Reply #95: The common thread here

[Iwillnevergiveup]

appears to be that parenting is no easy walk in the park.

But, MarianJack, I'd like to tell you in my 20 plus years of teaching, I've had a slew of aides and parent volunteers in my classrooms. They came in all shapes and sizes. Never once did I hear a comment about their physical appearances. What I did notice was that the kids were more respectful of our adult guests than they were of me! Maybe 3 years ago, a mom came into my classroom wearing a revealing halter top, tatooed up one arm and down the other. Her husband was missing quite a few of his teeth. They popped in unannounced to check up on their daughter. It was quite a disruption, but these parents began regaling the class about the importance of paying attention in class, doing their work and acting "right." They even got on a rant about how they served jail time for drug use/sales and warned the kids about not leading that lifestyle. This all took up about 15 minutes.

Their daughter was at first horrified when they came through the door. As I watched her and the other kids, she became more relaxed. And what did the class say after the parents left? "Hey, that was cool." "Your parents are awesome."

So, I would encourage you to go on in and read to your son's class. You will be accepted for who you are by them....and best of all, by your son.