Teachers: What is your biggest problem with parents?

Question

I'm a mother of four (with a fifth on the way). Right now I haven't had too much experience with my kids in school. My oldest is starting 1st grade and my next born is starting kindergarten. But I was just wondering... what do you think parents do that make your jobs harder? What could parents do to be more helpful? etc.. just general feelings.

Also if you'v got the time... what is the most frustrating thing about being a teacher and what is the most rewarding?

question is for teachers of ALL grade levels.

Answer 1

- Parents that don't care enough really upset me.  I think I care more how students do in my class.

- Parents who promise a change and nothing changes.

- Parents who expect you to bend over backwards for their child, despite the fact that you have 120 other students

- Parents who expect you to work miracles even though they can't get their child to do a thing they say.

Most frustrating; caring more how students do then the students themselves.

Most rewarding; meeting about 80 awesome students and getting to be part of their lives for a little while.  Some kids have great parents and really grow up to be smart, funny well rounded kids.  They make it worth it.

Answer 2

Itz really annoying when parentz expect you to give special attention to their child all day like there arent any other children in the room or even when the parentz themselves demand too much of your time b4 and after school. I dont mind chatting with parentz during pick-up and drop-off times however I dont alwayz have cute stories to tell.

Answer 3

I'm not a teacher, but my mother is.

One time, the school board was planning on firing her, or, "letting her go".  She was fully ready to accept it, even though she loved the kids.  However, because she is so popular and such a great person and teacher, her student's parents fought the school board and superintendent to keep her (even her coworkers did).  Reluctantly, the school board accepted this, however, now they have started to deprive my mother of priveledges--for example, they won't even allow her to have an extra textbook for her own use!  Her bosses have even started to keep track of how many times she's late, and how many minutes she's late.  Because her students' parents caused so much trouble for the school board, she is now in quite a predicament.

I don't think that you should get involved in anything concerning the school board or the teacher.

Another thing that teachers find troublesome is when the parents ask for the teacher to create a whole new material or agenda for their child.  They won't mind going a little out of the way  to assist them in some material, but when the student needs a whole new lesson plan, they find that tiresome.

Teachers also don't like it when parents push their students too hard.  This puts stress on the children, and their grades will actually start to falter.  

My mother says that the most frustrating is actually parent involvement (but she says that the school board tops everything), and the most rewarding is the children.

Hope I helped,

Phoenix

Answer 4

The most frustrating thing is when parents don't hold their own children accountable for their mistakes.  I've discovered students plagiarizing whole papers only to have the parents come in and actually make excuses for their kids.

It undermines my authority, and the authority of the entire academic community.

Answer 5

1.  Parents who don't create a stable home for their children.  

2.  Parents who will fight you to the death that their baby didn't do anything wrong  (when their baby obviously does things wrong because s/he's a human being).

Answer 6

Parents expect me to make accomodations for their children that are too demanding. For example, they want special homework packets targeted to their child's needs. I am not a private tutor; I teach a room full of other students too. If they want extra packets, they can buy workbooks at Lakeshore or drugstore workbooks. I don't mind ocassional packets, but the extra copying and assembling of packets takes more out of my prep time than I'm willing to spare.

I also don't appreciate it when parents blame other kids for their child's behavior. Many parents insist that their child is not paying attention because "another child" is distracting him/her and, hence, want their child to sit by him or herself. I can't have every child sit by him or herself; there is no space for that!

Finally, it bugs me when parents complain that I send home book orders. They refuse to spend one dollar on a little Scholastic book but then their kid comes to school with 50 dollar shoes and a basketball jersey. Then when their child is below average in reading, they write me a note and tell me I can keep their kid in at recess to tutor him (yes, this is a true story). Where are these parents' priorities? They think it's my job to raise their kids let alone teach them. They take the credit when things go right and blame me when things go wrong. You can't win with parents many times.

Thanks for being concerned.

Answer 7

The biggest problem with parents is that they have had children. Without children the problems do not arise.

Answer 8

Every teacher is different but for me the most rewarding thing is when I see children achieve something they never thought they could (like reading a sentence/page/book).

The most frustrating thing is when you have a child in your class who has behavioural issues and the parent(s) blame the teacher/other kids/other parents (basically everyone except their child) for their childs actions.

I think the most helpful thing a parent can do is be realistic about their child's capabilities. A quick 5 min catch up about how their child is settling into school/doing at school every now and then is helpful for both teacher and parent. As for younger grades,  volunteering for reading groups/art groups whatever they have at school is REALLY helpful. Older grades, parents can volunteer for the canteen/ take homw library books and cover them (very handy if you cant give time during school hours). An extra set of hands is always welcome!!  

Thanks for thinking of us. I wish all parents were like you!

Answer 9

The worst thing a parent can do is act as an enabler for his/her child, always making excuses for their child's actions.  This is a complete disservice to the child.  It keeps the child from learning responsibility and doing his/her very best work.

The best thing a parent can do is stay in contact (think teamwork) with the teacher and work with his/her children at home.

The most frustrating thing about being a teacher is by far, all of the paperwork.

The most rewarding part of teaching is making a difference in a child's life!

Answer 10

Hi! Well I am a eigth grader moving onto high school and would like to answer part of your answer about the parent part.

My opinion is that when you push your children to much they start to get little fustrated as they get older. I believe that when you don't push are children in school to much that they won't have that much problems.

Answer 11

Well I've been teaching preschool four years now, and the most helpful thing that parents have done is take projects home that needed prep work done, such as cutting, labeling, pre assembly like that.  I have two children of my own so any seemingly minor help like that really helps a TON!  The parents who are not involved in any part of the childs education are the hardest to deal with because the children begin to feel left out really quickly.  Even coming in during a party day or just dropping off a special treat makes a child's day because they feel special.  

The most rewarding thing about teaching for me is watching the children really blossom throughout the school year, such as going from a quiet, shy child to someone who feels comfortable enought to talk to others and share a laugh.  Also, watching them learn the concepts that they need before moving on...The frustrating thing?  When some life changes are happening and I'm not told about it...and the child breaksdown at the drop of a hat and I don't know why.  Please, if something is happening at home (no matter how small it may seem to you) let your preschool teacher (kindergarten, all the way through preferably 4th) know so that he/she can come up with ideas to help the child deal.

Answer 12

The most frustrating thing for me is when parents won't support what you are doing in school at home.   I teach fifth grade special education and one of my math groups operate at about a late second/early third grade level.  I am trying to reinforce skills they need like money, two digit subtraction and multiplication facts.  One example is a mother who refuses to let her child do multiplication homework (easy stuff like 3x3, 4x5) because he isn't ready for it!   He's in going on to sixth grade in a month and can't multiply because his mom tells him he doesn't have to do it.  

So my biggest problem is parents who tell their kids they are exempt from what we are doing in school.

Answer 13

All parents believe their child is perfect and can't do anything wrong.  It is frustrating at times.