When my Dc were small I was working f-t and not really involved in their school life. Now I'm working p-t in their school.
I has come as a huge shock to me just how difficult life is for lots of families. From my financially comfortable, stable family life I just had no idea.
The child who is completely uncontrollable is actually a victim of child abuse and now living with foster carers.
The mother who doesn't manage to dress for the school run spent the night with severely disabled child and alcoholic father.
The boy who is regularly violent to others learnt that behaviour from his mother's boyfriend/grandfather/older brother.
The poor attendance is because the child has to get himself up and out while mum sleeps off her hangover.
Or because he's caring for seriously ill parents in another way.
Being asked for £10 for a school trip is make or break for lots of families.
Obviously I knew there were some people with really difficult circumstances, but I have been surprised at the sheer number of them. Also the way that "poor parenting" always has a reason behind it. The vast majority of parents do care and are doing their best, some have unbelievable things to deal with and/or no experience of what good parenting is.
Also most of the "difficult" children have experienced things that "normal" children could never imagine. We sometimes see people here talk about others' bad behaviour, but there is almost always an understandable reason for it, if only we knew (which we never will)
AIBU?
to be surprised just how hard life is for some children/families?
SchoolNameChanger · 08/02/2013 17:49
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