Dealing with Difficult Parents

Dealing with Difficult Parents

Facilitated by Chris Robertson & Gina Tryforos

Difficult Parents: Jim and Pam Halpert

Establish the Right Mindset

"Thank you - we really appreciate you wanting to help Cece. However, the evaluations were wrong so we aren't going to share any of the test results with the school."

Know the Pitfalls

Strategies that Work

Be Prepared ***

Brain loves to develop patterns!

Definition of a Difficult Parent

Visualize the meeting ***

Emotions - Fight, Flight, Freeze

Don't judge ***

Turn & Talk

Remain true to the goal

What are the potential pitfalls you may experience?

What tasks do you need to do to prepare for this meeting (emotionally and professionally)?

What "assumptions" or "judgements" should be left at the door?

What is the goal that will be your "beacon"?

Difficult Parent : Mr. Stanley Hudson

A parent who is unable to:

1. Be respectful in their communication

2. Partner on a plan and effectively follow-through

Summon a hero or mentor

“She [the Montessori teacher] must acquire a moral alertness which has not hitherto been demanded by any other system, and this is revealed in her tranquility, patience, charity, and humility. Not words, but virtues, are her main qualifications.”

"I'll do your stupid plan, but you are an idiot and don't know what the hell you are doing!"

Turn & Talk

Share a time you interacted with a difficult parent.

• Why was the parent difficult?
• What feelings did you have?
• How did you handle the interaction?
• What did you do well?
• What did you not do well?
• What was the outcome?

Take-Aways?

Think About:

Proactive Techniques

Make the first touch point a positive one

Call a parent when their email is prickly

How would you define a "difficult parent"?

or

A difficult parent is a parent who...

Don't respond immediately to an email

Welcome & Introductions

Connection Techniques

Begin with a "thank you" and then find a story that shows you see the good in their child.

Share information and observations, not opinions

Be clear, specific, and to the point

Two Fists

Gina Tryforos

Dean of Faculty & Program

Learning Support Coordinator

Fraser Woods Montessori

Chris Robertson

Head of School

Fraser Woods Montessori

Mr. and Mrs. Smith are parents of a 3rd grader at Misty Mountain Montessori. Their daughter, Devon, is an only child and she started in the Toddler program. Devon always comes to school in clean clothes and the parents have a nanny who drops Devon off and picks her up. You have only met mom once during Back to School Night - she was cordial but curt.

It is November but you have been noticing that Devon's behavior, which began at first as reserved, has escalated to unkind. She calls children names, grabs or pushes children when she is angry, and rarely takes ownership of her actions.

In the staff room, you have overheard several conversations that dad is "out of the picture" and there are "no boundaries at home." You also heard, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I heard from a parent that Mrs. Smith is so rude!" as well as "Devon is spoiled, you had to see the way she talks to her nanny."

Turn & Talk

Name, Where you work, What you do, How long?

What you hope to learn from this workshop?