A better way to handle bathroom flap

How sad that Melissa Omalley Walker and other parents of children at Wredling Middle School in St. Charles missed a golden opportunity to model for their children the way in which grownups deal with concerns.

Instead of contacting the teacher(s) who issued the restroom passport directly, these parents chose to act like middle schoolers themselves and whined about this policy on Facebook.

Allow me to assist you with solving problems in an adult manner. Call or email the teacher(s). Say, "I have concerns about the restroom passport that my child brought home. Can you tell me more about your thinking in developing this policy?"

Then listen to the teacher's response. After listening, share your concerns and work to come to an understanding. Teachers are typically reasonable people who are willing to work with parents and address concerns. If your child has special health needs, teachers want to know about them.

Direct communication done in a respectful manner is the appropriate way to solve problems and teaches children how to act in a mature fashion.

Kim Freitag

Elgin