What To Do If You Don't Get Along With Your Child's Teacher

We all know how important education is to a child. Teachers are there to help guide and shape young minds, preparing them to take on the world. These professionals are incredibly influential in our kid's lives, but what if you just don't gel with them? It's not unusual for teachers and parents to have issues. Sometimes it's a simple difference of opinion, while other times it can be a more serious matter that feels impossible to resolve. What exactly are you supposed to do when the parent-teacher relationship breaks down? Let's take a look at what options are available to you, according to Today's Parent.

Keep your cool. It can be tempting to blow your lid and march down to the school gates when your child comes home upset or angry, but it would only have a bad outcome. Similarly, talking negatively about the teacher will do little to help the situation, especially in front of your child. Teachers are supposed to be figures of respect and deserve to be treated as such, even if you don't see eye to eye on a specific subject. Sounding off to your son or daughter about how angry you are may make them feel like they don't need to listen to their teacher at all, causing further problems.

Sweat the small stuff. We're often programmed to leave things alone that bother us, but it can be a dangerous way to handle things. You might hear that something happened in the classroom that you don't like, but choose to shrug it off and see what happens further down the line. This can lead to a build-up of resentment that might explode in the future. It's best to tackle any grievances head-on, regardless of how small you think it might sound. Open up that line of communication and ask to have a one on one with the teacher. Your problems could be resolved with a simple conversation. If you're worried about what you want to say or concerned you won't be able to get your point across, try writing out a list and taking it with you.

See for yourself. Let's face it, kids can often get things wrong. What may be a big deal to them might not have actually been intended in the way they think, or they may have misread the situation entirely. It's easy to jump to your child's defense, but it's not always as black and white as it seems. Volunteering at the school is a good way to get an inside look at what really goes down in the classroom. That way, you might be able to see how the teacher interacts with their students and if there's really a problem.

Go to the principal. If you've tried all the above points but can't see a way past the situation, then the next step might be talking to the principal. It can seem like a scary thing to do as it elevates things to the next level, but sometimes it's the only option. Schools have the best interests of pupils at heart, and administration teams are there to ensure everything runs smoothly. If there is an underlying issue that could be resolved with mediation, then the principal can help with that. However, if it's a more general complaint and you would rather not be named, then you have the right to remain anonymous.

Turn the situation into a life lesson. No one likes conflict. It's annoying, stressful and life is better without it, but it happens. The way you handle the issue can be an example to your child on how to deal with things in the future. If you let your emotions lead you, then your child with remember that. However, dealing with it calmly, maturely and in a way that ultimately benefits everyone involved will stick in their minds and teach them a valuable life lesson. Conflict will always be there, but we have control over how we approach it. Most importantly, remind your child that no matter what happens, the primary objective is their wellbeing. Personal agendas and feelings will never get in the way of the most important thing of all - their education and success.