Wednesday, November 28, 2007

Ouch!

A question for you parents out there: how do you deal with teachers with whom you disagree and principals who defend them to the hilt? I just came from a really, really hard parent/teacher/principal meeting, which his father and I had requested and, Lord have mercy, do I have a stomach ache. I need to get back to work, but I am really wiped out. Help!

(Breathing deeply: remember that your child is doing wonderfully in most areas of his life, in spite of all he's been through over the past year, coupled with his own unique little life issues ... remember that you are a good enough mom ... remember that the teacher is a beloved child of God ... remember that the principal is defending her territory and watching out for her teachers ... remember that this is not the most important thing in life ...)

8 comments:

Kirstin said...

Keep breathing, and know you are loved.

That's all I've got--except to say that I just "friended" you on Facebook. (You gave me your e-mail in a comment awhile ago, and I stuck you in Gmail just now. Lo and behold, you exist. :-)

Magdalene6127 said...

(((lj)))

Diane M. Roth said...

yes (((lj)))
what kirstin said.
keep breathing.

pj said...

Eek. I haven't experienced this kind of thing...

...yet.

(((LJ & Son)))

Wormwood's Doxy said...

LJ--can you share more? E-mail me if you don't want to talk about it here.

My ex has been a public school administrator, district superintendent, and now works in public school advocacy. I know all about this stuff from the OTHER side---and believe me, now that I'm not bound by the Public School Advocate Code of Honor, I will use *everything* I know to protect my children---and anyone else's.

Teachers and principals are mostly wonderful people who love and care for children. But there are plenty of exceptions---and they can do real damage if you don't fight them. District offices are always looking to cut costs, and special needs kids can really bear the brunt of that. It's not that they don't care---but in a world of limited resources, the squeakiest wheels get the grease.

Sometimes it just helps to know that you need to raise the volume on your "squeak."

lauraj said...

Thanks, everybody. Doxy, I'll probably take you up on your offer, but not tonight. Tonight I'm going out to rock and roll with a woman friend that I met out dancing the last time I went out for music. (Months ago, btw). Yee-haw!

episcopalifem said...

LJ - I agree with Doxy.

You are your child's only advocate.

Hugs, prayers, and hopes that you had a kick ass time last night!

Anonymous said...

Breathing is good.

And an underrated miracle is the principal who listens to parents/students and doesn't necessarily "side" with the teacher. (We are going through something with our SBC too.)

Yes, be the advocate and talk to others if necessary.

Hope dancing was great.