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posted ago by Voluntaryism ago by Voluntaryism +37 / -2

Luckily, my son is old enough to know his shit, but not all of us are lucky. If your child is below 14-ish in age, then PLEASE listen to their teachers as they talk and look over their shoulders. It'll take just a bit more effort, but it's your own child. There are a number of reasons for this.

-Wake-up call:

You will be surprised at what the teachers think they can get away with telling your child. There's more benign stuff like just leaving and not being there for 20% of the class, and then there's the real hard-hitter. Remember how they probably canceled a lot of the syllabus? It turns out, they also started the chapter on reproduction in humans a year early, at least. My child is in 10th grade, and they're supposed to start learning about the birds and the bees officially in 11th grade. Thankfully, my child was already aware, but if you want to protect your child from this stuff, then please do. God knows how much earlier they've placed the diddly-doo.

-It's hilarious and sad:

I would always tell my child not to laugh in the middle of class, even if the teacher couldn't hear him, as simply a reinforcement of respect. When I was sitting next to him today, I almost chuckled myself. The teachers, and even many fellow students, don't know the first thing about how to operate this stuff (My son assures me his classmates are likely lying to buy time, which is hilarious, but also sad). It is telling that even after half a bloody year of this stuff, the teachers can't even make sure their attendance system works.

-Bond with your child:

Even though he's "In class" "With friends" as is "his responsibility", it's you guys' house. Don't let him wear a uniform. Would you wear a uniform at home casually? Of course not. Similarly, sit with him (or her, if you have a daughter) and bond. Of course, don't interrupt the lecture, but be there. Your child should know that their parent is right here. You might laugh and call me sheltering, but it's been shown to fuck kids up when they don't have parental support like this. Lockdowns have curbed the virus, but have created an epidemic of suicides and depression. I would prefer my child not to be in the news as the newest victim of poorly-thought-out policy.