An Ex-Teacher's How to Guide on Handling the Dreaded Parent-Teacher Conference

You've just received the dreaded call from your child's school. Your child's teacher, Mrs. "B", wants to have a parent-teacher conference after school today. How should you handle the situation? How many times have you met with your child's teacher and come away feeling confused? Your mouth goes dry as you remember all the times you'd left the school thinking you hadn't expressed your thoughts and ideas to the teacher. Why does walking into a classroom make you feel six years old again?

You cringe, clear the lump out of your throat, and ask the caller to tell you the reason for the impromptu conference. The school's secretary, obviously not wanting to get any more involved than she already is simply by being the person who made the call, doesn't want to elaborate, but stresses to you that the matter is urgent and the conference must happen after school today.

Suddenly, your palms start sweating and memories of your mean fifth grade teacher come rushing back to you. You search your mind for possible excuses not to show up. You have a major presentation to finish. Your inbox is overflowing. You don't want to leave early because your boss will count that against your possible promotion. But the real reason you don't want to go remains in the tightening pit of your stomach. You don't want to go because you don't know how to talk to a teacher. You couldn't talk to your teachers as a child and you're no better at it as an adult. Even though you're a brilliant public speaker and negotiator, attending your child's teacher's conference sends you into a state of panic.

Let me help you. As a former teacher, I can give you the inside track with this How To Guide for talking to your child's teacher. If you follow my directions, you'll not only survive the conference, but you might just come out of her room feeling as though you've mastered the universe. This method has worked for me and, hopefully, it'll work for you.