What to say when your child complains about their teacher

Raising Happiness author Christine Carter says too many parents respond by saying, "Of course she doesn't!" But this isn't the right approach.

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team

Here鈥檚 how 4 other parenting experts say to respond…

Sh*tty Moms
“Maybe it’s a good thing if your teacher says that,” says Mary Ann Zoellner, co-author — with Alicia Ybarbo — of the book “Sh*tty Mom.” Here’s their anti feel-good response. Format: Video (1:57)

Gabor Mate
The physician and best-selling co-author of Hold On to Your Kids says American parents need to consider an entirely different approach to handling this. Format: Article

Heidi Allen Garvin
Mormon Moms founder Heidi Allen Garvin says parents should take it very seriously when their child comes home with this complaint — and take action if they have to. Format: Article

John Duffy
The psychologist and author of The Available Parent says that parents aren’t necessarily helping their kids if they go straight to the teacher. Try this instead. Format: Video (1:40)

About the author

The GreatSchools Editorial Team

黄色app is a national nonprofit with a mission to help every child obtain a high-quality education that values their unique abilities, identities, and aspirations. We believe in the power of research-backed, actionable information to empower parents, family members, and educators to help make this happen. For 25 years, the GreatSchools Editorial Team has been working to make the latest, most important, and most actionable research in education, learning, and child development accessible and actionable for parents through articles, videos, podcasts, hands-on learning resources, email and text messaging programs, and more. Our team consists of journalists, researchers, academics, former teachers and education leaders 鈥� most of whom are also dedicated parents and family members 鈥� who not only research, fact check, and write or produce this information, but who use it in our daily lives as well. We welcome your feedback at editorial@great黄色apps.org.