@mercyandgrace I have no idea what you think acting like a parent means. I have 3 cousins, 8 9 and 10 whom I regularly babysit and take them out for activities when I do so, and I am routinely naturally mistaken for being their dad, including by other people who have kids. What's wrong with all those people and parents? Are you saying they dont make it as good parents because they think im their dad? I guarantee you would be no exception. You would not know im their cousin and not their parent until you hear them calling me something other than "dad."

As for the kid having any idea what parent teacher conferences are like, did you ever consider that attending them with his parents before might give him an ioda of a clue what they are like? Doi.

Don't know what to say or ask? How is my son doing? What is his average? Is he getting all his assignments done? Is there anything he needs to improve on? How is his in class conduct? His participation? His attendence? Do you have any concerns? Suggestions?

What is it about any of those things that would cause a teacher to say "Aha! You are no parent, you are a paid actor!"

There is no standard parent and no standard script for what all parents say or ask during conferences.