‘Now that I am a mother myself, I can put myself in the shoes of the parents much better’

Lieke discovered that having your own child provides a completely different outlook on life. Since she has become a mother, she is able to put herself in the shoes of the parents she encounters as a teacher.

Lieke (33), teacher, mother of Feline (2).

“Having a child of your own provides a completely different outlook on life, and therefore also at work. Earlier I looked at everything from my role as a teacher. I had an eye for the learning objectives, the learning process and certainly also for the child, but less for the parents.

Also read – Missed memo: ‘I forgot to pick up my daughter from school’ >

Sleepless nights

Now that I am a mother myself, I can put myself in their shoes much better. I only now understand how insanely proud you can be of your child. Still, I understand better that parenthood involves worries. During parent meetings, I respond to any concerns that may arise. I communicate better and listen more to what parents have to say.

When things don’t go well at school, parents sometimes say that it gives them sleepless nights. That will be okay, I thought until two years ago. I now know: those long nights full of worries really exist. And you also have to take it very seriously. The fact that I can also mean something to parents through my empathy is a wonderful addition to my work as a teacher.”

This article appears in Kek Mama 08-2022.

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