A TikTok creator known as @giantcookielady shared a personal story about a conversation with her son’s preschool teacher that she said left her “floored.” In the video, the woman, who appears to be applying makeup while speaking to the camera, discusses her approach to parenting and her belief in listening to educators. The video, which features on-screen text that reads “Believe teachers!”, has drawn comments from other parents and teachers.
The creator explained that her 5-year-old son “has had seasons of being the perfect child and of being the problem child.” She recounted that for the entire preschool year, “he’d been so great, and then all of a sudden, not so great.” Her son has recently started kindergarten.
She stated that her and her husband’s “initial reaction… has always been, what can we do at home? What can we do to help you?” She said she wanted to “know what his problem areas are because sometimes they’re not bringing those behaviors home.” She also admitted that “sometimes we’re tired and overlooking it and just coddling him.”
Teacher’s reaction to a parent’s proactive question
The video’s central moment came when the creator described the teacher’s response to their question. She recalled, “And she seriously said to me, you don’t know how nice it is to be asked that and how nice it is not to be treated like we’re accusing someone’s kid of being a criminal.” The creator said this interaction “floored” her.
This experience reinforced her personal philosophy. She said, “if there’s one thing I’m gonna do first and foremost, it’s believe women. Even when it’s about my son, I’m gonna believe women.” She also acknowledged her son’s behavior, stating she knows he is “smart, somewhat schemey,” and that he knows “what he thinks he can get away with when I’m not there.”
The anecdote led her to a broader observation about parent-teacher dynamics. She said it put “into perspective for me how many parents are arguing with teachers about whether or not their kids are actually a problem.” She clarified that she does not believe “any child is a real problem. A child is a child is a child.”
Her advice to other parents for the new school year was direct. She said, “please, this school year, if there is any advice I can give, believe the teachers. Listen to them. Work with them.” She emphasized the challenges teachers face, noting, “It’s a lot of kids to look after. And their job gets so much harder when there is one child— mine— draining their attention and resources. It is taking away from other kids. Please believe teachers.”
The video’s caption repeated the core message: “BELIEVE TEACHERS 🗣️ #teachers #kindergarten #backtoschool”. The creator’s account name is listed as “giantcookielady.”
Comments from viewers include parents and educators
The video’s comment section featured responses from users who identified themselves as parents and teachers. One commenter wrote, “My problem is the opposite. I straight up asked my daughter’s 1st grade teacher if she is a Regina George or a Gretchen Weiner. “No. She’s perfect at school.” Listen, you can be honest with me. I know her. I live with her. I will fix it, but I have to know what I’m targeting. “Nope. She saves it all for home.” Do I know where she gets it? Yes. Do I appreciate that she isn’t someone else’s problem, sure. But just once, I wish she’d let loose so I don’t look crazy.”
A user identifying as a preschool teacher responded, “As a preschool teacher, you’re a rarity but my absolute favorite kind of parent.” Another comment read, “Grade 1 teacher here… when I thought you had me at cookies 😭”.
Several comments referenced the challenges of teaching. One user stated, “The stories I could tell you as a teacher.” Another wrote, “i taught severe autism self-contained, you’d be amazed how so many parents response was, well they have autism. ok great lady, so does everyone here but we’re all not throwing chairs.”
A final comment from a parent aligned with the video’s message: “I specifically told my kid’s new teacher about struggles I know my kid will have (even though this kid is a star student 95% of the time), and said not to be worried letting us know if there are concerns we can work on at home or with professionals. I promise we’ll believe you!”
