I have a meeting with one of the many deputies at my DC's large secondary school tomorrow, in order to address bullying concerns which have remained uresolved despite my attempts. That in itself is another (and more serious) story posted on the Bullying thread in "Education" but on a lighter note, why do I feel so much in awe of DC's teachers, some of whom are younger than me when times have changed so much and there is so much more informality now?
The differences between my school, a small and strict city C/E grammar and my DC's huge town comprehensive are immense. Thirty years ago when I was DD1's age, you stood, hands behind your back when an adult entered the room, chorusing "Good morning Mrs X/Sir", be they teacher or visitor, and waited for the small, almost imperceptible nod by a suited and booted superior before you sat down in silence.
Much has changed and now teachers wear casual clothes, some in other schools are called by first names and children don't react with the same respect as I did all those years ago... okay, I may not like that, but I accept it.
So why is it, now that I am approaching DC's school with a genuine unresolved grievance, I feel like I am in the lower fourth, covered in ink and in such awe of their teachers? Why do I feel like one of their naughty schoolchildren and not on their level at 44 years of age?
Does any other parent feel like this when they have a problem which they have to discuss with their DC's teachers or is it just me?