Politics Education. I don't think we talk about this nearly enough. What are some suggestions?

[Phatguysrule]

My point exactly. The ones who generally come to conferences don’t need it and the ones who do, don’t. I would think most schools push to meet with everyone regardless of the academic achievement of each student. You probably don’t need to conference but it sounds like their teachers still wanted to gush about your kids.

Well, maybe... I'm just not sure how productive that is... Seems like there are other kids the teachers could be spending time with who might need it more.

And maybe (hopefully) that time spent will help those other kids slow class down less for my kids.

 

[twobullz]

When my girls where in high school we seldom missed conferences even though they were both straight A students. I thought it was import to my girls to show them they mattered and we always showed up no matter what. The teachers all knew us because we showed up for everything and would just smile and say the girls are great. Even though they had nothing but good things to say I wanted my girls to know they mattered and I was always there for them. All there friends new us because we showed up for ever play, recital, game , conference…. To many of there friends and teammates parents never showed up. Ones parents only showed up when they found out my wife and I was going to walk them out for senior night so they would not be alone z. Was the only time in 4 years we saw any of their family attend any event. Never wanted my kids to feel like that kid did.

 

[Phatguysrule]

When my girls where in high school we seldom missed conferences even though they were both straight A students. I thought it was import to my girls to show them they mattered and we always showed up no matter what. The teachers all knew us because we showed up for everything and would just smile and say the girls are great. Even though they had nothing but good things to say I wanted my girls to know they mattered and I was always there for them. All there friends new us because we showed up for ever play, recital, game , conference…. To many of there friends and teammates parents never showed up. Ones parents only showed up when they found out my wife and I was going to walk them out for senior night so they would not be alone z. Was the only time in 4 years we saw any of their family attend any event. Never wanted my kids to feel like that kid did.

My girls don't want to go to conferences. They kind of hated it.

 

[riverman]

I was older when I went to college on the G.I. Bill and glad I waited. I knew what I wanted from college at that point and had a lot of life experience under my belt as well as world travel. My son went straight from high school and wished he'd not done it that way but had traveled and worked overseas first.

 

[twobullz]

My girls don't want to go to conferences. They kind of hated it.

Yeah my youngest wasn’t as excited about conferences but the teachers still all new us

 

[Phatguysrule]

Yeah my youngest wasn’t as excited about conferences but the teachers still all new us

I can certainly understand that. And props to you for caring enough to spend that time doing what was right for your kids. I think that's probably the point that is so often lacking on the parents side in the US.

We feel this has been a good balance for us. Teachers knew us when they were younger. As a teenager I want them learning to deal with things for themselves rather than having parents to buffer them.

If they can't handle it we can always step in to help. But that hasn't really been needed.

I feel it's been the right choice for us. Kait was one of her college team's leaders as a freshman, and that responsibility has only grown.

Al was just given the biomedical student of the year award at OCHS.

Even Liv, the baby of the family, is the leader of her club team and highschool team. Having individual conversations with coaches to determine best strategy and adjustments during games, in practice and even after practice on the phone regarding team and program development.

People often comment to my wife and I that they are surprised at how mature all three are when they speak with adults.

We are super happy with the way this has gone.

 

[Hoopguru]

This has to be concerning imo.

https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2026/05/oregon-child-vaccination-rates-plummet-to-record-low-as-opt-outs-surge.html

 

[Phatguysrule]

This has to be concerning imo.

https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2026/05/oregon-child-vaccination-rates-plummet-to-record-low-as-opt-outs-surge.html

Super concerning

 

[crandc]

Parents' education still big determinant of how children do. Children in homes with books, who are taken to museums and national parks, who go to educational day camps, have an obvious advantage. Just saying "parents" is insufficient. Most parents want their children to do well in school but many have few resources or educational background.
Of course there are exceptions. At Stanford a prominent neurobiologist who does pioneering work on brain development is the son of an undocumented Guatemalan immigrant who spoke no English and worked as a janitor. Fortunately the son was recognized and got assistance and scholarships but sadly that's an exception. (I suppose Trump wants to deport him.)

 

[JfizzleBlazer]

This is two years old but still feels relevant today