1st year of teaching I gave out my number to have open comms with parents. Coz I rather they go through me than to my SLs. BIG MISTAKE. Even with boundaries made clear, some kuku parents still message AND expect a prompt reply after hours. Worse still, I became a messenger for them. Whatever they forgot to tell that kid that morning, they tell me to tell them. Worse still got parents expect me to reply to her to confirm that I passed her message to her son. One kind one.

Now I don't bother. Any homework or reminders, whiteboard & student diary are enough. It teaches kids responsibility as well. You never write, too bad. Go sort it out yourself or ask your classmates. Parents can only contact me via email. Email as a medium is still formal, so a lot of thought has to be put in by the parents before they send it. Hence, if they send, it's usually urgent or important.