Should you be Facebook friends with teacher?
Your child is about to start school, and you are eager to learn more about the teacher. Would you be crossing the line by sending a Facebook friend request?
“Facebook is where I blow off steam to some of my dearest friends. It’s a place where I’m not a mom or a safety advocate. I’m just me. If I make a joke saying, ‘It’s wine o’clock,’ I don’t want a teacher to think, ‘Hmm, she’s drinking on a school night.’
“I have no doubt that teachers feel the same way about their Facebook accounts. They are entitled to a private life, as well as having their own embarrassing friends and family.
“Be friendly, supportive and communicate with your child’s teachers.”
“Friending a child’s teacher on Facebook is a two-way communication that can result in awkward situations.
“Do you really want to know that your child’s teacher was at a party until all hours of the night? A teacher shares political views on Facebook, which are contrary to yours. Would you tell your child to be careful about what he or she says? You feel your child is not getting adequate help with reading. Then you find out on Facebook that your teacher’s live-in mother is in need of care, and you assume that’s the reason.” Social Graces is a series asking two experts for advice on awkward situations. Andreea Ciulac is a freelancer.