Today, I am annoyed with myself. Ellie's teacher tells me that Ellie has not handed in around 16 pieces of work. Ellie is usually quite a conscientious pupil, so I am a bit concerned as to why she hasn't done her work. It turns out that some of the assignments, she has submitted, or at least thought she has, but they have not been sent through. Others, she does not even know were there until the teacher suggests where we can find them.
I am annoyed because I must admit, I do not check Ellie's work. She is a very independent girl and likes sending off her work when she is finished rather than have me check it. Also, what she has submitted always comes back with a positive report. Still, I cannot escape that feeling that I have been a lazy parent.
When I was at school, I always thought teachers' children had some private inroad to extra information. They discussed exam papers at dinner or their parents coached them at the weekends. When I started teaching, one of the first things I noticed was how many teachers' children were not top of the class or form; in fact, they were often C students, B at best.
Unless you are a teacher, you will not understand how much time we give to students, especially at the moment. Many of us will willingly arrange times to help pupils, even if it means giving up break and lunchtimes and marking extra work. However, we are ironically guilty of deserting our own children and their needs.
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