Teacher here. And I only reply to parents and students inside my working hours.  I have often read the email but don't reply. This is because I have had the pleasure of dealing with a parent who would phone as soon as they received the email.it was a signal to them that I had free time for a lengthy conversation. But I also don't communicate with parents and students if I am on any sort of leve and so not at work for the day.

@fe As a teacher I completely agree with this.  Often the interviews that run overtime are the parents who are lovely people and engaged in their kids lives but just want to catch up because they haven't talked to me since last PT night and don't have questions or concerns about their child's progress.

I started to fall into the trap of a well rounded childhood for my kids, 5 and 7, and realised that the more activities they did the more miserable and tired I got. I've learnt to let go. Not worry about what is expected. We don't do any after school activities and we are all happier for it as we do so much more impromptu things as a family. Our biggest enemy as a parent is ourselves and the expectations of what things are supposed to be like that we try to apply to our own lives. Look after your mental health first.