to eat lunch with Jack on Friday, which was a great way to see the kids in his class and to have some reassurance that they all seem like pretty nice kindergarteners. The classroom assistant (who seems like a very sweet lady) came up to me and, in a hushed voice, said, "I've been helping Jack blow his nose today, and it's been kind of green." I said, "Oh yeah, he has a cold." She replied, in a kind but wise manner, "Well, I just know that sometimes that can mean a sinus infection so I just wanted to let you know."
And then it hit me. She thinks I may be one of those parents--the unaware, needs help, clueless parents. I think I had better double my amazing, supportive, encouraging e-mails to Jack's teacher so that she knows I'm not out-to-lunch! Maybe I should also stock up on vitamins so we don't have these conversations all winter!
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