In many ways, our children are facing significant challenges right now. Since the pandemic, test scores have taken a toll, leaving students lagging in crucial areas like math and reading comprehension. Kids are encountering academic difficulties while teachers grapple with their own set of hurdles, including classroom politics, insufficient pay, and a lack of essential resources.
Education is undeniably tough at the moment. A third-grade teacher, known as @salami4prez on TikTok, shared a straightforward message—things would improve if parents consistently sent their kids to school. You know, to actually learn.
Her video sparked a storm of comments from parents who pushed back against the idea that they should ensure their kids attend school more than 75% of the time.
In her follow-up video, she expressed her disbelief at the situation.
“It’s alarming that a teacher would need to plead with parents to send their kids to school, but what really shocked me was the response in the comments,” she shared. “I noticed many parents defending this behavior, saying, ‘If my child needs a mental health day, they’re staying home.’ I understand the need for such days occasionally, but let’s be real—your kid can’t take a mental health day every week. That’s the attendance concern we’re dealing with.”
She emphasized that having kids in school does not inflate her paycheck.
“Some believe we want children in school to increase our pay,” she clarified. “The reality is our salary remains unchanged regardless of whether your kids attend or not.”
Her main concern? The well-being and success of her students.
“We simply want to educate your children. That’s all we want,” she concluded.
In the comments, many parents rallied behind her, resonating with her message about the importance of regular school attendance.
“This trend of shielding our children from discomfort and not challenging them may lead to societal decline,” read one of the top comments.
“I wish I could pin this comment,” the teacher replied.
“People seem to confuse parenting with making life easy for kids. Rather, it’s about equipping them to handle challenging situations,” another commentator added.
One parent pointed out that if a child needs a mental health day every week, it might be time to seek professional support.
“If your child requires a mental health day weekly, perhaps a counselor is needed, as there might be underlying issues that need addressing,” they advised.
Yet, some parents expressed the genuine struggles their children are facing today.
“I loathe how frequently my child misses school due to mental health challenges. It’s a constant battle—it’s a balancing act for parents with kids facing these issues,” one mom shared.
“I’m not a parent yet, but I see how the current schooling system can negatively impact children’s well-being. It hampers creativity, empathy, and critical thinking. This isn’t the teacher’s fault; it’s a systemic issue that needs to be addressed,” wrote another individual. “The educational system isn’t working; kids are truly suffering.”
But a therapist provided valuable insight into the discussion.
“From a therapist’s perspective: teaching your children to avoid situations as a main coping strategy is not beneficial in the long run, especially as they grow older,” she explained. “Mental health days can be on weekends. We need to focus on self-care, emotional skills, and resilience for the weekday school experience.”
There are meaningful points made throughout this discourse. Parents must recognize both the significance of education and the necessity of teaching children essential coping mechanisms and the value of perseverance. Meanwhile, we should critically examine school systems, prioritize kids’ mental health, and support teachers to improve the current educational landscape.
