Offenses, unnecessary messages, exclusions: parents make many mistakes when they decide to create a class group on WhatsApp. Here’s what to avoid
Keeping in touch between parents helps to better understand the school path of their children. If until a few years ago we met in person to talk about homework, teachers and other educational activities, now most parents prefer to choose technology to make group.
One of the most used channels to feel is WhatsApp. The instant messaging application is exploited mainly to create class groups. Despite the initial good intentions, in most cases, as is often the case in almost all groups opened on WhatsApp, the chat is likely to be flooded with messages that are not very constructive and that have nothing to do with school. When creating a group on WhatsApp, therefore, it is essential to make clear from the beginning some correct rules of behavior. And this task falls to the administrator of the chat, which normally coincides with the mother leader of the group. The one, in short, who organizes the parties at school or who gets angry if the children don’t eat enough vegetables in the canteen.
Mistakes to avoid in class groups
Having established the rules, it is therefore important not to make mistakes. Let’s start by talking about the first one. Computers and smartphones have the advantage of being very immediate. Immediacy that sometimes leads us to answer in a hurry without thinking. And the risk of writing something we might later regret is very high. The first piece of advice for moms who manage a group on WhatsApp is to think that on the other side there is a person who could also be offended. Parents should apply the same parenting rules in chat as they use in face-to-face conversations.
Don’t use the group to make accusations, often gratuitous ones, about a teacher. Do you think he or she has given too much homework or been very strict with your child? Try to have a constructive discussion and confront the teacher during the next class council meeting. Also avoid using the group to criticize a student’s behavior. Remember, in fact, that they are only children.
Do not clog the chat with hearts and useless messages
Do not lose sight of the reason for which the group was created. If you want to send a greeting or a wish, do it privately. If the chat, for example, is clogged with useless messages, the important ones risk not being read by many mothers. Then, banish viral images and videos. Avoid excessive use of emoticons.
No exclusions
The group should only be used to discuss important issues concerning the school. Also, don’t forget to include all moms. Leaving out “John’s” mom just because she is disliked is wrong and especially counterproductive. Finally, if you want to give the group a serious touch it might also be helpful to include one of the teachers.