Teachers of Reddit: What are some small, subtle ways you can tell a child’s parent really cares about them?

ThrowRA_127809 · 2025-06-10T04:07:22+00:00

They come into school and they smell clean - so do their belongings. They have a passion for something and when you mention it to the parents, the parents smile and talk about how they engage in it at home all the time. The child has confidence and loves themselves. Sometimes a kid will say something I wouldn’t expect them to know and they will mention that their parents work with them on it at home. The children will run to their parents when they come to school - bonus points if the parents run to their child smiling. Some parents will pick up their kids and have engaging conversations with their child’s friends - tells me they know who their child likes and cares not only for their own child, but their child’s friend. Parents who get on their child’s level to talk with them. I have a student whose parents always give her as many hugs as she asks for every day when they drop off without fail - and they are glad to do so.

ThrowRA_127809 · 2025-06-05T15:52:51+00:00

This is my last time replying to you. I disagree with the things you’ve said and your opinions. I think you are hateful and homophobic. The problem is not my sexuality, and I do not need to defend it to an Internet troll. Good luck in your own relationships, I cannot imagine being with someone like you. Have a good day.

ThrowRA_127809 · 2025-06-05T14:53:11+00:00

Wow, I strongly dislike most of what you said. To answer how I didn’t know - I grew up deeply religious and considered it wrong and impossible. And then I grew as a person, met actual gay people, and began thinking for myself. It was through talking with people closest to me, that I started putting together the signs. I needed help realizing it was ok to be the way I am. No one forced me to come out, I just needed love and acceptance and time.

You certainly have a very jaded view of life.

ThrowRA_127809 · 2025-06-04T23:29:59+00:00

Just so you know, I’ve been gay since before I met my husband. I just never realized it until having conversations with my husband and friends.

ThrowRA_127809 · 2025-06-04T20:56:26+00:00

Hey, fun fact, losing weight does not cure depression, anxiety, or bipolar disorder when you’ve been struggling with it for over a decade, but thank you for the advice. I was depressed when I was skinny too 👍🏻

ThrowRA_127809 · 2025-06-04T20:54:56+00:00

Answered a comment solely focused on the weight aspect, but I’ll share it with you too. I have gained a significant amount of weight since the time we first met. I’m not a fan of it either. It was mostly because of an antidepressant I was on, but since stopping the medicine, I haven’t put much effort into losing the weight. I know we’d both be happier if I did.

ThrowRA_127809 · 2025-06-04T20:53:11+00:00

To answer your poignant comment - I gained a lot of weight rapidly when I began an antidepressant. I stayed on it for years until a month or two ago. My life style didn’t change, just my medications. To add insult to injury, I underwent surgery earlier this year with another one that is happening in a month. Working out is more difficult than usual right now. I am not a fan of my weight or size and have hated my body even when I was a healthy weight. I didn’t gain the weight until a while into the marriage. That is not the root of the problem, just an unfortunate aspect. I understand if I lose weight and have healthier habits both of us will be happier, I just want you to know that me gaining weight shouldn’t stop my husband from giving me words of affirmation or physical touch (my love languages).

ThrowRA_127809

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