| Communication with parents is one of the most difficult | | | | You may be tempted to do this when dealing with the |
| challenges a new teacher will face. The student | | | | enabling parent who expects you to do everything for |
| teaching experience doe not adequately prepare new | | | | their child to the point where the child is no longer |
| teachers for parental interaction and certainly does not | | | | making an effort. State your case in a calm tone of |
| prepare new teachers for the difficult parents. | | | | voice and set specific boundaries that indicate where |
| Difficult parents are everywhere in every school | | | | the teaching accommodation ends and the child must |
| district in every location of this country. Of course, you | | | | take responsibility. |
| will run across the supportive parents, but the difficult | | | | Expect Respect |
| ones will require some extra effort on mastering | | | | As much as you may not want to, respect the difficult |
| communications. Mastering the art of interacting with | | | | parent and insist that they respect you in return. If the |
| difficult parents means your first year of teaching will | | | | parent continues to be verbally abusive, remain silent |
| be a lot less stressful. | | | | and walk away, or suggest they return at another time |
| Here are a few survival tips on communication with | | | | when they can talk to you in a civil manner. |
| difficult parents: | | | | Maintain Eye Contact |
| Listen Attentively | | | | Make sure you are eye level with the parent and do |
| Event the most unreasonable parent wants to be | | | | not hide behind any structural object during the |
| heard. If a parent is berating you, respond in a manner | | | | interaction. This will send the message to the parent |
| that indicates you heard what they said. Calmly use | | | | that you are not intimidated by the situation and you |
| comments like, "so, you are angry" or, "I understand | | | | are confident in who you are and what you do. |
| why you feel that way, but...." Do this in a calm tone of | | | | Be Silent |
| voice and then listen to what happens to the parent's | | | | A difficult parent is usually one who thrives on exerting |
| tone of voice. In most cases, you will find the parent | | | | power over others. If you react in the same manner, |
| backing down. | | | | you are fueling the fire and further aggravating the |
| Do Not Argue | | | | situation. Remaining silent to their attacks is like denying |
| Do not argue with an angry parent because this will | | | | a fire the air it needs to thrive; it will weaken the flame |
| send the message that the parent can push your | | | | as well as deny the parent the attention they seek. |
| buttons and that you are easy to control. As frustrated | | | | Remember that as a first year teacher you still have |
| as you may be, maintain a calm tone of voice and you | | | | rights not to be treated as the rookie. In addition, your |
| will find this will neutralize the situation rather quickly. | | | | well being is essential to the success of what will be |
| Do Not Accuse | | | | the most stressful year of your career. |
| Whatever you do, never accuse a parent of anything. | | | | |