How to Handle Hard-to-handle Parents

by Maryln Appelbaum

• ISBN13: 9781412964401
• ISBN10: 1412964407
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2009-08-12
• Publisher: Corwin Pr

Summary

When parents feel welcomed, cared about, and valued, everyone benefits. This is a must-have resource to help all educators communicate effectively and establish good relationships with all parents, particularly those who are difficult to handle. Readers will learn about: Parents of all backgrounds The characteristics of difficult people Dealing with parents in difficult situations Listening so that parents will talk to you Conducting superior parent conferences Getting parents to follow through at home Handling the "Know It All," "Blamer," "Helicopter," and others Forming successful partnerships with parents How to Handle Hard-to-Handle Parents and Create a Parent-Friendly School  includes sample forms and letters that educators can use to create positive relationships, many scenarios and vignettes, and tips and techniques for establishing relationships with families whose first language is not English.

Table of Contents

List of Figures

Preface

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Introduction

How to Reach Parents and Prevent Problems Before They Happen

The Changing Face of Families

What Parents Want From Teachers

Reasons Parents Do Not Come to School

Prevent Problems Before They Happen

Making Diverse Groups Feel Welcome

Opening the Doors to the School for All Families

About Hard-to-Handle People

What Is a Difficult Person?

Characteristics of Difficult People

The Six "Nevers" With Hard-to-Handle Parents

Five Ways Parents Can Make You Lose Your Cool and How to Choose Healthier Responses

How to Handle the Hard-to-Handle Parent: Strategies for Success

The Right Way to Say No

The Opposite Response for Parents Who Are Negative and Argumentative

Repetition Response

Don't Get Sidetracked

Agree With the Person

Apologize

Use the Mirror Response

Stand

How to Handle Angry Parents

The Nine-Step Intervention

How to Handle Parents With Bad Attitudes

How to Handle the "Know-It-All"

The "Blamer"

The Defensive Parent

The "Helicopter" Parent

The "Negative Cynical" Parents

The "Backstabber"

The Parent Whose Child "Does No Wrong"

Parents Who Think You Are Not Fair

Parents Who Are Extremely Angry

Listening Skills for Hard-to-Handle Parents

The Communication Process

Power Listening

Once the Door Has Been Opened

The Greatest Gift

How to Talk so Parents Listen

Five Styles to Manage Frustration and Anger

Keys to Being Assertive

Power Request

Power Persuasion

Practice Makes Perfect

Parent Conferences: An Ounce of Prevention That Prevents a Pound of Problems

Set the Scene: The Focus Factor

The Conference

Key Points to Enhance Conferences

The Five-Step Approach to Telling Parents Negative News Checklist

Parents as Partners: Enhancing Collaboration and Teamwork

Forming the Partnership: A Collaborative Relationship

How to Get Parents to Follow Through at Home

Conclusion

A Parent's Plea to Teachers

References

Index

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