‘I let my emotions run wild in the middle of the classroom’

Patricia van Liemt is a radio host, writer and mother of Maria (12) and Phaedra (9). Every Friday she writes accurate, honest, funny and above all recognizable columns about her life and motherhood.

Sometimes, very sometimes you just can’t contain your emotions.

For example if you are giving birth or if you bang your little toe against the bed on Monday morning. Then it is almost impossible not to throw an intense reaction into the world. Okay, you might think I’m crazy, but I had one of those moments on my oldest daughter’s very first parents’ evening.

Overwhelmed by emotions

In the middle of a musty classroom, my emotions ran wild. I was completely overcome by a feeling that I could not hide. You can imagine the other fifty parents in the warm classroom staring at me in complete confusion.

chemistry test

But then what happened? Well, in front of the class was a physics teacher. The man, obviously in possession of a handy helping of ADHD, had the parents on his side from the start. His red suede shoes thought they had the leading role, but they lost their colorful character. He demonstrated a chemical experiment with great passion. While joking with a real fire burner and an iron ball, he explained something about moving molecules.

“My own chemistry teacher was so boring that you fell asleep as soon as you entered the classroom”

I thought back to my own chemistry teacher. That man was so boring that you fell asleep as soon as you entered the classroom.

Also read – That went wrong: ‘And then I got a panicky call from school’ >

Forgotten women

God my daughter was so lucky to have this nice guy. But it got even better. At one point he showed a photo on the beamer of the important gentleman who supposedly had this experiment to his name. But he also showed an old photo of a woman.

“God my daughter was so lucky to have this nice guy. But it got even better”

What turned out? Not he, but she was the mastermind behind this invention. And because so many women are left out in history, he thought it was his job to give these forgotten women a platform in his lessons! yo-hoo.

Yell and clap

You see: that was the moment I loudly applauded him. Without any embarrassment. The loud screaming was also accompanied by two hands clapping tightly together above my head. I whooped and clapped, whooped and clapped.

Now that I tell you this two days later, I secretly have to laugh a little at the whole situation. I immediately put myself and my feminist heart on the map. But holy, how grateful I am that this man is teaching my child.

To be continued for sure…

Would you rather listen to Patricia’s columns? You can do that below, on Spotify.

Receive Kek Mama every month with a discount and shipped for free to your doorstep! Subscribe now and pay only €4.19 per edition.