Dealing With Difficult Parents (and with Parents In Difficult Situations)

This course explores the dynamics of today’s difficult parents who are prevalent in schools and teacher interactions. Analyzing the cause of combative parents such as poverty, affluence, and family system problems help educators understand these parents. Ways of dealing with and communicating with difficult parents are presented. Strategies for teachers and school personnel to prevent conflict with parents and handling difficult situations are discussed. Presenting bad news to parents as well as increasing parent involvement are also addressed. Educators will write an application essay or a school, team or individual plan to address difficult parents as well as research on this issue. (3 credits)

Write a brief paragraph or two about ideas, knowledge and information that you thought was significant from each chapter in the book. Perhaps statements, a paragraph or a concept that was enlightening and applicable to teaching. Bullet points of main issues are also fine.

1. An Overview: Dealing with Difficult Parents
2. Today’s Parents: Who Are These Guys? Describing Today’s Parents
3. What’s Wrong with These Parents Anyway?
4. Communicating with Parents: Building Credibility
5. Positive Communication with Parents- an Ounce of Prevention
6. Listen, Learn, and Cultivate
7. Soothing the Savage Beast
8. What if the Parent is Right?
9. The Best Way to Get in the Last Word
10. Do You Feel Defensive? If So, Something is Wrong
11. Dealing with Parents in Difficult Situations – Delivering the Bad News
12. But I Did Get A Good Deal - Examining the Car Salesman
13. What if they Use the “F” word – Fair?
14. Focus on the Future
15. Increasing Parental Involvement
16. PI at School
17. PI at Home

Write a two or three-page final application paper regarding your experience and understanding of the book Dealing with Difficult Parents and Parents in Difficult Situations. The essay should be in an area of interest that is relevant to your teaching and life experience. Write about your own experience and how you will apply the information in the book to your methodology or classroom. Alternative options to the final essay could be a classroom activity, a lesson plan or unit-plan.

Total assignments include:

1. Chapter Reviews
2. Final Application Essay (or alternative assignment)
3. Research Article Review