parent perspective

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Home : 2004 : December : 20

parent perspective
By roo

I don't often have much of a parent problem. I had a few doozies early on and really agonized over "making them happy". I finally realized a few things that made my interactions a lot better.

1) I am never going
to please everyone
2) I am dealing with this person's most precious "possession": their baby, their child that they love more than anything, and hopefully want the best for. If I concede the fact that they are the most important people in each other's lives, I recognize that I am just one of many teachers they will encounter. It's not all about me.
3) If I make a mistake, I need

to admit it and move on. Parents know I'm not perfect.
4) I can put my years of customer service training to use. Those years of working with the public and learning how to diffuse an argument by letting someone who is upset have their say, finding something you can agree on, asking "what can I do to make you satisfied?" It takes all of the aggression out of the situation and it really works.
I'm not suggesting my parent relationships are perfect. Of course, they're not. I do believe that sometimes,though, teachers (like people in general) get defensive when approached and that sets a tone for a battle.
Yes, there are parents who are unreasonable and even mean. Those we find a way to tolerate while teaching their child. With the exception of those, enjoy those positive parent relationships. They can be a real perk.