The issue of dealing with difficult parents is one of the most common topics of discussion amongst fellow teachers over coffee or tea. Before I even decided upon teaching as a career, I have “gathered” sufficient information accidentally (or otherwise) from paying attention to what other teachers have to say about the typical Singaporean parent.
According to the personal experiences of many teaching professionals I know, parents in Singapore can be placed on a spectrum with overly concerned parents on one end and completely nonchalant and irresponsible ones on the other extreme. As for parents who are overly concerned about the well-being of their children, they get extremely uptight about the way teachers discipline their children and as teachers. To a
void potential clashes with such parents, I have been advised to be very careful about punishing or reprimanding them. “Just leave them alone”, I have been warned. Nonchalant parents are not any easier to handle when they leave the entire burden of teaching and guiding their children on the shoulders of the teacher. When anything goes wrong, accusations fly straight in your direction before you can erect your defenses and indiscriminate finger-pointing is commonplace.
However, it is important to recognize that “effective collaboration between educators and families will ensure that our young receive the maximum guidance and help them navigate confidently through life” (Tan-Kek Lee Yong, Deputy Director, Ministry of Education). Parents are the mai
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