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AIBU?

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Original poster

A child with a lot of personality

186 replies

Wanttogetoffthehamsterwheel · 19/07/2023 21:38

Dd, 5, report stated this…any teachers here (or anyone else) that can read through this teacher speak 😂
Is this a positive or negative thing?

OP posts:
Tessabelle74 · 19/07/2023 23:22

Your child is annoying, sorry

illiterato · 19/07/2023 23:25

Dd is one of those kids. There are honestly pluses and minuses and tbh her teachers have been more explicit about where she needs to just wind it in a bit. Ie being mindful that not everyone wants to talk constantly or hear you talk constantly- some people find it exhausting- and not turning the classroom into the “DD Show” because it’s annoying and sometimes disruptive. It’s helped her find a better balance- she’s still very extroverted but more mindful that she needs to just tone it down sometimes. I think she’s actually happier now she doesn’t see her defacto role as “class entertainer”. I’m glad the school raised it tbh.

Purplestorm83 · 19/07/2023 23:26

I work with children and prefer those who have a bit of personality - they are often more self-sufficient and able to come up with their own ideas etc. it could also be code for domineering, bossy, a bit of a show off/class clown but all kids are individuals and can all have difficult behaviour/less likeable traits.

Tailfeather · 19/07/2023 23:39

'What is a child with no personality?'

I know quite a few!

Walesagogo · 19/07/2023 23:39

Comes across as being strong willed and doesn't react well to being told what to do, especially if being told off.

kiwivick87 · 19/07/2023 23:48

You know your child more than anyone else. Is he tricky or is he just outgoing? I think teacher either thinks he is lovely or precocious 🤷‍♀️

purpleboy · 19/07/2023 23:50

BodegaSushi · 19/07/2023 21:59

Oh wow ignore the negativity. Any child I describe with a personality is full of life and fun. And not a boring lump.

I hope to fuck you're not a teacher 😳

purpleboy · 19/07/2023 23:54

jaffacakeany1 · 19/07/2023 22:55

Would you prefer a child with no personality? I certainly wouldn't. I'd be tempted to ask the teacher the same question.

How can a child have no personality?

purpleboy · 19/07/2023 23:58

I'm a bit shocked at the way some teachers on this thread are describing children. I think a lot of you are in the wrong jobs and quite frankly disgusting.

BodegaSushi · 20/07/2023 00:20

willWillSmithsmith · 19/07/2023 23:16

That doesn’t seem very nice describing quieter young kids as boring lumps😯

Show quote history

I haven’t attached being loud or being quiet to anything. But keep on stretching.

holycannaloni · 20/07/2023 00:27

purpleboy · 19/07/2023 23:58

I'm a bit shocked at the way some teachers on this thread are describing children. I think a lot of you are in the wrong jobs and quite frankly disgusting.

I’m presuming you’ve never been friends with any teachers… this is exactly the way all my friends who are teachers (and I have a few!) speak about the kids they teach! I find it funny to imagine what my kids teachers have said about them over the years, like I’ve complained about colleagues! No need to be so po-faced. Teachers are people too, off the clock.

MeinKraft · 20/07/2023 00:31

I'm sure the teacher would love a class full of quiet little hard working mice but unfortunately for them, some kids are exuberant. He sounds full of fun to me OP, who cares what she thinks.

Radiodread · 20/07/2023 00:33

All children have a lot of personality. Some are just more demanding of those around them when it comes to dealing with that personality.

it sounds like your child won’t struggle to be noticed in life which is great, but like any comment on their character you have to think of what your role is to smooth off the rough edges your child comes with. Lots of personality, expressive and emotional? Great, so show them how to be quiet, self-effacing and employ self-restraint when needed. Job done.

NeedToChangeName · 20/07/2023 00:33

If it's intended as a compliment, then it's not a good one, if it's not clear what is meant

TBH, I don't think it's a compliment overall. Sounds like teacher thinks DD is a loudmouth

Bur, the "lots of personality" 5 year old I knew has turned into a delightful young adult

Lleys · 20/07/2023 00:34

Little guide here ...

Lleys · 20/07/2023 00:35

Try again!

A child with a lot of personality
LaMaG · 20/07/2023 00:39

They probably exasperate and delight the teacher in equal measure.

Totally agree. I teach pre school and the big personality kids are the ones who are full of life and mischief and absolutely drive us mad as they chance their arm at anything when our backs are turned but they are always the ones we remember fondly and laugh about, sometimes the hardest ones to say goodbye to. I would take it as a compliment personally but I think you need to clarify it OP.

Radiodread · 20/07/2023 00:42

@Lleys oh god no, strong disagree. Yes to celebrating strengths, particularly for girls who are often slurred by words like “bossy”… but tempered with a bit of humility and self reflection. Some traits, or behaviours, are just too much and need reining in.

Confusedmeanderings · 20/07/2023 00:56

Another retired teacher here and I would definitely mean it as a compliment.

purpleboy · 20/07/2023 01:12

@holycannaloni maybe it's the type of teachers we associate with because certainly the teachers I know don't describe their students as boring lumps, that would not be normal and I would seriously question the type of person who thinks language like that is ok to use about small children.

SD1978 · 20/07/2023 01:21

You'd have to ask but I wouldn't see that as a compliment necessarily- basically a child who is louder and more a 'presence' than other kids. I'd see it as someone who was loud, doesn't focus, and probably not great with their emotions.

plasticwallet · 20/07/2023 04:28

How can a child have no personality?

Well there's loads of adults without one so I assume it started in childhood!

StopStartStop · 20/07/2023 05:39

Yet another retired teacher. I would expect a child with 'a lot of personality' to be self-important, inconsiderate of others, disruptive in class, uncooperative - basically not willing to conform to expectations.

geoger · 20/07/2023 06:06

Cocobobbins · 19/07/2023 22:22

Retired teacher here. I’d mean it as a compliment, a recognition of individuality and self-confidence. Such children are a delight to teach.

This! I’m a teacher too and I’d mean it as a compliment

Restlessinthenorth · 20/07/2023 06:21

I'd absolutely take it as a compliment wether it was intended as such or not! Because the opposite is "not a lot of personality". I know which one I would prefer!