Overcoming the Fear of Going to School

I’m a factory worker and a single mother. My job is demanding, and I often have to work overtime. With few people in the family to help, I hardly have time to care for my child. So I had to send him to a private babysitter when he was only eight months old.

As he grew older, I enrolled him in a private daycare. From then on, my child became difficult to manage—he hardly smiled or spoke, and often cried at night. Every time it was time for school, he would cry and refuse to go, sometimes even running away. Taking him to school became such a struggle that I was frequently late for work.

One day, while giving him a bath, I noticed some marks on his neck. I asked him urgently:

– What happened to your neck?

My son shook his head and replied:

– I don’t know.

I planned to ask his teacher about it, but that very night, he cried in his sleep and mumbled:

– I’ll be good, I’ll be good. I won’t cry anymore. I promise, Grandma.

The next day, I confronted the teacher in charge. She said:

– I don’t know anything about that. Maybe he got bitten by bugs or got into a scuffle with other kids.

I was furious and snapped:

– Are you serious? I entrusted my child to you. You should take responsibility.

She replied coldly:

– Easy for you to say. There are so many kids. How can I know who did what?

Enraged by her indifference, I immediately withdrew my son from that school.

Six months later, I enrolled him at the Nho Quan Town Kindergarten. He was three years old at the time and assigned to Ms. Tình’s class.

At first, when he learned he had to go to school, he resisted fiercely—crying and running away. It took two people just to get him through the school gate.

But just two days later, something changed. It was a Saturday. After waking up, my son asked:

– Mom, do I go to school today?

While getting ready for work, I replied:

– No, sweetheart. Today’s Saturday. No school.

He quickly jumped out of bed, tugged at my hand, and said:

– Mom! Let me go to Ms. Tình’s class. I promise I won’t cry anymore.

I was genuinely surprised. I looked at him and asked:

– Why do you want to go to school, Nhím? I remember you used to be so scared.

He replied:

– I’m not scared anymore. Ms. Tình really loves me. She gives me candy, teaches me songs, and defends me when the other kids hit me. She says hitting is bad and that we must love one another. She made them say sorry when they hurt me. When I draw, she praises me and tells everyone to clap for me. She says I shouldn’t cry, that I have to be strong to protect you. You’ve worked so hard to raise me. You need someone to protect you. I’m a boy, and I have to be strong for you. If I cry, I’ll be too weak to protect you. So I won’t cry anymore—to protect you.

Hearing those words from my little boy stunned me. In just two days, he had gone from dreading school to genuinely wanting to go. I couldn’t help but wonder: what kind of teacher was she, that she could make my child love school so much?

In the days that followed, he continued to tell me stories about Ms. Tình—how kind she was, and all the thoughtful things she did for him. I felt deeply grateful to have found her.

I remember once forgetting to pack milk in his bag. That evening, he said:

– Mom, why didn’t you bring me milk today? Ms. Tình had to walk in the sun to buy some for me. Please don’t forget again. What if she gets sick from the heat?

I felt awful that my carelessness had caused his teacher to go out of her way.

The next morning, I apologized when dropping him off:

– I’m so sorry. I forgot to pack his milk yesterday. Let me pay you back for it.

Ms. Tình smiled and replied:

– It’s nothing, really. You’re raising your child on your own—it’s understandable to forget sometimes. Don’t worry about the money. That was a gift from me to the child.

Her words touched me deeply. She was truly a kind and devoted teacher.

There were times when my father couldn’t pick up my son by 6 PM. She brought him home herself. When my father was hospitalized, and I had no one else to pick him up, I asked if she could take care of him until I finished work.

I expected her to refuse—but to my surprise, she immediately agreed. Not only did she take him home, but she also fed him, bathed him, and put him to sleep.

When I offered to pay her for the extra time, she declined and said:

– Everyone has hard times. I’m just helping a little. It’s nothing. Use that money for your father’s hospital bills.

Time passed. I watched my son grow into a happy, polite, and confident boy. He loved learning, singing, and even looked forward to school on weekends. I was at peace, knowing he was in such good hands.

Thankfully, Ms. Tình taught my son from age 3 to 5. She helped shape him into a well-mannered, independent child with good habits—no swearing, obedient, self-motivated to study.

I can’t imagine what things would’ve been like without her—a teacher who loved my child like her own.

Even now, after many years, I still remember her with deep gratitude and respect. I hope she continues to be the gentle, nurturing guide who helps many more young lives grow and thrive.