A parent recently wrote to the Care and Feeding column, a popular advice section for parenting challenges, expressing concern about their daughter’s third-grade teacher, whom they referred to in a nickname as “Miss D(umbass).” The teacher has introduced a system where students are paired with “friends” to play with during recess, and these friendships earn “friendship points” that can be exchanged for small rewards like candy or toys. The parent’s daughter, Samantha, has been paired with Giselle, a student she finds difficult to be around. The parent is now weighing whether to talk to the teacher directly or consider transferring Samantha to a different class, while also worrying about how sensitive the teacher might be to criticism. The column’s response encouraged the parent to focus on helping Samantha build social skills rather than seeking a classroom change. The advice suggested engaging Samantha in open conversations about her experiences and guiding her through interactions with Giselle. It also emphasized the importance of maintaining a respectful relationship with the teacher, even if there are disagreements. The columnist pointed out that using a derogatory nickname could affect the parent’s rapport with the teacher and recommended avoiding such language. In another letter, a parent shared concerns about their kindergartener, who has a habit of telling imaginative stories that other parents have found misleading. The parent is unsure how to address the child’s tendency to fabricate tales while still encouraging honesty. The advice offered was to redirect the child’s creativity into structured activities like storytelling or imaginative play, allowing them to express their imagination in a positive way without imposing the stories on others. A third letter asked how to explain an autism assessment to a 9-year-old son. The advice emphasized being honest and reassuring the child that the assessment is meant to help understand what kind of support he might need at school. The columnist suggested explaining that everyone’s brain works differently and that knowing this can help teachers and parents provide the right tools to make learning easier and more enjoyable for the child.