unapproachable teachers

[spongecustard]

i generally feel that i cannot approach ds teachers (he is in reception), without being made to feel like a pushy parent. He is doing well with his reading and writing, but if i ask any questions re. this (i have done only very rarely), they just generally give some half hearted answer. He gets 2 reading books sent home each week so we normally change these mid week because, luckily for me, he really enjoys reading with me every night. Do you think this has made the teachers think i am pushy? Or am i being paranoid?

I'm not looking for a fight or a my jobs harder than yours discussion just trying to point out that teachers aren't always available to chat after school much as we would like and sometimes it's better to phone ahead to see if the teacher is free to discuss your concerns

i have a child in reception too and he has memorised his reading books by Monday evening, which defeats the purpose a bit ! So we just read books from home or from the local library . As we live in the country we have a library bus, which is twice as much fun

If your school is using Oxford Reading Tree there is a good set of 31 books here for £15

I agree that you shoudl make an appointment to discuss major concerns - that way the teacher will be able to give you his/her full attention. I can never concentrate fully with my kids running around and i only have 3

I think teachers could be in a bit of a no win situation here.

Imagine the thread title 'DS's teacher was so busy talking to another parent that she didn't see him leave the playground' or 'At the start of the day the class teacher makes no attempt to help my unsettled child because she is chatting to parents'

I am always happy to see parents if they make an appointment, being expected to be available on tap can become wearing and unfortunately some parents can take advantage of this.

Last year there was a pupil in my class whose mother came to see me at least 3 times a week demanding my attention at once. When parents evenings came she didnt show up for her appointment.
The next day when I approached her she said 'I didn't need to come - I can see you anytime I want'
Luckily most of the other 29 sets of parents weren't like her...