Are teachers okay to be hugged at school?

[Anonymous]

My son has troubles with personal space, and he loves to hug teachers that he likes at school. We are still working on it, but that's the way he is now.It is not everyday, but he does it on the first meet today, and I am not sure it surprised his teacher or not. He also hugs summer camp male/female counselors at the last day of camp. Do teachers at school love to be hugged? Any age limit that it is making teachers uncomfortable? He is 3rd grader now.

[Anonymous]

Totally fine! He’s a lovey little kid. Any good 3rd grade teacher wouldn’t squash that. He sounds like a sweety.

[Anonymous]

My youngest is extra affectionate and hugged teachers and staff and occasionally classmates’ parents throughout elementary school. I only ever heard “awwws” about it, and am relatively confident that I would have been told through the grapevine if anyone was bothered by it.

He is in 5th grade now and getting less exuberant, but I think even in 5th it’s still viewed as sweet/non-obtrusive.

[Anonymous]

At that age, no, it's not really ok. You need to teach him boundaries.

[Anonymous]

Teachers shouldn't hug back. Only fake side hugs are allowed.

[Anonymous]

It's n9t that we don't want hugs (tho some don't), it's about modeling personal space. He does sound like a sweet kid, but he should not ge forced into accepting an unwanted hug and neither should anyone else. Third grade is really aging out of this, especially if there is no prior relationship yet. I would start by explaining that he should ask first-- can I give you a hug? And the teacher, I assume, will agree. But it's getting to the time where it's unusual and others may not enjoy the frequent touch.

[Anonymous]

It depends on the teacher and the relationship.

[Anonymous]

He needs to learn boundaries even if they they like it or pretend to like it.

[Anonymous]

The teachers are capable of helping him learn appropriate boundaries.

[Anonymous]

You should teach him to ask, but most teachers are okay with hugs from little kids. Heck, my 6th grader still hugs her Kindergarten teacher when she sees her in the hallway

[Anonymous]

Some teachers like it. Most in the younger grades do. I sometimes see my former students upstairs and sometimes they will hug me. I’d say I’d be surprised to have a 3rd grade boy come up to hug me though in front of other kids.

[Anonymous]

I love when my students hug me -- some older tgan yours! But, I am an independent arts teacher, so it may be a little different. I'd hope it would be ok. I think the teacher would let you know if they are uncomfortable. Maybe at parents night note "he's a hugger!" on the "what should I know about your child" card.

[Anonymous]

Children deserve affection
I wouldn't worry about the teachers. I'd worry about bullying from other students (bad seeds or poorly raised). 3rd grade is running out the clock on that.

[Anonymous]

I'm an assistant principal and hug kids all the time. Not an issue

[Anonymous]

I do side hugs with my students.