Friday, October 10, 2008

"That" Parent

Belly loved school last year. Over the summer, he was eager to get back. Couldn't wait for it to start again. The first day of school when he found out he had a new teacher (there are 3 pre-k teachers) it all went downhill from there. Now he doesn't want to go, doesn't like it, and is getting notes home from the teacher saying he's being "silly" and apparently his robust imagination doesn't sit well with her. He is obsessed with Link and all manner of princes and knights, thus, he pretends he's a knight. His favorite bedtime stories are the ones I tell about The Brave Prince Isaiah and the Honorable Prince Daimean. Yes, dear readers, those are the names of my little shining knights.
So this teacher told my husband that she'd like to talk to us together.He asked if there was a problem. She just repeated her request. He asked her what it's regarding, she repeated her request. So I left her a message that day explaining that we can't make it there at the same time, but we can certainly have a conference call, and I asked her to call me back. She did not. I sent a letter then, saying I know there have been some "issues" but that Isaiah is certainly not malicious or willfully bad in any way. He's in preschool, and acts accordingly. I asked AGAIN for her to call me the next day and stated I'd conference my husband on the line. No response.
Today is Friday, and Isaiah was very sad about going to school. Then the dog ate his breakfast, which contained the very last pancake in the house. It was a trying morning, to say the least. If I don't hear back from the teacher today, I'm calling the principal on Monday and requesting that he be transferred to another class. Hell, even if she calls today, I'll request it. Life is too short for my little guy to be unhappy at school.
Yes, I've turned into THAT PARENT. Oh freaking well.

6 comments:

Veronica Garcia said...

ummmmm

BITCH!!!

Was that not the right thing to say?

Kendra Field said...

Seriously, life's too short...maybe they just aren't the right match. No biggie, you be THAT parent, it's good to stand up for you kid.

Chris said...

Sometimes you have to be "That Parent' because that is what's best for your kids. Sounds like you have given her plenty of chances to talk to you. I calling the principal would be the next step to take. So go on and be "That Parent" and stick up for your kid.

Lori - Queen of Dirty Laundry said...

I've been "that parent" too - I comopletely agree with the way you are handling the situation.

Teachers are HUMAN just like the rest of us, although sometimes people don't like to admit it. Maybe this woman has a problem with your son, maybe she has a problem with you, maybe she has a problem with her boyfriend. No matter the reason, YOUR priority is rightly your son.

Hang tough, Momma.

Laura Marchant said...

Wow, as a former teacher I am shocked that she is ignoring you? I hope for her sake something is wrong with her phone because that is just not right.
When I taught first grade I would have parents ask me if I was sure their kid wasn't a problem in class. I would always try and reassure them that I understood that they were 6 year olds and that silliness comes along with being 6. Only if it was a serious problem did I contact the parents. Some teachers need to lighten up and understand that little kids are little and we need to let them enjoy it now. They grow up too fast.

Leanna said...

By no means should you feel guilty for being 'That parent'. You would not have to be if she were not being 'THAT teacher'. I think it is great the The Brave Prince Isaiah is using his imagination. You would think she would use that creativity and help build it. I love listening to my Prince with his robust imagination..and do so in awe. They are brilliant!