Reply #14: Second whipping boy: parents.

[lostnfound]

I feel for you. Being a teacher is an incredibly important job, and it is wrong that they don't get more support and more freedom in how they teach.

Parents are also always being blamed. Control them, don't control them, expose them to art music literature, protect them, don't overprotect them, more family time more homework more exercise more time reading, teach them good manners.. But don't forget about your own health either, you need to exercise for 30 minutes a day yourself. And pay attention to your marriage.

Parents need to "step up and teach their kids about money" said my morning newspaper today, in an article about college kids with maxed out credit cards. Could it be that our society is so saturated with Buy it now! messages that it's like holding back a flood?

"No parental supervision or involvement". What's going on in the parents' lives would astound many. A friend in the midst of a divorce is coping with aging and ailing parents, medical emergencies literally every other week, and a low-paying job (with no health benefits). I worry that she will keel over any day herself from the stress.

On edit: Not trying to take away from your complaints. Personally I feel incredibly grateful towards my son's teacher, and I'm shocked that she does such a flawless job and always so cheerful.