MALAYSIA - As a kindergarten teacher, I have personally encountered parents who need lessons in courtesy.

Because many parents lack parenting skills their children often act like brats. Instead of just pampering their children, parents should also discipline them and teach them good values.

Parents should also be good role models to their children and always bear in mind that kids often imitate the people around them, especially parents.

When a teacher punishes a child for misbehaviour, parents often get furious.

They end up accusing the teacher of hurting the child, without considering the rationale behind the punishment, which usually is to discourage undesirable behaviour.

Recently, a parent harassed me in the kindergarten when I was alone.

He yelled so loudly that I think everyone in the housing area could hear him.

He was upset because his son refused to go to kindergarten.

He brought up unrelated topics such as whether our kindergarten had a licence.

He accused me of being rude even though he was the one who used harsh words.

I felt awful but just kept quiet as I felt there was no point reasoning with him.

When I complained about his behaviour to the principal, the child?s father accused me of lying and refused to apologise.

Most teachers act responsibly and it is disappointing to see that teachers are not being respected or appreciated by some parents and children.

KINDERGARTEN TEACHER

Via e-mail

This article was first published in The Star on May 11, 2008.