Dear Abby: Teacher cries uncle over parents’ requests
Dear Abby I am a lecturer I love my job and I love my students However as I near the end of my th year of teaching there s something I need to get off my chest At the end of every school year numerous parents ask me to write a personal note to their candidate as an inscription in a certain children s book They request this of all of their kids teachers then give the book as a graduation gift It s a cute idea but what it amounts to is a large stack of paperwork at a time of the school year when I m already drowning in paperwork I m writing this to say publicly Please stop Parents I love your kids and I did my best to teach them and make sure they had a wonderful year I tried to instill in them a passion for learning and a love of reading I also helped them to handle tricky social situations and move forward as wiser people I am not saying this to pat myself on the back I m doing it to let you know I have ALREADY given your kids my all Before you demand that I perform an extra task for you multiply that task by and imagine what that means for me at an extremely stressful and busy time of year If you appreciate what I did for your child please show your appreciation by NOT laying extra work on me at the end of the school year Thanks Abby Already Overwhelmed in New York Dear Already Overwhelmed I m printing your letter to parents however specific of them may miss my column nowadays That is why I am suggesting that the answer to your issue may be as simple as sending a message IN ADVANCE to these well-meaning parents reminding them that this is a stressful time of year for you and please not to ask Dear Abby I have been with a man for years The first sparse years were wonderful but then he turned to drugs and became a different person I can t get away from him I work two jobs to patronage us He doesn t respect me I have requested him to leave repeatedly He refuses I leave it at that so as to avoid rocking the boat because he can be a jerk I m ready to pack up and move but everything here is mine What should I do Out the Door in the East Dear Out Schedule an appointment with an attorney to discuss your challenge You should no longer assistance your drug-addicted abuser because by doing so you have become his enabler If you feel he presents a danger to you or your property file a police summary and ask for a restraining order With their help you may certainly be able to pry him out of your home If you are afraid that he will retaliate install a prevention system For further suggestions contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline - - - or thehotline org Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren also known as Jeanne Phillips and was founded by her mother Pauline Phillips Contact Dear Abby at www DearAbby com or P O Box Los Angeles CA
