Relatives bring their children to me at family functions to be 'checked'

violet_sketch_9451

I work as a special educator. At almost every family function now, someone brings a child over and asks me to see if he is "normal", or to say whether a daughter's reading is behind. Usually within earshot of the child, and often with three other relatives listening. I don't want to be rude to people who are clearly worried. But I can't assess a child in ten minutes between lunch and the gift line, and anything I say casually gets repeated as a verdict. Last month a cousin told her in-laws that I'd "said he was fine", when all I'd said was that he seemed happy. For those who are teachers, doctors or therapists, or who have one in the family, how do you handle this? And parents, what would you want from a relative in my position?

2 comments

  • pebble_fern_7907

    My partner is a senior teacher and gets the same thing. Her standard answer now is "I'd need to see him in a classroom, not at a wedding. Call me next week and I'll tell you who to see." Most people never call, which tells you something too. The ones who do call are the ones who were genuinely worried.

    • lilac_sketch_3401

      Speaking as the parent in this situation: I once asked a teacher cousin about my daughter's speech at a function, and what I wanted was not a judgement. I wanted to know whether it was worth getting checked and where to go. The phone call idea above would have suited me perfectly.

    • banyan_puzzle_1093

      Replying to @lilac_sketch_3401

      Same from my side. A name and a next step is useful. 'She's fine' or 'something's off' from a relative over lunch just makes things worse, whichever way it goes, because the whole family hears it.

  • sage_drum_6302

    Is it the parents asking you, or the grandparents asking on their behalf? In our family it is always the grandparents. The parents stand behind looking embarrassed. I'd answer those differently: the grandparent gets a polite deflection, and the parent gets a quiet word later, away from everyone.

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