Mom wants me to do a Zoom even though it's a snow day

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Doesn't your workplace have a policy on that?

Follow the policy. It is a business, not a personal relationship.

It's very much a personal relationship between the teacher and child.

[Anonymous]

"I know the school is closed and you are off but I'm still going try and guilt you into having a zoom meeting with my larla and hope you make an exemption for me because I don't know how to keep their attention while reading a book."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You’re a very kind teacher, OP. I don’t know if I’d have the patience to even respond. That’s one pushy and entitled parent.

I think OP’s guilt, which is not necessary, is making her think the mom is asking for it, when the mom is just asking if she’s doing it or not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I know the school is closed and you are off but I'm still going try and guilt you into having a zoom meeting with my larla and hope you make an exemption for me because I don't know how to keep their attention while reading a book."

Or, just as plausibly, “I don’t know if teacher does this on snow days; let me find out. I would hate for her to show up if we’re not even there because we made the wrong assumption.”

[Anonymous]

Since seeing kids online has become an option, parents have been asking for teachers and therapists to see their kids during family leave, sick leave and holidays. We need to be unified in keeping our boundaries. OP, if you agree to see kids on snow days, that will be the parent’s expectation for every other teacher who follows you.

[Anonymous]

In the time it took you to write this post, you could have written, “No, I don’t hold Zooms on snow days. Hope you have a good weekend, and Janie is doing well!”

What’s the issue?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That mom has some nerve.

I would go with the language 13:56 used.

Some nerve to…ask a question?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's nervy because the school is closed but mom wants (according to OP's title), for her to have a zoom meet. Again, the school is closed. IMO it's nervy. WMMV.

I guess if you choose to see the bad in people, choose to assume the worst, and generally have a bad attitude, then yeah. It was “nervy.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"I know the school is closed and you are off but I'm still going try and guilt you into having a zoom meeting with my larla and hope you make an exemption for me because I don't know how to keep their attention while reading a book."

It must be sad and exhausting, living in your brain.

[Anonymous]

"I won't be able to zoom today because school is closed, but please tell Larla for me that I miss her and can't wait to see her on Monday!"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:"I will not be doing a Zoom today, it is a snow day and I don't have any materials with me. I hope you and Larla enjoy the snow, see you next week!"

Yes this!

I'll go with this. Thanks. Still have lingering guilty feelings.

No need to feel guilty. She was asking because she did not know. Do not assume she was trying to make you do something you had not planned on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Since seeing kids online has become an option, parents have been asking for teachers and therapists to see their kids during family leave, sick leave and holidays. We need to be unified in keeping our boundaries. OP, if you agree to see kids on snow days, that will be the parent’s expectation for every other teacher who follows you.

So true. As if teachers aren't hanging on by a thread, now, too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Since seeing kids online has become an option, parents have been asking for teachers and therapists to see their kids during family leave, sick leave and holidays. We need to be unified in keeping our boundaries. OP, if you agree to see kids on snow days, that will be the parent’s expectation for every other teacher who follows you.

So true. As if teachers aren't hanging on by a thread, now, too.

Well now I can can see why teachers feel so overwhelmed, they read a “is there a zoom today” to mean “I am trying to manipulate you into doing something you do not want”. Take a breath and realize parents are often asking questions because they simply want a yes or no answer. Or even better send out clear communication. Not a vague message that there will sometimes be zoom calls, not a 4 page newsletter where the information is hidden. A clear “no after school zoom calls will be held on snow days”

[Anonymous]

You sound very kind but you have demanding parents. Next time set an auto reply on your email saying something like “1/7 is a snow day and school is closed. I will return your email as soon as possible when school reopens.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You sound very kind but you have demanding parents. Next time set an auto reply on your email saying something like “1/7 is a snow day and school is closed. I will return your email as soon as possible when school reopens.”

This right here. It takes 10 seconds to write a professional sentence and put it on auto-reply.