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Posted on March 2, 2013 12:11 am
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Zafer Unal
Zafer Unal
Reps: 1007
Diffusing an elevated or explosive situation with parents
1. Allow the parent to be accompanied by a person who will act as a second set of ears. Someone who will to the offer support to the parent.
2. Put yourself in the parent's shoes. Try to understand the nature of the parent's concerns. Be practical and supportive. Set egos to the side.
3. Find a common ground with the parent. Keeping the child's best interest in mind at all times.
4. Listen, listen, and listen. Do what you need to understand; paraphrase, clarify, suspend judgment, allow time to process.
5. Be aware of your body language. Remember 50% of communication is nonverbal.
6. Be aware of your tone, volume and cadence. Avoid sarcasm or anything that could be construed as derogatory.
7. Watch the parent's body language. Look for signs of confusion, anxiety, fear, sadness, or escalating behaviors. Know when to end a meeting.

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Comments posted for this Tip: 2

ysyByg
ysyByg
Reps: 200
These are helpful steps to follow.
  Posted on: October 15, 2017 10:09 pm

eVubez
eVubez
Reps: 54
I had a teacher go off on me for something that happened in the kindergarten hallway walking to the bus. This was obviously not in my control for I was still with the children in the classroom. However, I apologized and told her I should have emailed her as soon as I knew that it happened. I was honest and said I was not there but took responsibility for not informing her of the accident between her son and another boy. One boys backpack swung and gave her son a bloody nose when he went to stand up to get on the bus. This calmed her down and then she ended up apologizing for getting so angry. I think most parents are reasonable when teachers humble themselves and just calmly explain the situation. Most parents are very protective and will jump to blame anyone they can out of hurt for their child. Knowing this, a teacher just cannot always take every complaint so personal, it's not always to attack the teacher. Teachers become the emotional punching bag for parents sometimes, but I agree, we cannot match their anger. Our job is to try to diffuse it before it gets out of hand.
  Posted on: September 23, 2023 8:12 pm

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