Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Parents Divorcing You are an elementary teacher, and Wesley Midstuck is one of your students. Wesley's parents are in the midst of a divorce and custody is an issue. You correspond with both parents regularly, however, it seems that their main concern is "digging up dirt" on each other. An example, Wesley came from Dad's on a cool fall day recently, and Mom emailed to see whether or not he had a jacket. How would you handle this situation? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) These situations are SO difficult. I can relate to this issue with a step-son; his mom has text wondering if he was fed the days we had him. It is important to not take sides, as the students' teacher. When another parent asks questions that are not related to the students' well-being or learning, I would simply ignore the situation. After-all, you have many other students and can not be responsible for their negativity being thrown back and forth.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Rated On: April 18, 2013 7:26 pm Rated By: RumuVa                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: This is not the best answer and solution for this case. Rated On: October 18, 2014 9:45 am Rated By: zemyRy                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: I would not ignore the situation. The comments will continue and you as a teacher would be allowing the behavior. There needs to be a parent-teacher conference with both parents and proper administration so the point get across with out having more problems. Rated On: October 18, 2014 3:00 pm Rated By: Holly Ebbert                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Correct, you have many other students to worry about as well. Rated On: October 20, 2014 12:11 am Rated By: Sanubu                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: I would never do this. I don't think it is wise as the teacher to ignore the parent about the situation. If anything, respond simply stating that you don't feel comfortable getting in the middle of the situation at hand, and to not contact you in these types of situations. Rated On: October 20, 2014 2:33 am Rated By: SegaHu                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: I don't find it a great idea to ignore the questions being asked, the parent may become upset. Rated On: February 20, 2015 3:22 pm Rated By: ehaZeb                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: may escalate the situation Rated On: February 27, 2015 5:07 pm Rated By: qyMeda                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: I do not think it is appropriate to ignore the situation because it does involve the child in your classroom. I would at least email the parent back and explain to them that you would have to talk to the other parent for example if the child is wearing a jacket and that you are just the teacher and should not be involved. I would explain that if they are concerned about his grades or has anything to do with school-based assignments, etc. that you would gladly help but like I said I don't think it is best to ignore the other parent. Rated On: March 1, 2015 4:32 pm Rated By: NaHuVa                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: It is important not to take sides, but I do not think ignoring the situation will help any. Rated On: October 2, 2015 8:24 pm Rated By: aDuvej                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: I do not think in this solution it is appropriate to ignore all parent interaction. Even though it is not appropriate to always answer some questions, a teacher should atleast acknowledge that there was a question asked but follow it with they are not comfortable answering such questions. However, I do like your solution where it outlines that involvement with teacher and the divorcing parents should solely be "well-being and learning" of student. Rated On: July 6, 2016 3:09 am Rated By: aWyVys                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: This answer was very helpful and I will keep it in mind for future experiences like this Rated On: July 4, 2018 3:17 pm Rated By: eReXaG                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) No The suggested solution is relevant to the case No The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement No The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue No The suggested solution is original No Comments: I don't believe ignoring a parent is going to help anything in the future and will just make them angry. Rated On: February 24, 2019 6:39 pm Rated By: upehaS