Because teachers are often overworked, underpaid and misunderstood, some have taken to Reddit to share harsh truths that they would love to tell parents. Below, we’ve gathered some brutally honest thoughts educators have posted online, so enjoy reading through, and don’t hesitate to pass this list along to any parents who might need a reality check!
#1
Tell your kids no. Tell them no often. No, they don't need a "yes" day. No, it will not traumatize them. Tell them no, get them used to it. NOW, like right now!!
Image credits: Catalyst886
#2
Your child is acting out because it is the first time that they have encountered boundaries. I am not a mean teacher, nor am I picking on your child; I have rules and expectations.
#3
Your 8 year old shouldn't be on Tik Tok unmonitored....or at all.
Image credits: Bluesky0089
#4
Please read to your kids. Take them to the library. Sign them up for summer reading programs. Give them books instead of tablets. Help them find material that is suited to their interests.
Remedial reading programs can help, but a lack of home support for developing literacy is the root of the problem. .
Image credits: ohophelia1400
#5
You didn’t just have a “baby”. You are raising a future adult, who will need to be self-sufficient, responsible, polite, tolerant and caring. Stop babying your kids! Teach them how to tie their shoes, say “please and thank you” and that they aren’t always right and/or in charge!
Image credits: Daffodil236
#6
You did not, in fact, "turn out just fine.".
Image credits: naptastic
#7
You’re the parent. Being a parent means you make the hard decisions. An elementary school child does not need the responsibility of deciding what to eat- you provide healthy food. They don’t need the responsibility of deciding what to study- you sit down with them and help them learn. They don’t need to decide if they take their medicine-you make that decision. You decide bed time. You decide screen time. Children cannot make these choices yet because they are children. They need the responsibility of broccoli or peas, bikes or the park, which book to read together, which shirt to wear. So many parents seems to think “gentle parenting” means letting them make all the choice, and it just isn’t. Grown ups have to be grown ups and do the hard things so kids can be healthy, safe kids.
#8
Please teach your kids basic manners and etiquette.
The fact that I have to teach 14 year olds about simple "please", "thank you", and eye contact is mind-boggling.
#9
You chose to have kids. Choose to parent them well.
Image credits: ebeth_the_mighty
#10
I can’t get them to do their homework. How could I indoctrinate them into becoming LGBTQ+ antifa furries?
#11
We can't fix your failures as a parent.
Image credits: Ascertes_Hallow
#12
When your child speaks, you have to acknowledge it. You can say no after they're done speaking; you can even be silent. But YOU MUST acknowledge that they spoke to another human.
Image credits: Final-Highway-3371
#13
Your kid is lying to you.
Image credits: Standard_Earth5931
#14
Seeing a lot of (understandable) behavioral comments here, so I'll add something new to the list:
"When you build a family culture that DEMANDS good grades, you aren't encouraging learning. You're encouraging your kid to try to game the system out of fear. It undercuts what I'm trying to do in the classroom.".
#15
We are employees and much of what we do is dictated to us.
If you don't think Starbucks should put iced coffee in plastic cups because it's bad for the environment, don't yell at the barista about it. (And don't go on social media to tell everyone what a moron she is.)
Parents often assume teachers have more power than we actually do.
Image credits: iwant2saysomething2
#16
Just because I'm a professional doesn't mean you can scream at me.
Image credits: Dizzy_Negotiation_71
#17
Stop trying to be friends with your kids. You can be "friendly" to your kids; minors don't have to be treated like transactional trash, which was (arguably) a prevalent parenting style with a disproportionate number of parents in years gone by. However, kids need structure and boundaries so firm but fair is acceptable. Hold them accountable and set the bar high. Don't let them sit in front of screens at young ages. Model appropriate digital behavior. MAKE kids accept responsibility for their mistakes and stop blaming everyone else or displacing blame when it squarely lies on them for making poor choices. Read to them and with them at young ages. Instill in them a love of learning. Please give them a loving and supportive home environment and leave your toxic trauma out of their domain.
Image credits: Another_Opinion_1
#18
Your child does not need a phone.
Image credits: Flatline_blur
#19
Peer pressure is a powerful thing. Yes, your “little angel” did / say that. Knock off the “Not my baby!” nonsense.
#20
Stop doing your kids work for them. It helps no one.
Image credits: theatregirl1987
#21
Your kid isn't special.
Image credits: yomamasochill
#22
I am a teacher, not a doctor, therapist, or psychologist. It is not my job to put up with or fix your kid’s a*****e personality.
Image credits: Graphicnovelnick
#23
It’s pay now or pay later when it comes to disciplining your kids. By the time you figure that out, they won’t be in school anymore.
Image credits: auntbat
#24
If you ignore 6 Class Dojo posts, 11 automated calls from the school office, 9 flyers, 6 mentions in the weekly class newsletters, the message on the school kiosk, 2 district robocalls, and 3 emails and 2 personal phone calls from me, then you DO NOT get to call and curse me out because you missed one of your child's special events. 28 parents were able to get there, and 1 wasn't. Your child was really disappointed, but it wasn't my fault. Do the math and look in a mirror, lady.
#25
NEVER tell a child to do something or stop doing something unless you are prepared to follow through with an action. The number of times I’ve heard parents scream “stop that” over and over without moving to force the child to indeed “stop that”. It’s headache inducing. I told my children once then I followed through by getting up and “ helping“ them if they didn’t listen. You don’t have to be mean or yell or punish, just follow through or don’t say something to begin with.
#26
Stop being your kids defense attorney and start being their PARENT.
#27
It’s ok to have your kids in discomfort and bored. It’s a fundamental part of life. People can’t preserve your feelings 100% of your waking life. Stress can be good.
#28
I cannot teach at school what you don't encourage at home.
If you expect to send your child to school in order for them "be a better person" yet you mistreat them at home, then you get what you give. I can't teach a student whose parent doesn't value their student or their student's education.
If your student fails my class don't get mad at me when YOU'VE been telling your student "[insert subject here] doesn't matter". I'm not fighting the apathy that YOU AS A PARENT put in your kid's head. My 'passion' won't compete with it.
#29
Laziness and apathy is learned at home not at school. We have exciting plans that keep us active for 90 minute blocks. What’s 90 mins spent at home with your child look like?
#30
Allowing your child to get away with theft, assault, or vandalism without actual consequences when they are young will only lead to them being imprisoned when they finally become of age. It’s not okay when they are 7 years old as much as when they are 17 years old. You are setting them up for failure and tragedy by not dealing with these unacceptable behaviours when they are young.
#31
Your kid isn't the only kid.
#32
Just because you went to school doesn’t mean you know how to teach.
#33
If you want your kids to be better students, start by aiding them in becoming good human beings. They are a reflection of what you do inasmuch what you don't do. Do better so they too can do better.
#34
You have more control over your kid’s phone than I do—use it.
Image credits: EnoughSprinkles2653
#35
You're not doing enough to prepare them for life.
Image credits: 37MySunshine37
#36
1. Allowing your child to fail will benefit them 100x more than you intervening for them. 2. You have to be willing to say no to your kid, and mean it/not waver.
#37
Society has failed families, and the teachers and the education system are the only ones still trying to put up a fight. We're tired. Be nicer to us.
#38
You were likely not parented well, and now the cycle is continuing with you not parenting your child appropriately. This is going to take some serious effort to correct. It will not be fun, but it will be worth it for both of you (and our society).
#39
You should not have had kids.
#40
Don’t celebrate too hard—grades are inflated.
Image credits: Yesterday_Beautiful
