Left-handed

I had been teaching for about five years when I had one parent call me and ask to set up a conference. She told me that she was very concerned about her son and needed to come in as soon as possible. We  been in school for less than a week but I readily agreed to meet with her the following day. The mother exclaimed that if at all possible she and her husband would both prefer to speak with me that very day. I told her that I would be happy to meet with them after school and asked if she could give me an idea about what they needed to talk with me about. She was very vague but said it was his writing.

When they entered the classroom that afternoon, both wore solemn expressions. The dad began talking immediately once they sat down. He explained that both parents were very upset because their son was left-handed. He went on to say that they had been trying to get the child to switch hands but so far had been unsuccessful. At that point, the mother interjected that she had heard that left handed people have "mental problems" and that she was very worried for her son.

I paused for a moment and then said "Let me take some notes" as I picked up my pencil with my left hand. You guessed it... I am a leftie too! I watched both parents' jaws drop in unison as far as is humanly possible. I smiled and said "I didn't mean to interrupt, please go on." They just continued to stare at me slackjawed.  I explained to them that there is no research that supports that superstition. They listened quietly, thanked me and said they couldn't agree with me more. If I had to guess who made it out the door first, I honestly couldn't do it. One minute they were thanking me and the next minute they were both hightailing it for the door.

I never heard from them again that year. When we had our Spring conference, hand preference was never mentioned. That young man would be in his thirties now and I hope he is still writing with his left hand....if he wants to!