Dear Nona,

I love teaching, but I’m drowning in parent emails. Some of them are totally reasonable, but then there are the ones that come in at 11 PM, expecting an immediate response. How do I set boundaries without coming across as unhelpful?

— Drowning in My Inbox

Dear Drowning in My Inbox,

Ah, yes. The 11 PM email. Nothing quite like a message timestamped at “Too Late for This Nonsense” o’clock.

Here’s the deal: Just because someone emails you at 11 PM does not mean you need to reply at 11:01. Or even before your first cup of coffee the next day. My rule? I respond during work hours, period. If your school allows it, set up an autoresponder:

"Thank you for reaching out. I will respond during school hours (7:30 AM - 3:30 PM). If this is urgent, please contact the school office."

It’s firm, polite, and—best of all—keeps you from becoming tech support at midnight.

Now, what to expect next: Some parents will push back, especially if they’ve emailed during school hours. You might get the dreaded, “But I saw you read my email!” (The curse of read receipts!) When that happens, keep it short:

“I prioritize my students’ learning during the school day and respond to emails as soon as I can after that.”

Notice what’s missing? An apology. Because you don’t owe one. Boundaries are not rude. They are necessary.

You serve your students best when you protect your time and peace. ♡

— Nona