Sunday, March 23, 2014

SOL 23 of 31 -- Family Time at the Mall



PART 3
I remember a few years ago, my colleagues complained that the children of teachers were some of the hardest kids to have in class.  Since I hadn't experienced a teacher's child in my class, I just listened.  They felt that generally the children of teachers were not well-behaved and the teacher-parents believed their children were perfect. The teacher-parents also generally believed their child's abilities were much better than they actually were.  

Now, sitting at the mall, considering Owen, I'm thinking, "That child needs his parents to be teachers!"  Granted, not all teachers would know how to help this child.  And, I understand that it can be much more difficult to handle tough situations when it is your own child.  

But are the children of teachers generally more difficult to have in class?  I ponder what it will be like in a year or two when my daughter is in school.  She comes from an entire family of teachers: both parents, two grammies and an aunt.  Of course we all think she is academically advanced. Are we somehow setting her up to be a challenge for her future teachers?  

She definitely negotiates and questions.  She is definitely independent and stubborn.  But she is also eager to please and most certainly a rules-follower.  I've observed her in the few classes she's had so far.  At dance, she's always doing exactly what the teacher says to do and often insists that the other kids follow the directions also (we're working on how she can do this without being bossy!).  She's patient.  She's interested.  She doesn't hesitate to ask her teacher, "What are we going to do next?" or "Can we use the pom-poms today?"  

I hope that having dealt with a variety of parents throughout our teaching careers, we won't be intimidating or difficult for Clara's teachers.  I hope that we can team with her teachers and community to make school a joy for everyone of us. 

7 comments:

  1. I know that you will, and can, Susan! I haven't found that children of teachers are any different from other students. Each one has a personality unique to them. Owen at least might benefit from parents who've read some good child behavior book! As a parent, I was so happy that my children questioned & didn't always do what they were told. That, at least to me, is raising a victim. Good points today!

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  2. I have had a few students whose moms I worked with in my district. Didn't find them to be much different. They know how school works. :-) I am sending my daughter to my school next year. It will be interesting for sure.

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  3. As Kim said, teachers know how school works. I've found their kids pretty easy to have in classes.

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  4. I don't mind kids of teachers at all. I have them often. In my experience they understand your job more than a 'typical' parent and that leads to a certain amount of automatic respect.

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  5. I have had some dream students from the kids of teachers. I wouldn't be too worried! Like was mentioned above, often they know the drill already and respect the job. I think it'll be fine!

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  6. I struggle with this all the time. Someday, when I have to decide, will I choose to send my child to my school? Another school in the district? A school in another district? I feel like there are so many pros and cons to each of the options.

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    1. In 2 years, when my daughter starts kindergarten, there is a possibility of her attending the school where both her parents and both her grammies work. It's a fantastic school, but should she have her very own school? A very tough decision!

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