The Folly of Parents Chapter 1

A month before the final exams, I casually posted an update celebrating my daughter-in-law's pregnancy. Little did I know, the new intern teacher screenshot it and shared it in the parent group. The group instantly erupted, a boiling cauldron of outrage:

"Only a month until final exams, is it appropriate for the homeroom teacher's daughter-in-law to be pregnant right now?!"

"This is the crucial sprint stage! Who will take responsibility if it delays our children?!"

"Anyway, your daughter-in-law is still young. Just terminate the pregnancy now and plan for a baby after the exams!"

I rubbed my eyes, unable to believe the words scrolling across the parent group chat. My daughter-in-law was pregnant – how did that suddenly become my responsibility as the homeroom teacher and mother-in-law?

Seeing my refusal, the parents banded together, storming the school, even demanding that I relinquish my position to the new intern teacher. Their words, veiled in insinuation, painted me as too old, too burdened with personal affairs, unlike the young, pretty intern who was "up-to-date." In a fit of rage, I immediately resigned, taking early retirement.

Yet, after the final exams, why did my class's acceptance rate to top universities become the lowest in the entire grade?

* * *

My son and his wife had been married for five years, trying to conceive for three. My daughter-in-law was finally pregnant. I instinctively posted an update on social media. The next second, Miss Hailey Grant, the new intern teacher, liked it, then screenshotted it and posted it in the class group chat: "Congratulations to Mrs. Vance on becoming a grandmother! After waiting so long, it's finally happening. Mrs. Vance, you must shower your daughter-in-law with attention!"

The usually quiet class group suddenly buzzed with notifications.

A parent, whose contact was saved as "Kayla Johnson's Mom," tagged me: "Mrs. Vance, is that your daughter-in-law who's pregnant on your social media?"

I politely replied, "Yes," and she immediately shot back: "Forgive my bluntness, but with only a month until the final exams, is it really appropriate for your daughter-in-law to be pregnant right now?"

Kevin Chen's mom chimed in: "The last month is crucial for the sprint. Who will take responsibility if it delays our children?"

I quickly clarified: "Parents, I think there's a misunderstanding. It's my daughter-in-law who's pregnant, not me. It won't affect the students."

But the parents wouldn't back down: "You can't say that. With a pregnant daughter-in-law, a mother-in-law is bound to be preoccupied. Naturally, less energy will be dedicated to the students."

"A senior year homeroom teacher must be fully dedicated to the students' needs. The final exams are a life-altering event!"

Once the floodgates opened, other parents echoed the sentiment: "I agree with Kayla Johnson's mom!" "A graduating class homeroom teacher should put in more effort than other teachers!" "I propose that Mrs. Vance's daughter-in-law terminate the pregnancy!"

I was shaking with anger—not only the immense physical harm of such a procedure, but these parents were overstepping their bounds! Kayla Johnson's mom even started a poll in the group: "Vote 'support' if you back Mrs. Vance's daughter-in-law terminating the pregnancy!" Soon, 45 parents responded, with 40 supporting the motion.

I suppressed my fury and replied: "My daughter-in-law's pregnancy is a private family matter, no need for your concern! The final exam sprint plan was set three months ago and will absolutely not be affected!"

Kayla Johnson's mom called me directly: "Mrs. Vance, don't mind me interfering, but during the final exam sprint, everything must prioritize the students. You've been a teacher for over thirty years; you should understand this principle. While it's still early, hurry to the hospital and terminate the pregnancy. You can always have another one after the exams." I cut her off. "My daughter-in-law's pregnancy is my private matter. You have no right to interfere." With that, I hung up, wearily pinching the bridge of my nose. Since the start of senior year, I had worked tirelessly, practically living at school 24/7 except for sleep, sacrificing almost all my personal time for my students. Now, they were brazenly demanding my daughter-in-law terminate her pregnancy! I thought stating my position would end it, but two days later, another incident unfolded.