Dealing with Parents is Critical
Read My Suggestions!!

Dealing with parents and helping parents, with their concerns and issues about the education of their child are everyday occurrences, that you, as their teacher must be prepared for.

As I've discussed on my parent teacher communication page, parents can be your most powerful and valuable allies, if you can communicate effectively and build a solid relationship with them.

You have to find a diplomatic and tactful solution to any situation that might come up when dealing with parents. I've listed several of these situations below. Be sure to click on each of the topics and read my teaching strategies for handling each of them.

1. Parent Interruptions

There are (as I'm sure you have experienced) many interruptions throughout the day - announcements, fire drills, someone knocking on your door - boy, do you really have to be flexible!

One that may be annoying or disconcerting is a parent interruption, especially first thing in the morning. Read the teaching strategies on handling a parent interruption that I gave to Andrea who was having such a problem.

2. Parent Complaints

In today's education system, parents usually believe their child and it's mostly the teacher's fault (NOT!). It's human nature to complain - whether it's about the weather, your job, your boss - the list goes on.

Many complaints from parents can sound demeaning and test your patience. You have to learn to take it in stride (of course that may be hard to do when you're in the middle of the situation).

Please remember to try and not let the parents have the upper hand and get control your feelings and make you doubt your capabilities. Continue smiling, even from the inside out and of course be sure to read my strategies on dealing with difficult parents . It's a real art!

Click here and watch my videos as I discuss how to deal with these four common complaints that parents bring up to teachers.

I recorded these videos at a teacher seminar that I give each year to student teachers at York University in Toronto.

3. Parent Interviews

Parent teacher interviews can be an extremely stressful time. I personally loved them, mainly because I was very organized and well prepared. Read my tips and suggestions for getting yourself ready, willing and able for dealing with parent interviews . You may start to enjoy them or at least not be so stressed out over them.

4. Parents Helping Children

The majority of parents (depending where you teach) will ask for your advice on how they can help their child have a successful and productive year in your class.

Questions about parents helping children learn are ones that I'm frequently asked. Read my suggestions on how I handle these questions.

Have you had an experience dealing with parents, that you would love to share? Just fill out the form below and I'll add it as a web page with credit to you.

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