Has anyone ever cried at child's school?

[Nogodsnomasters]

I cried at my child's school today in front of the principal and receptionist and I have never been so mortified in my entire life. Ds10 has autism and is really struggling with severe anxiety at the moment and had a new medical diagnosis this year also plus today is the 10yr anniversary of my sister's passing so it was already a hard day. My son is year 6 and I have never cried at his school before. Please someone tell me that they'll have seen it before from other parents and I'm not a dickhead!

I really don' tthink it's odd. I mean, I guess there's the odd parent who seems to cry all the time for no reason, but it's certainly not the norm and most of us are just tryig to get on with things so of coure teachers understand. I told DS' teacher that when I got his SATs I burst into tears I was so relieved and she said "I know, I nearly cried myself". He had worked so hard, his teacher had supported him so much and we were all SOOO worried how he would cope when he got to high school that I think the relief just overwhelmed us all!

About 6 months after my mum died, DS was in reception and I lost one of her ear rings on the playground. No one knew me and I was standing there crying and completely in pieces. I will never forget the kindness of the two women with children in higher year groups who came over, found my ear ring and helped me.

Yes! DD in year13 , final term and still mucking about! If you are an intentional parent and you will have these moments!

They were lovely, the receptionist hugged me and the principal put gave my shoulder a squeeze. I just felt so embarrassed!

I have.
Nobody will think bad of you. Your emotions show that you care.

Thank you for that. That's exactly what I am right now.

There's nothing to be embarrassed about. They understand what you're going through.

You're in the same boat! They're also helping me these lovely comments.

Fellow SEN mum and I absolutely cried infront of SENCO and other staff when he was in mainstream.

Many times, in front of teachers, support staff, Sendco, head teacher.

I spent my career teaching in special schools, and parents in your position would often cry.

I saw it as positive. That we provided somewhere where they could safely express their emotions, and not be judged. More than once I had a father sob, and tell me that he'd never cried about his child in front of anyone before. And I was so glad that they finally had an outlet.

So there's no need to be embarrassed at all. They'll be glad that you were able to let that emotion out, and have great empathy for you.

Yes, and I’ve seen lots of staff cry. Don’t worry about it. Someone else will be in tears tomorrow.

Yes, at least three times in different schools for various reasons.

You're definitely not alone op!

Good point. I haven’t done it at special only mainstream. Maybe it’s just because he gets school transport.

Of course you're not a dickhead. Be kind to yourself ❤️

As a parent I’ve cried many times and I’m sure I will again! I’ve 2 daughters who both have experienced bullying and one daughter is autistic. I rarely cry in front of anyone, ever,
but I think it’s a combination of being in a safe space and also feeling completely overwhelmed.

I was a teacher for a long time, so well used to keeping my emotions in check. It’s entirely different as a parent though.

Oh definitely. I cried the day DS started because he looked so small and I didn't want to leave him.

I cried again when they told me he was falling behind and it wasn't because of his autism, no, it was my fault because I didn't read to him (I did).

I was taken to a private room and given many tissues as a cried my eyes out after me and DS's Dad broke up - it was extremely serious (police involved), ex wasn't allowed anywhere near us so needed to sort out safeguarding and it had happened in the summer holidays so they were just finding out about it all.

I'm sure they've seen much, much worse OP 💐

There is no shame at all in crying. They won't judge you in any way for this. You care about your child and it is a stressful time for you. You are human. 💐

Cried at school many many times (child with additional needs) for both sad and happy reasons and been met with nothing but kindness and support every time. I’ve also had members of staff get emotional over my child once or twice!

Honestly I think staff would prefer a clearly involved and loving parent who was occasionally a bit tearful to parents who either didn’t care or were aggressive towards staff (both of which I’ve witnessed). Don’t worry about it.

Yep bawled my eyes out with the family liaison member of staff

I used to work in a school and have definitely had more than a few parents cry with me so honestly don't worry.

Yes lots of times. DS is in 6th year (Scotland) and I bawled down the phone to one of his teachers just the other week.

Yes, on several occasions! On his transition day (heavily pregnant). At his first parents evening - not pregnant but still hormonal. When younger DS would not go into school, i've cried leaving him screaming in reception.

When they called me in for a meeting when I had said in front of my 5 yr old there wasn't enough food left for me to eat that's why I was having toast (SD had turned up last minute so offered her my curry, he told the school I wasn't eating at home and they called me in to offer support if i was being abused) - when in fact my son was being bullied by his 'friends' and that's why he did not want to go into school but that's another story

Yes, when DD was bullied age 9 and a teacher witnessed something horrendous and told me about it. It just broke me. Don't worry I am sure they see it all the time and will understand.

And I'm sorry about your sister and the anniversary. I lost mine 13 years ago. It's still so hard. Sending you hugs.

I recently cried at a meeting with DS's teacher when we were discussing some problems he is having emotional/socially.
Strategies were put in place and he has come on leaps and bounds these last few months.
I cried this morning when the teacher was feeding back about his progress.
I think she is getting a sense of where his emotional side is coming from 😀

I'm a teacher, and have had several parents crying in front of my over the years. I've never judged them, and I'm sure no one at your child's school is judging you either, @Nogodsnomasters.