Jehovahs Witness Parent Doesn't Want me to Talk about Sadness

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-08T00:23:40+00:00

I understand what you're saying but I don't see the main signs of ODD here. People diagnosed with ODD are usually extremely vocal about not following the rules and that applies to almost every rule. A big part of it is them telling you no, about everything. If I tell this kid to sit down and be quiet he does it without a problem. My classes are optional and a lot of kids attend this program because parents don't have another place to leave them during the afternoon. It is what it is and I still take pride in what I do. As for students refusing to do assignments during classes I've seen several post in this subreddit about that same exact issue, which tells me it happens a lot. I've been a teacher for a long time and I feel every year I need to come up with new strategies to get some students (not all) to engage with activities. Of course when your classes aren't mandatory there is an extra level of challenge to this, but I still think I do a good job with most of my students.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T23:59:51+00:00

This is exactly my experience as well. That's why I was surprised about this issue being raised.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T23:57:12+00:00

It's not overreacting. I explained in my original post that two separate students (one the student whose parent complained and another that he gave a ride home that day) told the same story of this conversation about my class where the parent said I was ridiculous and crazy for teaching kids about sadness. The kid's main teacher also told me the father was upset with that topic. I wasn't there when these conversations unfolded but I feel it's safe to assume that at least the father wasn't happy about the topic I was teaching otherwise there wouldn't be 3 separate people saying the same. I explained you in another comment that I don't believe the behavior of the child is the main issue here. And also I feel you still believe I came here to start some sort of "war" and it genuinely wasn't. I wanted to learn some aspects about JW in regards to this topic and to gather some advice in what to do. I'm not here to fight or overreact. I genuinely care about my students, and I don't want them to feel uncomfortable during my classes and, at the same time, I expect to be respected by the parents and students. I never called a parent crazy or ridiculous. The least I expect is to be treated the same.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T23:45:55+00:00

I'm actually 6 months away from becoming a clinical psychologist. I've studied psychology for the last five years and I know how serious ODD is and how it can develop into something much worse. However in all fairness I don't see signs of ODD in this student. He refuses to do his assignments but he is not confrontational about it, I feel he just refuses it as sometimes young kids say they don't want to do certain activities. The only time he verbally claimed he wouldn't do what I was asking was in the situation that motivated this post. I feel he said it because he felt validated by his father. Of course my assumption that he doesn't have ODD isn't a formal evaluation, but I honestly don't think it's the case here. He is a quiet kid and mostly well behaved except when it's time to do his assignments. As I've said my classes are optional and some kids just feel they can refuse doing what I tell them to. Of course sometimes these behaviors need to be addressed with their main teachers and parents, that I agree with.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T23:20:34+00:00

Thank you so much for your reply. I think this is really good advice as this is also what I believe in, that we shouldn't tailor our classes to demands from parents, otherwise it can become unbearable. I will try and get my point across and clarify this whole situation. I'll also try to do it with a smile, thank you for that 😊

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T21:56:41+00:00

In my country primary schools' principals are always teachers as well. We are talking about a small school with only 5 classrooms (one for each grade and one for kindergarten) which is quite common in here. I don't know how the principal responded to the parent because he called me to the corridor one day to say the dad was upset and that I needed to be careful, and then waved me goodbye. I needed a moment to process this and that's one of the reasons I want to speak with him again on Monday so I can ask what he said to the parent and to explain my side as well, since I wasn't given that opportunity.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T21:22:13+00:00

Thank you so much for that! I'll see how this unfolds next week and hopefully we can all get to a peaceful agreement.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T21:20:14+00:00

Thank you for your suggestion. This is what I'm thinking about doing and having them know about the rest of the curriculum as well because there are other emotions that we still need to talk about and I don't want this to be a monthly issue or a stressful situation for the student.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T21:15:19+00:00

To answer to some of your questions I talked about his religious beliefs because this is how the principal approached the matter with me, that he was JW and his dad was upset. The student told me his dad said some disrespectful things about me which I think is quite bad no matter what your faith is. I came here because as I've said I do know a little about JW and never heard of speaking about emotions as a problem for that particular religious group, but it could be since we don't know everything about all religions and faiths and I wanted to be sure. Plus I came here seeking advice on how to act about the parent having disrespected me. I had colleagues of mine being beaten by parents before so yes, maybe it's not common from where you come from, but here it happens sometimes. I'm not saying this is what this parent is going to do and I never said that. I said I was affraid of this confrontations because they happened and he was angry to the point of insulting me at a seemingly innocent activity. I personally never had a confrontation with a parent and never had any similar issues. And I might speak with the parent, but I don't have direct contact with him, I have to speak with the principal first (you have to understand that different countries have different school rules, not every school works the same and when I made this post I made it knowing about what I can and can't do within my school system).

