It is my favorite day of the year!

To quote a friend of mine about the first day of school, "It is my favorite day of the year!"

Whether it is a joyful day of reclaiming your quiet or a tearful day of letting go their is one thing we all have in common. 
The teacher-parent relationship is vital to a happy school year for every student.  I've counseled with many parents in tears with frustration over a bad relationship with their student's teacher.  It should never come to this point.  Here are some ideas that will help as we send our students off this year.   {And I trust you all to hold me to my word as I send my first born off to kindergarten - sniff}

If you don't have anything nice to say...  Can you finish it? ...don't say anything at all.  Your children are listening.  When you meet the teacher and have qualms resist the urge to display that.  Even to the younger ones.   Little kids tell big kids or even worse they will blurt out what you've said the next time they see that person.  It is perfectly acceptable to have questions or concern but discuss them with your spouse in private because even if you disagree with the teacher on first blush you still want to show your child how to respect their authority.  Keeping a respectful, working relationship with someone you disagree with is a good life skill after all.  Also, keep in mind what advice you would probably tell your child if they immediately declared not liking a fellow student on the first day.  I imagine it would sound something like, "keep an open mind and try to be nice," "you just met them how can you know if you don't like them," or "try to find something in common."  I suggest giving the teacher some unbiased time to get to know them.  Not every first impression is a good one.

Avoid the gossip.  "She said that Suzi told her that her husband's co-worker..."  The water cooler can color your opinion of others long before you've met them.  Your student may only be in second grade but you are going to spend the entire year hoping they do not get Mr. So&So for third grade because of something you've heard.  Much easier for everyone involved to just avoid those people that insist on spreading tales.

Allow a grace period.  If I rang your door bell and handed you 30+ children along with their parents & grandparents while they all shook your hand and took a picture would you be able to recall each person's name, match them to their child, and give me a brief account of the child's personality traits?  Obviously the answer is no.  See where I'm going with this?  If by day two or three your teacher is still having a hard time remembering you child's name or yours be OK with that. Be polite and shake their hand but allow for reintroductions after things have settled down a bit. **Side note:  This is a soap box speech, but please do not expect your teacher to remember you if they only see you three time in an entire school year.  I guarantee they know your student well even if they don't recognize your face.** 

Make an impression.  Here is probably my favorite tip. Give them money. Well a gift card at least.  Nothing starts of a relationship better than a simple, "You've survived the week Mrs. So&So.  Just wanted to say thank you/Congrats.s/Here's to a good school year/Enjoy." {Insert five dollar Starbucks, Sonic, or other gift card here}  And, wait until Friday when your teacher can actually breathe and remember who thrust this wonderful gift into her hands.

Ultimately it is your child that is harmed or helped by your relationship with the teacher, so stay positive, smile, approach the relationship with grace and do your best to make a friend.  If you do have serious issues with the teacher later in the year they will be much easier to resolve that way.

What to do if you do have serious issues?  That is another blog another day!

{me and my wonderful "first day of school gift" from a supporter circa 2006}

{my "kids" from that year circa 2006}