This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

That One Parent

If I am honest about myself, I will admit that I have been that one parent that strikes fear into the hearts and minds of teachers and school administrators.

I have been that one parent that I know when I am calling the teacher or administrator on the other end of the phone is taking a deep breath, pulling up their big girl or boy undies, while waving their diplomacy flag, and praying for patience not to call me a rude name. I have bullied on behalf of my children. I have threatened legal and media action. I have backed up my words. I am that one parent that along with a school committee that fights like a pack of dogs with one bone and a very harsh Superintendent does not allow teachers to use common sense or stray from the rule book for fear of becoming a whipping boy or girl to all of us.

Fast forward, a few years, two more children, and some major life lessons and now I am a bit more diplomatic, not much, but I don’t run in with my mouth on 11 ready to seek justice for my child over every little thing. I have realized the world doesn’t revolve around my little snowflake and my household.  Now there are 3 little snowflakes, all individuals, and all special. Guess what else I realized? Every parent has their own little snowflake, maybe even more than one. The one thing that we are all united in is that we want the best for our children.

I feel badly for our public school teachers and administrators. In each class a teacher deals with at least 20 little snowflakes. Add to that, if the family unit is in tact at least 2 parents, if it’s a blended family, their may be 4 parents watching over that teachers every move. I would never want to be a teacher. A school principal has a massive winter storm in effect! The school committee and superintendent are living the Blizzard of 68!

Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

So why I am I writing this you may ask? Well as I wrote, a few years have made me wiser and more liberal with kindness in dealing with education professionals. They have a hard job. In my neighborhood alone we have some very tough snowflakes and serious family issues. They are delivered Monday through Friday on a bright yellow school bus to the schools. I’ve watched these professionals in action and they are amazing at times dealing with snowflakes that make me want to hide indoors, forever!

This current controversy about a butter knife makes me shake my head. I feel sorrow and compassion for Mr. Lamore, he is a kind man and I have been that nag in his ear in the past. I know, deep in my heart he cares for the snowflakes. He doesn’t want them to hit the ground and melt into the yucky brown slush.  He wants them to stay in tact and beautifully unique and perfect in their own ways. I can only imagine the internal struggle he went through between following the rules that have been so stringently laid out so that there is zero tolerance for anything including common sense and the school committee, superintendent, and that one parent.

Find out what's happening in Attleborowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

I have been held under scrutiny, albeit not national scrutiny, for my mouth and written words. It's not a comfortable place to be. Once upon a time I tried to get the Honor Roll ice cream sundae's taken away from the children at Wamsutta Middle School. I still disagree with their policy. I still believe that food rewards are silly, outdated, and not a good idea with the high rates of childhood obesity in this country. I still believe the children would benefit from having a reward of a coupon getting them out of trouble for a missing assignment or a free period to do what they want! I took my lumps from outraged parents in the community who thought and still think I am stupid. It's okay, some days I am.

All I can say is my heart is good, I am just trying to get the best for my children and I am really trying hard not to be that one parent that everyone hates to deal with.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?