Can parents get schools to listen when their kids are in strife? Is it possible to get a happy outcome?
It is a given that schools are in control of your children once they go through the school gate. Any sensible parent knows this and when everything is humming along there is no need for confronting talks. You enrolled your child in a school that you believe is the best. What can go wrong?
But it does! It is normal to be upset or in a state of shock when it happens. You did not expect this one. Your child is well behaved!
But can you keep your emotions under control when you are called to the school because your child or teenager is in trouble? You are needed, you are the one where the buck stops.
Instead of feeling worry and confused troubleshooting is a more productive approach. Going into the office to face the administrators in a calm and logical manner goes in your favour, especially if your child or teenager is facing a 2 week suspension or even exclusion.
Communication is the key. Closely listen to all the facts and while processing the information ask questions. If it is a really serious situation, write notes. It is recommended that you take along a partner or friend as a back up and this is a good way to compare notes and get extra idea with the next move.
Be aware that schools use Behaviour Management Plans so when a child breaks a rule then specific consequences are given out. It is matter of fact. But administrators can and do misread the situation and this is when an appeal effectively works in a parent's favour. I know of parents who have paid lawyers to win their cases. They find the loopholes!
If you are willing to fight a principal's decision do so, but also think of your child/teenager. Does he/she want to stay in this particular school? Does it make more sense to shift to another school? Sometimes a parent decides to home school, this is a big decision for the parent and child. Sometimes shifting is not a good idea when your teenager is near the end of the last year and his overall performance score is going to be adversely affected.
A happy outcome can be any number of things for a parent and child/teenager. It just depends on so many factors. The one essential parent thing is unconditional love and support for the child/teenager because they are under siege.
Cheers and Blessings
I was just wondering in a general way, do they have or allow homeschooling there. IOW is there any alternative to the school.
Good day old-guy-photo, yes there is homeschooling happening in Australia. It is a requirement that parents are registered so they teach the correct correct which is the Australian Curriculum in all schools, private and public. There are approximately 50,000 children being home schooled at the moment.
Howdy angiemitchell! the key is to just have perfect kids so this problem never comes up, simple as that! lol.. oh I wish.
Afternoon janton, haha I like your solution. Having perfect kids would take away all the stress. Just imagine, no fighting or acting out etc. But then, life might be boring! lol.
haha! life would not even be challenging would it? I have a cousin who had perfect kids.
Just unbelievably excellent and made great choices. Then after they grew up and left the
house drama and big problems arose with them so no parent escapes totally!
Good morning janton, growing up is a training ground so I would prefer our kids learned then and not later. How terrible adult kids having constant big problems.
Howdy today angiemitchell! I agree, get the hard lessons over with early! lol. Life for adults is tough enough with all the responsibilities and hassles of life.