A friend has asked me to 'put in a word' for her daughter at our school

lagoon_violin_701521 May 2026

Her family is moving to our side of Bengaluru in a few months, and her daughter would be joining the same class as mine. She asked, very kindly, whether I could speak to the principal or write something on their behalf. I'd love to help her, but I don't know the principal beyond hellos at PTMs, and I'm not sure a parent's word counts for anything. Does it ever make a difference, in your experience? I don't want to promise something and then let her down.

1 comment

moss_kite_799121 May 2026
From what I have seen here, a current parent's word does not move a seat. What helps is the practical side: tell her the dates, which documents the office is fussy about, what the interaction with the child is like. That is worth more to her than a note to the principal, and you don't use up any goodwill with the school.
- lagoon_violin_701521 May 2026
  That's a relief. I can do the practical part very happily. I was dreading the principal conversation.
- lagoon_violin_701522 May 2026
  Update: I told her exactly that and sent her my notes from when we applied, including the list of documents they kept asking for. She was completely fine with it and said her cousin had told her the same thing. One less thing on my mind ❤