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The Possible Reasons for The Dreaded School Phone Call

Filed Under: back to school, Being a mom, BLOG, Lily, One Word Challenge, parenting Tagged With: , ,

As I glance over to my caller id, my heart jumps just a bit with all the possible reasons for the present school phone call.

In those fleeting few seconds before actually answering the phone, I am conjuring up all sorts of possible reasons for this call.

Could be all well and good.

But could be not so good, too.

All my mom senses are heightened.

But as a mom, I do think I can say that when the phone rings and you see the school’s phone number come up, a bit of worry and even dreaded panic surfaces.

For all the worst possible thoughts begin to spin around your mom brain.

The Possible Reasons for The Dreaded School Phone Call

Such as possible worst case school phone call scenarios are as follows:

  • A hurt or sick kid in need of medical attention.
  • Struggling with this year’s current work load.
  • Missed homework or more as far as academic issues.
  • Misbehaving, not sharing or not getting along with another classmate/friend.

Even still having all these terrible no-good possible unknowns dancing around my mom head, it is now or never and the flight or fight reaction begins to take hold.

So, I answer it. Thankfully, the news is positively favorable. Therefore as my ears process this, my heart actually begins to slowly beat again normally. Plus, a smile takes form on my face.

See my baby has adjusted to her first days of being a kindergarten student, while her teacher excitedly shares this with me.

Don’t get me wrong, I had faith and believed she was ready.  But still hearing her teacher’s confirmation makes it that much sweeter and all the more a reality.

And still yet, I know more challenges will lie ahead this year for her and her older sister. But, in this moment, am allowed to feel proud and even hopeful for all to come for this upcoming school year.

I also am aware that the more unpleasant school phones are bound to happen this year for us.

But I bask in this most excellent school phone call moment for now. So, I dodged the dreaded worst case school phone call for another day at the very least.

Tell me how do you react to school phone calls for your kids? #1Word @TheGoldenSpoons

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This post was originally written for the One Word Blog Linkup that is hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons and yours truly, too.

The words for that week were: Possible or Circle.

* Did you see how one dad took to making his stance known about Common Core? Check out my reaction to this and more on the education section on The Huffington Post.

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About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Robin (Masshole Mommy) says

    I got a call once when my son threw up at school, but other than that, the only calls I ever get are the reverse 911 calls with info.

    • Janine says

      Yes, I get the reverse 911 calls, too from the district, but these call are more from the actual school with a live person (teacher/nurse) calling during the school day that I am talking about.

  2. Leanne@crestingthehill says

    the school calls are to toughen you up for the all the worrying you do when they’re teenagers (every police siren used to bring worst case scenarios to mind!) So glad this was a positive call and can be filed away with a sigh of relief! BTW Janine I have nominated you for a Blogger Recognition Award – if you’d like to participate you can find the info on my blog here: http://www.crestingthehill.com.au/2015/09/creating-circle-of-love-with-blogger.html#.VgJxgMuqqko

  3. Liza Hawkins says

    First thoughts are always (and in this order), “Ugh. What’s happened? Who’s sick/hurt? What’s my work schedule like? How fast do I need to be there?”

    • Janine says

      You are most certainly not alone and I swear my heart jumps in my throat at record speed time if I see the school number on my caller id!

  6. Heather aka HoJo says

    As I former teacher, I can say that it can be nerve-wracking MAKING those phone calls. Even when I know I’m calling with good news, I never know how it will be taken. I once had a parent yell at me for bothering them during the day. They said if their child wasn’t dying, they didn’t want the call. Ouch. I felt so bad for that child!

    I’m so glad it was a good phone call. Those were the easier phone calls to make! =)

    • Janine says

      Heather, I also was a teacher and yes you are right the flip side can be frightening too. So sorry that the parent you described treated you that way. All I can say is I do try to remember when a teacher calls to be respectful and treat them the way I would have liked to have been treated, too.

  7. Emily says

    It’s kind of funny how we both use the word “dread” in our posts today…but I won’t digress! I can totally relate to the dreaded school phone call – my heart also starts racing and I immediately think, “oh no.” 9 times out of 10 it’s nothing more than a stomach ache. I’m so glad that yours was a happy call – what a relief!

  8. Chris Carter says

    Oh yes… those calls always freak me out because for years they were ALWAYS horrible. Usually the nurse… about Cass… and my heart would freeze and I would already be getting in the car and driving toward the school by the time our conversation would end.

    Since she’s been well, there have been a lots more “GOOD” calls from teachers,much like yours! Except that one time when she did a cartwheel in 5th grade and landed on her face on the cement- breaking out her front ADULT tooth… That didn’t go so well. It turns out two years later after gluing that half of tooth back on at the emergency dentist appointment, that not just that one tooth but two teeth will need root canals and may not make it after all. They are slowly dying from the impact on that cement. Sigh… her two FRONT teeth!!

    Apparently THAT call will go down in the history books most of all.

    • Janine says

      OMG, Chris, you poor daughter and you, too. I would have been a mess not hat phone call and cannot even begin to imagine. My heart broke just reading this and definitely sending some hugs your way (even belated), but still.

  12. Bill says

    I’ll tell you what’s worse…teaching where your son goes to school. I was both a teacher and a parent, and I dreaded having my son’s teacher stop me in the hallway to tell me something he just did in class. 🙂 Have a great Wednesday, Janine.

