Have you ever attended a parents' evening at your child's school and left feeling as though your little one is doing really well because teachers have described them as a "social butterfly" and a "natural born leader"?
We all love to hear people praise our kids, but it turns out that some of the things teachers tell parents aren't actually good things - as they could indicate your child is disruptive in class.
A teacher on social media has claimed there's a "secret teacher code" that they often use when talking to parents, which involves using phrases that sound like praise, but in reality, they have another meaning.
In a video posted to the @bored_teachers TikTok account, the teacher said she will use terms such as "social" whenever there's a child who won't stop talking when they're supposed to be listening and will call kids "excited" when they refuse to calm down.
The woman, who is from the US, said: "We have a code when we email parents.
"When we use phrases like, 'your child is very social', that means they won't stop talking. Or 'their excitement in the classroom is contagious', which means they will not calm down.
"Or, if they're a 'natural born leader', then your child is super bossy."
And the video's caption called on other teachers to share their experience with using the "secret teacher code", as it asked: "Have you used our secret Teacher Code when talking with parents?"
Commenters on the clip were quick to join in the discussion, with one teacher saying she once told a parent their son would "make a great lawyer", which actually meant he "wouldn't stop arguing" with her during class.
Another said a common one they use is "dances to the beat of their own drum", which means "doesn't listen to anything they are told", while someone else added that "spirited" is another word they use for a kid who has lots of energy.
However, many teachers in the comments said they refuse to use code when talking to parents, as they prefer being honest about their children.
One person said: "I'm a teacher and do not use these 'codes'. It’s not helpful to anyone to sugar coat an issue. I stick with facts and observations.
While another added: "We need to stop talking in code, tell them plain and clear what disrupting behaviour their little angel is showing in class."
And a third wrote: "I would just be direct. I don't have time or energy for veiled issues."
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