Schools and parents need to work in together as partners – with each other, not against each other – if children are to do well.

It’s far harder now than when teaching was done twenty-five years ago. It is not so much the constant changes to what the teachers are expected to teach or the extra paperwork; it is the parents and the students who show the teachers so little respect now. When children hear parents doing the teachers down at home, it’s hard for them to accept the teacher’s (and further more, the school’s) authority and take work seriously when they’re at school.

Parents
* At all times, try to reflect the teacher’s commitments and perspective, even if you take your son’s side
* Teachers are people too; they have personal lives and sometimes go through hard times; they like to hear good news as well as bad; most do their best and are stretched close to their limit
* Don’t be too shy to tell teachers what seems to work best for your son; they can’t know everything
* It’s only fair to the teacher and your son to tell the school if there’s a problem at home that might affect his behavior or work in school

Teachers
* These days, we all have to earn the respect we feel is our due; don’t put parents down; try to see things from their point of view
* Be aware that vulnerable parents are likely to take your treatment of their son personally, as if you’re doing it to them; respecting every boy in your care contributes to respectful home-school relationships
* Send home good news, not just bad
* At parent-teacher evenings, take parents’ concerns seriously, and end with: ‘Is there anything else?’; an alternative time can be arranged if the issue demands it

Children need to trust their teacher if they are to engage fully with learning. Constant carping about teachers at home, especially about a particular one, will encourage a boy to block out whatever that teacher is trying to impart.

Related posts:

1. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Model Respect For Women

2. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Support the School

3. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Nurture His Self-Respect

4. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Respect His Feelings

5. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Respect His Right to Know

6. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Identify the Danger Signs and Times

7. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Hear His Side of the Story

8. The basics of the teachers’ important role of children’s happiness

9. The Basics of Encouraging Self-Management: How to Parent Your Boys

10. The Basics of How to Parent Your Boys: Offer Extra Closeness