Would I like to get a week off from work for Thanksgiving? Sure. Two weeks off for winter break? Of course. 10 weeks off for summer? Hell yes! But as awesome as that paid time off would be, I know full well I could never, ever be a teacher. I don't have the patience.
If you have more than one kid — or even if you just have one — take a second to think about how tiring it can be to keep up with them all day. Honestly think about how irritating they can be sometimes when they just won't listen. How many times have you said to yourself, "If you weren't my kid, I'd..."?
Now imagine that eight hours a day, five days a week with 20 children who aren't your own flesh and blood, some of whom are especially bad and stir up and/or hurt the other kids. No thank you.
Quiz: What Type of Parent Are You?
And don't even get me started on some of the parents! Full disclosure: I don't have any kids of my own, but sometimes there is a very clear correlation between parenting style and a child's behavior.
We've all seen that one parent at the park who's so captivated with checking Facebook on their phone that they don't even notice that their kid's about to run into traffic. You think that parent is making sure the kid does his or her homework every night?
Maybe not. But you know who is helping them learn to read, write and perform other basic human functions? Their teachers.
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So even if you're not one of those parents and your kid's not that kid, just be aware that your kid's teacher probably has to deal with at least a couple of unruly children — and the occasional crazy parent — every year, and let them know you appreciate what they do. Until teachers get the recognition they deserve, a little appreciation every once in a while can go a long way.
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