Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy embarrassed...crying at parent teacher conf

If it makes you feel better I had the same reaction - I had to stare wide eyed at my feet for a while to stop a tear escaping - when a teacher that had not seen my DD as particularly bright admitted after she saw the test scores she had been wrong and now understood why my daughter hadn't leaped at the chance to do more early 2nd grade worksheets . She has done an abrupt about face and is now a full on advocate for my DD.

The relief that having the wall you were forced to bang your head against removed brings is enormous, isn't it?

I don't think embarrassment is called for. I am sure that most teachers feel that a parent's being emotionally invested is far preferable to being checked out.

At one point I had a teacher tell me she would never give up on my kid, because she knew I wouldn't.

DeeDee

I would not worry about this at all.

No reason to be embarrassed. It's pretty normal given the situation.

I cry at almost every meeting I have with the school, I managed to keep it together at a recent meeting with the superintendent because it was important to me that she knew I was 100% serious about what I came to talk to her about, but it was really hard.

I hate that I cry, but once I mentioned it to a couple of friends I realized that they all do it too. I get so frustrated that I can't get them to see how important this is, but the fact that I have so many issues from my own childhood related to this issue doesn't help either.

I have a hard time keeping my emotions in check. I always bring my husband for important conferences because of this.

it is sweet, sweet relief to hear this.

this is my first year going to organized parent/teacher conferences and the first one was fine because we had no idea there was a problem, but i've been a mess ever since. doesn't matter if i'm feeling frustration, sadness or BLIND RAGE - it's a four-tissue event.

I feel like such a wimp, but once I start talking the floodgates are open!