Why do teachers hate January?

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

I have some friends who are teachers who say that they hate January because it is filled with parents wanting their time for some issue or other.

As a teacher is this your experience?

As a parent do you speak to the teacher more in Jan?

[mrz]

I hate January because it's dark when I get to school and it's dark when I leave. I can't say I have noticed more parents wanting time than any other month.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

Well I dunno what they're on about then.

[octopusinasantasack]

I probably speak to them less in January than in October and whatever other month they send out the reports or have parents' evenings.

[MoreThanChristmasCrackers]

Maybe these teachers come across parents who having spent more time than usual with their dc, learn more about them and any problems they have.

[TheCrackFox]

Doesn't everyone hate January?

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

It's coz I'm about to raise an ongoing problem that I trusted the school to deal with in the Autumn but will need to raise again on stronger terms. My teacher family and friend warned me that the teachers will be expecting me as it's when all the tricky parents start to make demands.

[mrz]

If anything we tend to get "complaints" before holidays and dare I say it around the full moon

[trinity0097]

I hate Jan as there is the risk of snow and having to drive in horrid conditions!

[Hellocleaveland]

I think I'm the one who gets more demanding actually, not the parents! But that's because I teach Reception and the Autumn term is mostly about settling in and getting a good overall picture of each child. When the Spring Term starts I have to start looking more critically (if that's the right word) at what they are achieving and whether they might be having difficulties, and I don't really enjoy having to do that. Also it is cold and usually raining and the children are particularly snotty. But January isn't THAT bad!

[ipadquietly]

I love January at school because it's not Christmas anymore!

[fedup21]

What an odd thing to suggest, OP-I have never heard or thought that!

I hate January for the same reasons as Mrz; it's cold and dark and yucky. It also seems ages until the next holiday ;) I don't think teachers are alone in feeling like that though?

Anyway, it's ages until January (puts fingers in ears and sings la la la!).

[clam]

In 27 years of teaching, I have never heard this one.

I hate January because it's cold, dark, and an anti-climax after Christmas and it's why I always book half-term skiing to look forward to. Have never had any parents in to raise issues over and above the 'normal' rate.

[Whathaveiforgottentoday]

I hate January cos its January, no other reason. Actually, quite like it if there's a possibility of a snow day (only joking - don't really hope for more days off than we already have!)

[AlaskaNebraska]

Nope. Twenty years. Never heard

[clary]

January is lovely coz it's my birthday

Otherwise, what mrz said.

[ReluctantBeing]

I've never heard of that theory either. I'm looking forward to going back because I worry about my form group over the holidays.

[WhomessweetWhomes]

Never heard of this either. Have been a teacher for 20 years.