Do you bring your kids to a parent/teacher conference?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I didn’t but my kid is in K. We are at a title I school and everyone else did though.

OP here, my kid is at a title 1 school too. It seemed like I was the only parent that didn’t bring my kid.

[Anonymous]

Some parents are like

And then there are those who are like

But......

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the kid. If your kid is shy or sensitive and will just become upset or defensive upon hearing negative feedback, leave him at home - no use putting him through that trauma. But if he’s more resilient and needs a “kick in the pants” and will be able to handle hearing what the teacher says, bring him. Ultimately, students are responsible for their own education, good to get them involved early if they’re ready.

I'm one who takes my kids if the need a "kick in the pants". If all I'm going to hear is praise - I don't take them. But, even in those circumstances - the teachers always modulate the conference so it is motivating to the kid without making them feel entitled.

And what is up with the tacky poster? How on earth is it tacky? Obviously a parent of still young children.

[Anonymous]

Our school makes the 4th and 5th graders come. I find it makes the conference useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, because I have no child care otherwise. I think kids should be included.

Ugh. Parents like you are the worst. These days are planned a year in advance. No excuse. You can’t ask another mom to switch kids for conference days.

Sick of people always throwing their hands up in the air without trying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, because I have no child care otherwise. I think kids should be included.

Ugh. Parents like you are the worst. These days are planned a year in advance. No excuse. You can’t ask another mom to switch kids for conference days.

Sick of people always throwing their hands up in the air without trying.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many parents bring their kids. Some bring siblings too. I’m always happy to provide activities for younger siblings (paper, crayons, pattern blocks, etc.). The only time it was a problem was when a toddler sibling poured liquid glue all over my math manipulatives. Sometimes I’ll invite the student to join in and other times they’ll read or play with their younger siblings.

My small classroom was used for conferences yesterday and when I got back to my room in the evening it was like there had been an explosion. Books everywhere, crayons all over the floor, manipulatives spilled out of their containers etc. If you do have to bring kids of any age, please don’t let them make a mess of someone’s classroom and make sure you clean it up if they do. Cleaning up that mess at 8pm after a long day of teaching and parent conferences was the last thing I wanted to do. Ridiculous that people think that it’s ok to let their kids make a mess anywhere and leave it for others to clean up. Getting ready for more of the same today, but I’m putting away everything I can.

[Anonymous]

If children are K and up, they sit in the hallway and wait. If younger, I arrange a child swap with neighbors. Not that hard.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If children are K and up, they sit in the hallway and wait. If younger, I arrange a child swap with neighbors. Not that hard.

Our neighbors work and have older kids. In an emergency I can so but not for this. We skipped the conference so it is a non issue. They are useless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No it’s both tacky and unparental (it would be as unprofessional if the teacher brought her kid). Unless the teacher requested that I bring my child they don’t show up. The child can go to aftercare for a little bit while I conference. To bring your children with you is tacky. If you wouldn’t bring your children with you in the dental or doctor’s exam room why would you do this to a teacher? I also don’t want my child to her herself discussed from the teacher’s point of view. I believe children should be children and adults should be adults. There should be a clear line of demarcation. Suppose you or the teacher need to discuss private family matters, custody issues, social issues, etc. ?

Not everyone has aftercare or a babysitter. Yes, my child goes to my dental and medical exams if not in school. A teacher is there for a job, its different from a parent. I want my child to hear everything and I want to see how they interact to make sure it is a good fit.

You can’t afford a babysitter for half an hour? How do you afford kids?

We do not regularly use babysitters so I am not leaving my kid with someone we do not know.

[Anonymous]

In elelmentary, the teachers all provided a place in the hall for kids to sit and some things to play with or read while waiting during the conference. In middle school, our school has 'student-led' conferences so the student has to be there. They do some self assessment ahead of the conferences and have a script to follow to lead the discussion.

[Anonymous]

At our school they had the kids use an iPad with headphones during the conference do we could talk privately. Many families brought kids.

[Anonymous]

It seems to be that those who are not in W schools of schools or higher socioeconomic status bring their children and then force teachers or staff to provide ways for heir children to occupy their time. It’s clear how far some people have fallen in regards to decency & common sense. To the PP who is a teacher and whose room was left a mess, I do feel for you. Teachers, there are some of us left who have decorum and others as you see for yourself who think it’s pefectly okay to bring their children —-uninvited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No it’s both tacky and unparental (it would be as unprofessional if the teacher brought her kid). Unless the teacher requested that I bring my child they don’t show up. The child can go to aftercare for a little bit while I conference. To bring your children with you is tacky. If you wouldn’t bring your children with you in the dental or doctor’s exam room why would you do this to a teacher? I also don’t want my child to her herself discussed from the teacher’s point of view. I believe children should be children and adults should be adults. There should be a clear line of demarcation. Suppose you or the teacher need to discuss private family matters, custody issues, social issues, etc. ?

Not everyone has aftercare or a babysitter. Yes, my child goes to my dental and medical exams if not in school. A teacher is there for a job, its different from a parent. I want my child to hear everything and I want to see how they interact to make sure it is a good fit.

You can’t afford a babysitter for half an hour? How do you afford kids?

We do not regularly use babysitters so I am not leaving my kid with someone we do not know.

Again, the schoo calendar is planned out a year in advance. Surely, you could have saved up some money to pay someone or paid the after school provider. This shows you probably shouldn’t be a parent or populating on earth when you cannot afford babysitting and you lack critical thinking skills. It’s amazing that you made it this far in life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No it’s both tacky and unparental (it would be as unprofessional if the teacher brought her kid). Unless the teacher requested that I bring my child they don’t show up. The child can go to aftercare for a little bit while I conference. To bring your children with you is tacky. If you wouldn’t bring your children with you in the dental or doctor’s exam room why would you do this to a teacher? I also don’t want my child to her herself discussed from the teacher’s point of view. I believe children should be children and adults should be adults. There should be a clear line of demarcation. Suppose you or the teacher need to discuss private family matters, custody issues, social issues, etc. ?

Not everyone has aftercare or a babysitter. Yes, my child goes to my dental and medical exams if not in school. A teacher is there for a job, its different from a parent. I want my child to hear everything and I want to see how they interact to make sure it is a good fit.

You can’t afford a babysitter for half an hour? How do you afford kids?

We do not regularly use babysitters so I am not leaving my kid with someone we do not know.

Again, the schoo calendar is planned out a year in advance. Surely, you could have saved up some money to pay someone or paid the after school provider. This shows you probably shouldn’t be a parent or populating on earth when you cannot afford babysitting and you lack critical thinking skills. It’s amazing that you made it this far in life.

We brought our child to his parent teacher conference yesterday. He was very welcome by the school to be there. There were many kids. It doesn't make sense to find and pay for child care when it's just not necessary. You can certainly feel differently, and if you want to go the meeting alone, by all means do so, but really, why be so angry about it?