Starting school: the mum's Dear Teacher poem you need to read – and the teacher's reply
When a mum shared this emotional poem about her child's first day at school, a teacher shared her heart-warming response
Mum Emma Robinson knows how it feels to drop your child off at the school gates for the first time – and she knows how much you want to say to your child's teacher if only there was time.
So, she wrote a poem called Dear Teacher, and it struck such a chord with parents all over the country, it's been shared thousands of time. Not only that, it resonated with teachers, too – and one of them, Leonie Roberts, penned a an equally touching Dear Parent poem in reply.
Emma's poem, which she posted on her blog Motherhood For Slackers before sharing it on Facebook, expresses every parent's wobbly thoughts about leaving your child at the school gates and in the hands of a teacher you hardly know:
Dear Teacher
I know you're rather busy
First day back, there's just no time
A whole new class of little ones
And this one here is mine
More like this
I''m sure you have things covered
And have done this lots before
But my boy is very little
He hasn't long turned four
In his uniform this morning
He looked so tall and steady
But now beside your great big school
I'm not quite sure he's ready
Do you help them eat their lunch?
Are you quick to soothe their fears?
And if he falls and hurts his knee
Will someone dry his tears?
And what if no one plays with him?
What if someone's mean?
What if two kids have a fight
And he's caught in between?
You're right, I have to leave now
It's time for him to go
I’m sure he'll learn so much from you
Things that I don't know
Yes, I'm sure they settle quickly
That he's fine now without me
I know he has to go to school
It's just so fast, you see
It seems like just a blink ago
I first held him in my arms
It's been my job to love, to teach
To keep him safe from harm
So, when I wave goodbye
And he turns to walk inside
Forgive me if I crumple
Into tears of loss and pride
I know as I give him one more kiss
And watch him walk away,
That he'll never again be wholly mine
As he was before today.
And here's teacher Leonie Roberts lovely, reassuring poem in reply:
Dear Parent,
I understand that you are scared
to wave your child goodbye
and leave him in a teacher's hands.
Don't worry if you cry!
I'm used to weeping parents
It's hard to leave I know.
But it's time to share him (just a bit)
To help him learn and grow.
Let me reassure you
That I'll give your child my best
I'll wipe his tears, soothe his fears
And change his dirty vest!
If your darling child is full of cold
I'll blow their nose all day
Just like you, I'll care for them
In a special way.
I'll treat him like I would my own
I'll catch him from a fall and
If there is ANY problem
I'll be sure to tell you all.
It's true he'll grow to love us
They'll talk of school a lot
It doesn't mean they hate you
And that you should lose the plot!
I'll tell you a secret...
That when your child is here
They talk to me as much of you
Of this please have no fear.
You'll always be their mother
Whilst teachers come and go
To them you are their number one
This I truly know.
Soon you'll see some changes
In your little girl or boy
They'll become more independent
And to see this, it'sa joy!
I'll teach them all I have to give
To share, to climb, to write
But to you they safely will return
To tuck them in at night.
With love from a teacher…
Oh dear, we might just have a little something in our eye…
Pic: Getty Images
Read more:
Authors
How NatPat's wellness patches may help your family
NatPat's range of wellness patches and stickers aim to tackle everything from allergies to lack of focus. We take a closer look at the range.