Here's how you can build the confidence to navigate challenging conversations with parents as an educator.

Confidence is crucial when discussing a child with their parents. However, taking the time to learn about the student’s interests outside of academics and knowing a bit about the family can significantly ease the conversation. This approach fosters a connection and shows that you care about the student beyond the classroom. By demonstrating genuine interest in their lives, you can create a smoother, more productive dialogue with parents, ultimately supporting the student’s overall well-being and success. Parents are more likely to "buy into" anything you want the child to do when they feel that genuine connection to you.

Learn about the family situation from the counsellor or administrator ahead of time. If the family has challenges, you may want to involve the counsellor in any challenging conversations. It is important to remember that as an educator, you do not have to take any verbal abuse. Report to support. Report to your administrator and your union.

Clear communication during parent-teacher conferences is key. Remember parents want you to hear them, more than they want to hear you, so be brief, informative, friendly with your presentation concerning their child. Use language that parents can easily understand or define any educational terms they might not be familiar with. Always wrap up the meeting with a summary of the next steps if needed. Sending a follow-up email highlighting the discussion and outlining how you will work together as a team for their student's success is even better. This approach ensures everyone is on the same page and reinforces a collaborative effort for the student's well-being, and hopefully fewer miscommunication incidents with parents.

Post every parent conversation is a great time to reflect on what you did. Focus on what three things you were amazing at. Too often we look for the fault in ourselves when we should be looking for our light and praising our efforts. Working with parents is difficult because the entire communication is emotionally charged for them. So praise your efforts and think of one thing that you would change for next time. Take a moment to reflect on your own skills and how to improve overall.

As a former teacher, I made every effort to connect with parents regularly for a good reason. If they are only receiving calls or emails from you when things are not going well, it creates a less collaborative relationship. Parents love to hear when their kids are doing well! Either by email or by phone, reach out to each parent once a quarter with some encouraging news about their student. Trust will be built quicker than you know.