For those of us raised by educators, the classroom never truly closed. We learned to abide by rules, maintain proper posture, and avoid irritating our instructors. Our assignments always had to meet high standards, thanks to our parents’ insider knowledge of the education system. My father would often spend late nights perfecting my science project with creative elements that even the child of a marketing professional might overlook. While society might label this as overinvolvement, I see it as the experience of growing up with a teacher as a parent.
Here are 20 relatable truths for anyone raised by a teacher:
- Mediocre Work Is Not an Option: When tasked with writing a journal entry from the Civil War, I turned in a piece on aged parchment. Who doesn’t spend their evenings turning in homework that’s practically a work of art? (Pro tip for antiqued paper: Soak coarse paper in a wet tea bag, bake it, and singe the edges for effect.)
- Unexpected Contest Wins: Teachers often kept quiet about which assignments could be submitted for contests, but I suspect my mom was always in the know. As a result, I found myself winning awards for essays and artwork I didn’t even realize were contest entries.
- Lunchtime Schedule: Expecting lunch at 10:45 a.m. was standard, even on weekends. And breakfast? Let’s just say it was early.
- Basics Are for Beginners: By age two, you better have your letters, numbers, and colors down pat. If not, you were already behind in your academic journey!
- Mastering “The Look”: The disappointed teacher look is an art form. My mother perfected this look at home, signaling that I was about to cross a line.
- Beware the “Teacher Voice”: When my parent switched to their authoritative tone, I knew it was time to straighten up.
- Classroom Behavior Matters: Misbehavior was not an option, especially with your parent in good standing with all your teachers. Forget excuses; your parent received a full report after class.
- Classroom Setup Skills: Instead of babysitters, my mom took me to school at the start of the year to help arrange her classroom. I learned early how to create the perfect learning environment.
- Skipping School Was Out of the Question: Playing hooky would have been the height of embarrassment.
- Teacher Gossip Is Riveting: Conversations about faculty happenings were as entertaining as reality TV, until they turned into something newsworthy.
- Nightly Lunch Prep: Preparing lunch the evening before was non-negotiable.
- Garage Full of Supplies: Our garage was a treasure trove of educational materials.
- Grading Is Paramount: The importance of grading was instilled in me from day one.
- School Days Never Really End: For my parent, the school day continued long after the students left.
- Commenting on Summer Breaks Is a No-Go: Mentioning teachers having summers off could unleash a torrent of frustration.
- Homework Is Always Required: You could never skip homework; your parent was still busy with theirs.
- No Parent-Teacher Conference Woes: My parent never needed to worry about attending conferences—they already knew everything.
- Playtime Restrictions: While playing doctor or house was acceptable, pretending to run a school could send my parent into a frenzy.
- End of the Day Exhaustion: By the end of the day, my parent was often exhausted from dealing with kids, and I was no exception.
- Avoid the Teaching Career: Whenever someone asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, saying “teacher” was off the table. My mom dealt with enough stress from students, parents, and the system, and she taught us to seek a career that, while still challenging, at least offered better pay.
Reflecting on my extensive education, spanning a whopping 22 years, I never felt drawn to teaching. The idea of managing a classroom full of children all day long seemed daunting! However, the camaraderie in the cafeteria, late-night report writing, and the thrill of sneaking notes in class were all part of a comforting student life. I hope my son feels equally at ease in school and develops a zest for learning. If he struggles, I might just bring in my mom as a substitute teacher—she’s got the experience!
If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination options or parenting tips, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and also explore week-by-week insights on the journey to parenthood. For more information on home insemination kits, visit this blog post.
Summary: Growing up with a teacher as a parent means adhering to high standards in education, navigating a unique set of family dynamics, and embracing lessons that extend beyond the classroom. From mastering projects to navigating behavioral expectations, the experience shapes a distinctive childhood that blends the academic world with family life.