Here is the 43rd installment of Ten Top Lists of What Not to Do by Marie Ann Bailey of 1WriteWay at http://1writeway.com and John W. Howell of Fiction Favorites at http://johnwhowell.com. These lists are simu-published on our blogs each Monday. We hope you enjoy.
Top Ten Things Not To Do When Attending a Parent-teacher Conference
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not assume your child is never at fault. If you do, at best, you might be disappointed. At worst, you may find yourself explaining certain behaviors that could only be learned at home.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not try to explain away your child’s behavior with some made-up medical excuse. If you do, at best, you might be questioned about your own veracity. At worst, you might be explaining to child welfare the fact a medical exam found no medical reason for the behaviors.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not try to deny providing unusual help on the term project. If you do, at best, you will look like someone who has problems with the truth. At worst, you could be accused of being a severely overprotective parent with recommendations for counseling.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not try to ingratiate the teacher with abnormal compliments. If you do, at best, you will look like you have something to hide. At worst, the teacher will think you are shallow and assign the same trait to your child.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not assume the teacher will be impressed with your professional or work title and your forceful personality. If you do, at best, you may be in for a rude awakening. At worst, the teacher will think you are a bully and report you to the principal.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not do all the talking. If you do, at best you may miss some important information. At worst, the teacher will think you care more about yourself than your child and end the conference early with none of the issues resolved.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not bring along friends or relatives as support. If you do, at best, the teacher will feel outnumbered and end the conference early. At worst, the teacher will bring in a number of witnesses and pretty soon the conference will take on the appearance of a trial with you as the defendant.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not bring gifts. If you do, at best, the teacher will feel uncomfortable in giving you an honest evaluation of your child’s performance. At worst, the teacher will need to call the principal to witness turning down what they consider to be a bribe.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not call the teacher by the first name. If you do, at best, the teacher will believe you are rude. At worst, the teacher will get the feeling you are unnecessarily challenging the professional relationship which will not play well for the rest of the semester for your child.
- When attending a parent-teacher conference, do not wear your most casual clothes. If you do, at best, the teacher will believe you are not serious about the conference. At worst, you may be unknowingly violating the school dress code and be asked to leave the building.
Fiction Favorites 
Also helps to have a kid. Seriously, I heard about someone who went to a parent-teacher conference and didn’t even have a kid. Think they simply wanted to see if it could be done.
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Would be the best way. No surprises.
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All good points. I always try to remember to thank the teacher for their hard work at the end. It isn’t easy teaching.
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All good points John, … I’d sent an ‘excuse’ note to the Teacher… and let my child write it… 😀 xx
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Great post, John & Marie! I still dread conference time, but on the plus side, I’m more than half-way through my tour of duty with them – only 5 yrs left till he goes off to University!
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I’m so guilty of #3.
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who isn’t?
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I have three kids in school. LOVE this!
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It is a wonder you have any hair. Of course your kids are probably perfect. (wait for it) Like their mom.
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Har har har…. Very funny. Thank you though.
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I’ve never attended one! Thank goodness.
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You ought to borrow a kid and go just for the experience.
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Good afternoon, John. Great list. I’m thankful I’ve never had to go to such a conference 😉
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Luckyyyy
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Going to share this with the teachers I work with!
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I hope they get a chuckle. Next time I think it will be the teacher ten things not to do in a parent teacher conference.
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Reblogged this on Confessions of a School Nurse and commented:
Not a medical or school nurse issue, but somethings to keep in mind when you go in for those wonderful parent-teacher conferences!
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I’ve never had to attend one of these, either, but I recall my mother’s numerous outings……
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I’m sure your mom enjoyed all the wonderful comments from your teachers. (can’t imagine anything else)
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#6 As a teacher…we’re told not to do all the talking…guess I’d better get a little practice in on the stare down tactic. Made ya blink!!
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No you didn’t, but I must admit I was tempted.
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Ha! How many of these were learned through bitter experience?
When attending a parent-teacher conference, find the smartest kid and pretend he’s yours.
At best, everyone will herald your parenting skills.
At worst, his real parents will get the night off.
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I spent many a tight moment in those little chairs
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