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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want all parents of teenagers to know

41 replies

enjolraslove · 19/06/2012 20:59

that I have just been away with 50 of them for the last few days(school trip) and they were just wonderful. I could not have asked for a nicer, kinder, more responsible and fun group. Today they were being very secretive at lunchtime which normally heralds disaster but it was because they had bought thank you cards for all the staff and were getting them signed (that really did make me cry). I am so incredibly proud of them and their parents should be too.
That's my good bit. Bad bit, not one parent (and about half got picked up by car- rest got buses home) even spoke to a teacher, let alone thanked them.
So my question aibu to think that these kids really are incredible to be so good given what appears to be a total lack of good examples from their parents. Honestly these were a really mixed bunch, lots of serious trouble etc but they were just a delight the whole time.

OP posts:

stressheaderic · 19/06/2012 21:05

I absolutely love taking kids on school trips - it gives me a renewed sense of energy for my job (high school teacher). It's great to spend time with them without the grind of getting them through the levels/grades.
And yes I agree, most parents will just pick up the suitcase and walk off. Doesn't bother me though, most of the kids say thanks.

AnyoneForTennis · 19/06/2012 21:07

Bless you both! I LOVE teachers!

I have teens. One just today finished her A levels so we are both sad she has left. Other one goes to the trenches next month on history trip so I will ensure I have a word at pick up time.

MrsjayDepp · 19/06/2012 21:09

we love teachers taking the teens away Im glad you had a wonderful time and they all appreciated you

Zondra · 19/06/2012 21:19

Awwww! That's fab to hear! :)
My son recently went away for a few days to London & was a bit homesick but, thanks to the lovely teachers it all came good in the end.

marriedinwhite · 19/06/2012 21:22

The children must have learnt those manners somewhere and it might have been from the parents. Do you think the parents might have felt that you were very tired, very busy and wouldn't want to be bothered with small talk. Did you appear too busy.

FWIW we always give the teacher who has been in charge of either of the dc's group a decent bottle of wine on return with a little thank you for keeping an eye out for them. Always wondered why they look so surprised!

mummydarkling · 19/06/2012 21:23

My son went on a geog trip and had a great time. I did thank the teachers but felt a little shy or worried in case they then stopped me to tell me what a nightmare he had been, maybe they (the parents) daren't talk to you. But good for you and your kids!

alphabite · 19/06/2012 21:25

Good ole kids. Well done to them.

OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos · 19/06/2012 21:25

That's a lovely post, apart from the bit about the parents! Its nice to hear nice things being said about teenagers for once.

landofsoapandglory · 19/06/2012 21:25

It's so nice when teachers post, or say, things like this. I always say Thank You to the teachers when I pick up my DC from trips.

I think teens get such a bad press on the whole, there are far more lovely ones, than horrible ones. I absolutely love mine!

jazzchickens · 19/06/2012 21:27

Lovely to hear positive comments about teenagers.

AnyoneForTennis · 19/06/2012 21:28

I love hearing dd and her mates discussing their teachers. They have loads of stories and usually revolves round humour. lots of 'remember the time when....' it's lovely to hear because it's rarely negative comments. Some teachers are 'legends' now and won't be forgotten.

Dd loves to see her brothers timetable to see if he has any of her 'old' teachers. I'm feeling quite tearful now.

CaliforniaLeaving · 19/06/2012 21:29

Well as the parent of a teen and one who used to be a teen and one still yet to reach teendom,, I say thank you
Nice to hear good things about teens for a change.

Moomoomie · 19/06/2012 21:32

I must admit when I picked dd up from her resedential trip, we did not thank the teachers because it was total chaos. 80 children, parents, suitcase etc.
My dd did write her a thank you letter the following week though which I encouraged her to do.

JamieandTheOlympicTorch · 19/06/2012 21:35

I like a good "positive stuff about teens" thread. Make me less scared (11 year old DS)

Maryz · 19/06/2012 21:39

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Kennyp · 19/06/2012 21:42

What a fab post. :). You have nudged me to get chocolates for dd teacher who s taking them for a trip on friday AND you have reminded me to say thank you tewo the teach tooooo!! Thanks. Genuinely!

Glad you had such a great time. :)

landofsoapandglory · 19/06/2012 21:43

Jamie don't be scared about your DS being a teen, my 2 boys have been lovely teens. They are 15&17 and we are yet to have them be bolshy horrors, or come home drunk, or just be how teens are portrayed in the media etc!

I had a right laugh with Ds1 last week when we were stuck in a traffic jam for an hour and a half! He is at home at the moment and I am thoroughly enjoying his company and will miss him when he goes back to school next week.

DS 2 is lovely and is a joy to have around. He is helpful and respectful both at home and at school. He looks after me a lot because I am disabled, I wouldn't be able to do a lot of what I do do if it weren't for him!

Mrsjay · 19/06/2012 21:53

teenager are alright you know jamie they really are I have 2 and i love them (couldnt eat a whole 1 though) you do get wayward kids but they are not all as bad as they are made out, I really havn't come across a really evil teenager

PedanticPanda · 19/06/2012 21:56

Are teachers paid for school trips that are outside the usual 9am - 3pm hours?

Maryz · 19/06/2012 21:59

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MaureenMLove · 19/06/2012 22:06

Teenagers are the best! I have a massive sense of loss atm, as our Yr11 students are now only drifting in and out of school for exams and I truely loved this lot.

A couple of girls shouted to me from the other end of the corridor today, to get my attention and we had a lovely chat about exams and life etc. Both gave me a hug and said they'd miss me. Brought a tear to me eye, I tell ya!

And god love the teachers. Especially those suffering the strain of GCSE's and A levels too! Our teachers are almost running on empty now and still they muster the energy to take dozens and dozens of kids on end of term trips!

You have all earned 6 weeks lying on the sofa as far as I'm concerned!

BackforGood · 19/06/2012 22:07

Pedantic - no. No extra pay, no time off in lieu, all just "for the love of it"

Thanks for starting the thread though - nice to have nice posts about all the lovely teens out there.
I'm not surprised about the parents though - I always go and thank the teachers (or volunteers) after sports fixtures and concerts and all the things they do 'over and above' and am amazed how often I seem to be the only one

Mrsjay · 19/06/2012 22:08

I was being a bit tongue in cheek maryz did you have to sit down with shock after the chat

EchoBitch · 19/06/2012 22:14

This is lovely...i love teenagers too.

They're nowhere near all bad.

They are funny and kind and clever and just new. iyswim.

What's not to like?

Mrsjay · 19/06/2012 22:16

whats not to like welll there is hormones huffs puffs arguing with friends arguing over friends banging doors stomping sigh and it can all be in an evening

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