Not sure what to think of this comment at my son’s parents evening

[Blackdore]

He's 5 and in reception. It was his first parents evening.
Teacher said mostly positive things and that he’s very fun and clever, picks things up quickly.

In a joking way she said “he’ll either take over the world or destroy it”
I laughed it off , but when I told a friend she was quite shocked and thought it wasn’t funny or appropriate.

It means he has great potential!

It's a standard saying. A variation on 'He'll either end up in the White House or in jail'.

Yes.....

It means your child has strength of character

Although if in any doubt don't give him the codes to the nuclear missiles

It's a joke. Your friend is the reason people don't want to become teachers anymore. Imagine being offended by that. 😂

It means he’s like a bull in a china shop. Nothing awful meant by it. Some kids leave a little trail of ‘destruction’ behind them. They just do. I was ( still am in truth) when I was a kid. My headmistress told my mum I’d trip over a matchstick on the floor. She wasn’t wrong!

Is no-one allowed to joke anymore?

All 5yr olds are a force of nature. Somehow they get away with it by being so darn cute🤗

I think it's nice - you wouldn't say this about a child you hadn't warmed to. I like it when teachers see my children as they are - like individuals. My sons first school was like a primary education factory - none of the staff knew anything about him. I much prefer the personal approach.

I am so glad that I changed my mind and didn't go into teaching!

It's a warm hearted comment. She is fond of him and thinks he has a lot about him.

Your friend needs to give her head a wobble
It's been ages since I saw a MN give your head a wobble comment, and I 100% agree.

The friend sounds like one of those people who looks for offence and drama.

Most parents were great when I did parents evenings, but some were hard work and you couldn't win. Keep it very cool and factual and you don't like their kid or you don't know them very well. Be light hearted and positive alongside academic comments and you're unprofessional, shouldn't say that, how dare you.

Think it's a great comment to make, shows good self-esteem and strength. Many children are very wishy-washy and incredibly timid and quiet, the majority of children are, so I wouldn't take offence at all. I'd be thrilled.

Love a good head wobble

I often say that it’s clear my daughter is going to be a leader. I just hope it’s a company and not a prison gang.

Mine too!

I actually think that’s a brilliant comment! Similar things have been said about my son. It means he’s a leader and self sufficient. What did they say about your friends child- maybe she’s a little jealous!

Sounds like your friend is one of those people who look for things to be offended by. The teacher obviously thinks your child is great - enjoy it!

Your friend is a monumental melt. Probably one of those imbeciles trying to cancel Band Aid. Your child simply has a strong character, which is rather a vital asset in today’s cutthroat real world. You’re clearly doing some good parenting, you just need some new friends - the type that aren’t perpetually offended.

When i was 15, my PE teacher wrote in my school report (put down on paper to remain for all eternity) that I "was an accident waiting to happen!'.
Now, it turns out that I had experienced a few accidents and broken a couple of bones over the previous few years, but we didn't need reminding, nor did we find it to be a 'funny' teacher 'joke'.
It was 11 years later, that we finally discovered the reason for my accident-proneness (is that a real word?), I was diagnosed with MS and had been experiencing symptoms since I was about 9 yrs old.
A few years later I met said teacher in the supermarket, and i had an arm in plaster at the time, she recognised me, and repeated the line she'd written all those years before. The look on her face was an absolute (bright pink) picture when I told her that there was a genuine, very serious reason for my accidents/injuries.

Basically, what I'm saying here is that sometimes, people say things either without thinking of the effects their words might have on someone, or thinking (wrongly) that everyone is on their 'jokey' wavelength, but just occasionally, the person on the receiving end will have the last laugh at some later point. (I can assure you that MS is no laughing matter, it was the look of sheer embarrassment on her face that I found funny).

wrong thread! have reported it.

My favourite school report was an art teach who said, "Iwasafool couldn't draw a straight line with the aid of a ruler." I was recounting this to a friend who is an artist and she just looked puzzled and said, "why would you want to draw a straight line."