Every Teacher's Guide to Working With Parents

Preface Acknowledgments About the Author 1. Understanding the Lives of Parents: Why Do They Do Those Things They Do? Scenario: "If the Parents Would Just..." Demands and Decisions What Experts Have to Say Quick Tips on Important Issues Popular Literature A Theoretical Look at Parenting Styles So, What's the Problem? What's a Parent to Do? Avoid Extremes Focus on the Target Goals of Parenting Try Hard...and Keep Trying The Kids Have a Role Children Grow and Change Parents Change and Develop Too Helping Parents Who Have Special Struggles Troubled Parents Parents With Troubled Kids Parents Love Their Kids Additional Resources Books Web Sites 2. Collaborating With Parents: How Can Teachers Build Relationships That Work? Scenario: "Is It Going to Matter?" Understanding Complementary Spheres of Knowledge and Influence What Do Teachers Mean When They Say They Want Support? What Do Parents Want From Teachers? What Qualities in a Teacher Are Most Important to Parents? What Positive and Negative Experiences With Teachers Do Parents Remember? What Do Parents Do When a Child Dislikes the Teacher? What Do Parents Do When They Disagree With the Teacher? Professionalism...in a Personal Way Working With Parents: Key Strategies for Teachers Greet Parents With Respect and Interest in Their Children Solicit and Utilize Parent Questions, Advice, and Comments Think About Homework Develop "We-ness" Be Prepared With Interesting, Meaningful Information Be Honest...and Patient Be Professional...in a Personal Way Ask Not What the Parents Can Do for You but What You Can Do for the Parents Coping With Difficult Parents...or Parents With Difficulties Sometimes It's a Difficult Situation Sometimes It's the Parent Sometimes It's the Student And Sometimes It's the Teacher Conclusion Additional Resources Books Web Sites 3. Advocating for Parents: What Are Powerful Messages We Can Share? Scenario: "I Didn't Know How to Say It" Message One: All of Us Have Parents...and Most of Us Become Them The Problem With Ethnocentrism: Like Me/Not Like Me Thinking The Problem With Assumptions A Gentle Reminder Message Two: Many Powerful Factors Create Misconceptions About Parenting Remembering the Past Media Influences Habits of Mind The Real Deal Message Three: Most Parents Are Good Enough Children's Health and Happiness Time and Attention Encouraging Learning When There Are Problems Message Four: Successful Families Come in Different Shapes and Sizes Moms and Dads Single Parents Stepparents What the Children Want Message Five: It Really Does Take a Village to Raise a Child Members of the Village What the Village Can Do Message Six: Schools That Advocate for Families Reap Multiple Rewards Attitude and Atmosphere Buildings and Bridges Communication, Collaboration, and Competence Parting Words Additional Resources Books Web Sites References Index