“Confrontation Scaredy Cat: How to Address Concerns About Your Child’s Math Teacher”

Accident – death – Obituary News : Care and Feeding is Slate’s parenting advice column that provides guidance and support to parents facing various challenges. This week, a parent reached out to Care and Feeding seeking advice on how to address concerns about their children’s math teacher. The parent explained that while their twins loved their Title I elementary school, they were struggling with their math teacher, Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith’s teaching approach consisted of assigning video lessons and assignments for students to complete independently, with minimal teacher-led instruction during class. Additionally, he identified certain students as “good” math students and tasked them with helping their peers before seeking assistance from Mr. Smith. This approach was causing one of the parent’s twins to feel stressed and overwhelmed, as she struggled to understand the concepts herself while trying to teach her classmates.

The parent expressed their desire to address the issue respectfully and find a solution that would benefit all fifth graders at the school. Care and Feeding advised the parent to request a second conference with Mr. Smith, this time focusing on their daughter’s struggles with the teaching approach. They suggested avoiding confrontational language and instead emphasizing the impact the approach was having on their daughter’s academic performance and emotional well-being. The parent was encouraged to discuss the pressure their daughter felt to help her classmates and ask Mr. Smith for support in alleviating her stress. If the situation did not improve after the meeting, the parent was advised to follow up with Mr. Smith and, if necessary, involve the principal.

In another letter, a parent sought advice on navigating the growing independence of their 16-year-old daughter. The parent had established rules for their daughter’s outings with friends, which included not being out after dark due to safety concerns. However, the parent acknowledged that this restriction was limiting their daughter’s spontaneity and causing her to miss out on activities with her friends. Care and Feeding recommended using a communication model called BRIEF (begin peacefully, relate, interview, echo, feedback) to have an open and empathetic conversation with their daughter. They encouraged the parent to consider revising the guidelines to give their daughter more freedom while still ensuring her safety. They also suggested benchmarking their rules against those of other trusted parents and seeking guidance from community organizations on teen safety.

Lastly, a parent sought advice on dealing with their 3-and-a-half-year-old daughter’s constant need to be on their lap. The parent described how their daughter insisted on sitting on their lap for various activities, but the constant movement and lack of comfort made it challenging for the parent. Care and Feeding recommended setting boundaries and gently redirecting their daughter’s behavior. They advised the parent to explain that sometimes they needed personal space and offer alternative seating options or activities to engage their daughter. Consistency, patience, and understanding were emphasized as key approaches to navigate this phase.

Care and Feeding is a valuable resource for parents seeking guidance and support in various aspects of parenting. The column offers practical advice and solutions to help parents address challenges effectively while considering the well-being and growth of their children..