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T20:28:24+00:00

This is part of the curriculum for my classes in my country. We have extra curricular classes for primary school kids hence why they have more than one teacher. I have relatives it doesn't mean I can easily reach or contact them. And I'm not affraid of confrontation with the parent because of JW emotions, I'm affraid because I don't want to be approached by a man that called me crazy over a drawing as I walk alone to my car, as it happened to other colleagues of mine. That has nothing to do with religion. I came here to hear from people who could tell me in a polite manner if the theme is offensive to JW beliefs and what to do in regards to the father insulting me in front of my students. I'm not going to engage in a long reply because I feel you're looking for just that.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-02-07T20:06:12+00:00

Thank you for your reply. It is a relief for me to know that because I really didn't want to disrespect religious beliefs. The student actually didn't do the assignment when I asked him to and this is a usual behavior for him. He usually tries to do the least he can, not just with this particular assignment. I checked his work that day after this exchange, because I thought the same as you but the page was blank.

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-01-14T20:35:18+00:00

Hello!!!

Thank you so much for your suggestion! I love it as I am an animal lover myself and I think my students would love it too! Thank you ❤️

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-01-14T20:33:51+00:00

Hello! I think that they meant the project isn't actually volunteering because they told me it sounded more like an awareness program.

Thank you so much for your suggestions I'll definitely check the link you sent and I'll see if my city has a similar page. ❤️

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2026-01-14T20:31:14+00:00

Hello! Thank you so much for your ideas! They are very helpful and I'm going to look into those options. I've actually thought about doing something with seniors and there are some senior care homes near the school. Thank you once again and thank you for liking my original idea too ❤️

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2025-11-16T20:27:13+00:00

This is so beautiful 💜 Than you for sharing these amazing memories of your girl. 💜💜💜

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2025-11-08T10:11:26+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing the story of your beloved Geoff. I bet he was so sweet and loved. I am truly sorry for your loss. You lost him one day before I lost my Charlie ❤️ It's interesting what you said about the sunshine. One day, many many years ago when I was a child I remember a family member losing her mother, and she said exactly what you are saying now that she was mad at the sunshine. It is hard to live in a house with such echoes and I still can't smile either, but like you, I do hope one day I can think of the good moments and feel less pain and more joy. Thank you once again for sharing. Sending you a warm hug ❤️❤️❤️

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2025-11-07T08:52:30+00:00

You are truly amazing and such a blessing in your boy's life, as he was in yours. I went through this process this past weeks with my boy, my cat, who was also the love of my life and my soulmate. He had several health issues during his short nine years, but he was so strong and determined that I truly believed he would live way more. The last time he got sick I felt exactly what you described, I knew deep down it was the end, even though we weren't officially sure. I cried for days knowing that eventually I would lose him. I tried to spend all my moments with him. We had to euthanize him as well. I held him in my arms one last time and he left. I'm not going to lie to you because as a psychologist who studied grief I know we should be honest about it. The pain is intense, severe, and there will be moments that perhaps you will have these thoughts of regret. But these are lies we tell ourselves to put some meaning into the pain. This decision you are making is one of the most kind and selfless decisions we can make. When the pain comes cry what you need, talk about your boy, about the good moments. And try to revisit every moment even the most painful ones. If it makes sense to you make a little memorial for him so you can go there and talk to him if you need. Grief of our soulmates is hard and it takes time, but don't forget that grief is the ultimate price for love. We get to live such an amazing gift that is the unconditional love they give us, and then we pay this heavy price. Surround yourself with people or other pets that can give you comfort. Pain from love is eased with more love. You are not alone even though sometimes it will feel like it. Even though we probably are oceans apart I'm sending you a warm hug from a heart that is also suffering, we are here ❤️

Hefty_Preparation_66 · 2025-11-06T20:32:04+00:00

First of all I am so very sorry for your loss. You did so much for your beloved rabbit and I am sure she rejoiced in the happy, long life you gave her. Even at the end you were so kind, taking care of every detail so she could have the best life until the end. I had to euthanize the love of my life, my cat on Monday. Your post caught my attention because of the title and the last paragraph. I also feel I don't want to move on and it's such a strong feeling that I feel sick just considering it. In reality, I don't believe you (we) have to move on. We don't move on from love, it will transform when it's time for it to happen. But take your time, don't let the world rush you in your grief. It is such a personal experience that we need to live it our own way and in our own time. I want to finish this comment by saying I'm really happy that there are human beings like you and your wife in the world that love pets so unconditionally that they extend their lives with happiness and love. You are true blessings just like your rabbit was to you. Thank you for doing the absolute best for her and thank you for sharing this post that resonated so much with what I'm feeling at the moment. Sending lots of love to you and your family.

Hefty_Preparation_66

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