09/08/2026
WHAT SHOULD A PARENT DO WHEN A CHILD COMPLAINS ABOUT A TEACHER?
One day, your child may come home and say:
"Mum, my teacher doesn't like me."
"Dad, the teacher shouted at me."
"The teacher punished me for something I didn't do."
"I don't like that teacher."
As a parent, your first reaction may be to become angry and immediately defend your child.
But STOP. Listen first.
Your child deserves to be heard, but listening does not automatically mean accepting every accusation as the complete truth.
1️⃣ Listen calmly
Give your child an opportunity to explain what happened.
Ask questions such as:
“What happened?”
“What happened before the teacher reacted?”
“Were there other learners involved?”
“What did you do?”
Avoid immediately saying:
❌ “That teacher is terrible.”
❌ “I will deal with that teacher tomorrow.”
❌ “My child can never do such a thing.”
Such statements can make a child believe that the teacher is always the problem.
2️⃣ Find out the other side of the story
Remember that your child is giving you their version of events.
Before confronting the teacher, calmly seek clarification from the school.
The teacher may provide information your child did not mention.
This does not mean that the child is lying. Children sometimes misunderstand situations, forget important details, or leave out their own contribution to a problem.
3️⃣ Teach your child that correction is not hatred
Sometimes a child says:
“My teacher doesn't like me.”
But what actually happened may be that the teacher corrected them for:
- coming late;
- failing to complete an assignment;
- disturbing other learners;
- refusing to follow instructions;
- bullying another learner;
- being disrespectful; or
- failing to observe school rules.
A teacher correcting a child does not necessarily mean the teacher dislikes that child.
Correction is part of education.
4️⃣ Don't attack the teacher in front of your child
Even when you disagree with the teacher, avoid insulting or humiliating them in front of your child.
Why?
Because your child is learning from your behaviour.
If you teach your child to respect others but they hear you disrespecting their teacher, your message becomes confusing.
Discuss serious disagreements privately and respectfully.
5️⃣ Contact the teacher when necessary
If the complaint is serious or continues to bother you, communicate with the teacher.
Instead of saying:
❌ “Why are you always mistreating my child?”
Try:
✅ “My child came home concerned about what happened today. Could you please help me understand what happened from your perspective?”
The second approach opens the door for dialogue instead of conflict.
6️⃣ Know when the matter is serious
Not every complaint should simply be dismissed as "school discipline."
If your child reports issues involving bullying, harassment, discrimination, abuse, threats, or serious mistreatment, take the matter seriously and follow the appropriate school reporting procedures.
Protecting your child and respecting teachers are not opposing goals.
You can do both.
7️⃣ Teach your child how to handle disagreements
School is preparation for life.
Your child will eventually encounter difficult teachers, employers, colleagues, supervisors, neighbours and other people.
Teach them to:
Speak respectfully.
Listen to other people's views.
Accept correction.
Explain their side calmly.
Seek help when necessary.
These skills are more valuable than simply winning every argument.
❤️ THE BIGGER PICTURE
Parents and teachers are not supposed to compete for control over a child.
They are supposed to work together for the child's welfare.
When a child complains about a teacher, don't immediately ask:
“Whose side should I take?”
Ask:
“How can I understand what happened and help my child learn from it?”
That approach can turn a difficult situation into an important learning opportunity.
Dear Parent, listen to your child. Protect your child. But also teach your child fairness, responsibility and respect.
👉 What should a parent do when a child comes home complaining about a teacher? Share your thoughts in the comments.
