Are there things you'd share with a teacher that you'd never tell your own parents?

She has no business being offended. I have four kids, and they control the information I get about them. Since they know I never snoop, and I don’t even ask questions on certain topics, they seem to be more free to tell me what would otherwise be secrets. Your mom has to learn to back off. I’d hide that notebook well, if I were you.

If i ever did this, it would mean there is something terribly wrong with my parents.

When offspring become a certain age it is natural for them to have thoughts that they don’t want to express with their parents. Mothers on the other hand long for this closeness they once felt with their children and a need to make sure everything is all right with their child. Your mother’s curiosity is as natural as your need for privacy. Perhaps you can explain to her that this is a way for you to express yourself without having to worry about repercussions of your thoughts. Take time out to share things you feel you can share with her…this way both of you will learn to respect each others feelings.

I did that all the time.
I’m nowhere near being close with my parents. I don’t ask about them, they don’t ask about me. It’s what we do.

My high school teachers honestly saw me more and knew more about me than my parents do.
My Auto-Body teacher I had for all 4 years was like a father to me. He helped me through some very rough times that my parents don’t know about.
I agree with @dpworkin. Hide the journal.

I think it’s so important that kids have adults they can trust as they are growing up. Such people can really be lifesavers for some children. Parents need to realize that they are not the only ones in their children’s lives—it’s part of letting go.

@dpworkin I don’t advocating hiding things from you parents is ever a good solution, UNLESS the mother is psycho and just will not willingly to listen to reason in which case the journal would be the least of the problems.

Part of what’s going on here is, a parent always wants to know what’s going on in their kids’ lives…what they’re thinking, how they’re feeling. It’s easy when the kid is young, I know, my kids are still at an age where anything goes on the kid-information-highway. As a kid gets older and has more mature thoughts and feelings, it’s natural for him or her to retreat somewhat from parents, because USUALLY what comes with sharing your thoughts and feelings is lots of unsolicited opinion and advice. Parents want to fix everything for you, rather than let you spread your wings and make your own mistakes, or what they perceive as mistakes, or what will be mistakes. I think because of this need to “help”, kids tend to keep thoughts more secret. It’s easier to share with friends and teachers, because they don’t judge in the way parents do.

I don’t share much with my parents…neither do I share stuff with my teachers.
I mean my parents should be worthy of my trust but somehow I just feel more comfortable talking about my thoughts and feelings with my friends.

@mponochie Every human being is entitled to some autonomy and privacy. It’s nonsense to suggest that a child should not be allowed any secrets. One of the first things a child learns to do is to lie.