What are they thinking?

So, most of you know that I am a teacher. Before Logan was born, I was often given the 'wait until you have kids' look. Well you know what? I am a parent and I STILL honestly have to say, what were they thinking?!?!?! I would like to pass on some tidbits of wisdom from a veteran teacher, yes I am now old, to fellow parents.

1. Your child will lie. All animals are born with a self-preservation instinct. Children are no different and will tell you that their teacher only gave them 1 day to do a major project. Realize that your child may be stretching the truth and try a novel idea...Contact the teacher!!

2. Laws apply to your kid too! Just because your child has enrolled in a course that involves them leaving campus, does not mean you should give your un-licensed driver the keys to your car. Just because they are stressed at school, does not mean that they must do drugs.

3. Adults are NOT out to 'get' your child. Most of us just want your child to succeed. Now, I'm not saying that there aren't bad teachers out there, because there definitely are. Just remember the old verse, "You reap what you sow." Odds are that a paranoid child/parent is also a slightly defensive and or combative child/parent.

4. It is NOT ok to swear at your child. Children learn by example. They are not born with a filter. If you routinely swear at them, they will not know when it is inappropriate to curse themselves. This is especially true when you come to the school and swear at teachers and principals.

5. Read to your kids. I don't care if you read the racing form, the TV guide, or the back of your beer bottle. Just expose your kids to reading. It will increase their vocabulary and they will actually do better in school and in life.