Originally Posted by JustAnotherPrimaryTeacher

Usually expectations or lines should be clearly set via PG at the start of the year. So that the parents are aware on, what they can contact you for, and what help/advice/guidance can they get from you. Since you have chosen to give your personal number to parents (kudos on you since it is not mandatory). I believe the parents are appreciative of the direct communication line that you have established.

Unfortunately, if you have not drawn the lines at the start of the year, any responses now to draw the line may feel a bit reactive.

For pri sch, a good way is to throw the question back to the parent. E.g. "How can we help/support your child so that they can be more responsible in school?" Usually the parents will self-reflect and realise that they themselves have to guide them better at home first.

I think for sec sch, can just state the stance that you adopt in class (e.g. we encourage our students to grow and develop in their personal responsibility, hence he can try to look for the lost bottle himself the next day, and search the lost & found areas.

Slowly but surely, once the parents realises that you have shifted the responsibility back to them/the child, and that the ball is actually not in your court, I believe such minute things will not be within their scope of queries for you. But it will take time, since I think you have already helped to solve a few of these things before, so it might have already become an automated process for them to just direct these small matters to you.

For the assessment book one, similarly, just direct it back to them also. e.g. "perhaps you can try e-mailing the bookstore, or google search if any other retailers has them". If you have been the one 'finding' the solution for them, rather than directing them to find the solution, then you have to start directing them now.