  13. Seana Turner says

    There is always a bit of panic when you see that the school is calling. When they get older, you fear getting a call on the cell phone from the child. I always asked my children to begin their call with, “I’m ok….” So nice to get a GOOD call every now and then, right Janine?

  14. James Oliver, Jr. (@jamesoliverjr) says

    Yep, know that feeling. Except when day care calls, it’s usually bad news.

  18. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    I truly know the dreaded school phone calls. Having a special needs son I had to always be glued to my phone. I was always fearful to answer the school thinking Caleb’s was having a shunt failure. One day I was not near it and the school called an ambulance. They thought he was having a shunt failure. If only I could have answered the phone and made it to check him out. I have also had several terrible behavior problems phone calls about my adoptive son. The school was calling to inform me. Between the two of these things, I hated school phone calls but know how important they are. I wish I could have peace before answering the phone. Maybe, because I do not have time to pray before answering it.
    Many blessings this week,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      Aw, Diane and I am so sorry to hear this about Caleb and the phone calls from him alone you have had in the past. I know mine pale in comparison to this and can only imagine what you must have felt like in these times. Hugs and thank you for sharing here with me.

  20. Kelly says

    Whenever the phone rings and my kids are away, my heart jumps a little! I always freak if I leave my phone behind, what if they need me?? Then I talk myself down, kids are fine, calm down!

  22. Jen says

    I received an early morning phone call from one of my children’s teachers last week and I almost had a heart attack! It was good, but boy oh boy, does it set you on edge!

  23. Jennifer | The Deliberate Mom says

    This totally reminded me of when I was in ECE.

    I used to call parents 3-5 days within their child’s start date with our program, just to touch bases and check in with the new family. This would FREAK so many parents out! Some would even answer the phone saying, “Oh no, what is it?” lol

    I did this because I felt it was important that families know they could expect good communications from us – not just negative stuff. However, sometimes I questioned it because it really did give parents that “sick” feeling.

    Thanks for sharing. I’m delighted to hear your Lily is adjusting okay. They’re always our babies though, aren’t they?!
    xoxo

    • Janine says

      Jennifer, sad thing is I just went through this last year as my oldest had the same teacher and she did the same for her. And still I panicked. Go figure and just the reaction of seeing that number on my caller id. But yes they are most definitely still our babies! xoxo

  25. Aunt Gloria says

    How nice that the teacher called with positive information! I’m impressed. And of course I wouldn’t expect anything other than a glowing report on Lily. So glad she is doing so well. And glad you can enjoy the afterglow of such a good report on her. Love……..xxoo

  26. Allie says

    I can so relate to this one! I have already had several calls from the boys’ school – most all of which were either informational or positive – but one was Miles in the nurse’s office with 104 temperature!!! Luckily I live 2 minutes away and I was there in a flash but yes, my heart jumps each time I see that number pop up!

    • Janine says

      Aw, Allie I know we had one last year with Emma having puked on the bus ride to school. We also live a few minutes away from the school and was there in a flash, too. But no matter what I hate seeing that number come up as my heart jumps an extra beat still!

  27. Kenya G. Johnson says

    Of course I panic until I hear the voice on the other in of the phone and know what’s what. I kid you not, the last phone call I received from the nurses office was last year. I answered the phone and it was Christopher’s voice near tears saying he stepped in dog poop and even though he wiped his shoes on the grass everyone could still smell it. And of course I went to the school to trade poop ones for clean ones. 😉

    • Janine says

      Last year Kenya, Emma stepped in a puddle as the snow was melting during recess. Poor thing got her shoe and sock all wet. Thankfully I had packed her with a change of boots and the nurse had a clean pair of socks for her to borrow, but still I felt terrible for her. So totally get it!

  28. Jack says

    When I get calls like that it is usually the school asking for money. But I have gotten the occasional “your child is sick can you pick them up” call.

    But I am with you, I never want to see those calls come in.

  29. Tamara says

    I remember last year with kindergarten, the school nurse called the second week of school! It was only to ask me to get paperwork from her doctor but my heart skipped 1,000 beats!
    And then… get this.. she called later that same day because Scarlet WAS sick. The second week of school!
    Sigh.

    • Janine says

      I know it is seriously just coming. We are about 4 weeks in and I know our luck is bound to run out still. God help me when it does and so not ready for either of my girls to be sick again this school year now!

    • Janine says

      Aw, our teacher is amazing and Emma had the same one last year. But still the number coming up gives me panic nonetheless – good or bad.

  31. Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says

    every time I get a phone call from the school, my heart skips ALL the beats! But 99% of the time its a robo call. lol. A few times its been a sick kid. but usually the school knows to calm my nerves within 5 seconds of me picking up the phone!

    • Janine says

      Nellie, I know many robo calls here, as well, but on those few chances it hasn’t been our school does their best to calm down, as well. But still just can’t help myself as this is a knew jerk reaction.

  34. Kristi Campbell says

    It’s so true isn’t it? My stomach absolutely drops every time I see the school’s number on my phone! Most of the time, it’s meant that I need to go pick Tucker up because he’s sick. Sigh.

    • Janine says

      I know those are the worst calls and I hate having to hear that they are sick. Seriously, know enough of these calls are in my future, but still dread them so!

    • Janine says

      I can email the teachers, but never really had to and they haven’t emailed me, but when that day comes I will be freaking a bit, too!

  38. April G says

    These days, I often receive bad news and haven’t gotten a positive call in a long time. I would love to get a good phone call one of these days. For the most part, we don’t receive many at all, so that’s good.

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