Last week, while rummaging around in my son’s school bag to retrieve stray apples, half-empty drink cartons and homework, I saw a handwritten letter addressed to me and my husband. I was mildly flustered as I ripped open the envelope. What could this be? Was someone inviting us to a party? Had we been called before the Board of Management? Were we the winners of the school raffle prize?
 
No. We were being invited to discuss our child’s progress with his teacher. I knew this was coming – and we have been looking forward to the opportunity to hear how our child is getting on since he started Junior Infants in September, but suddenly all sorts of thoughts ran through my head: were we the only parents being invited in? Was there a problem we’d been going along blissfully unaware of? Perhaps our child was showing true genius potential and was being recommended for a scholarship to Harvard? It’s amazing how the prospect of meeting the teacher brings out all these worries, doubts and unrealistic expectations! 

I have since been assured by a friend who is a teacher that this will be a very straightforward meeting which will only last about ten minutes, so I should relax about it. Reading the School Days tips on how to approach a Parent/Teacher meeting has certainly helped allay my fears, but I just know that I will go in there with my heart thumping with anticipation.
 
Hopefully, I will come out with my heart bursting with pride.

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