Sometimes parents may need a “push” to get involved with the school. As a Family Program staff member, you can only advocate so much; however, you can empower parents who may not otherwise feel they have the authority or confidence to get involved.
Here are some techniques that a Family Program staff member can use to empower parents:
- When a child does well in school or shows improvement, compliment the parent. How did they get that to happen? What does that say about them as parents?
- Seek out parents’ advice. Have them teach a provider—and, in turn, a teacher—about their child.
- For families at their wits’ end, ask, “What keeps you going? How have you managed to not throw in the towel?” The most important key to success is to engender hope; it means that change is possible.
- Build confidence by reminding them that they have the resources and strengths to be effective with (and for) their children.
Parents can get involved by joining committees, joining school/district planning teams, or volunteering (e.g., as a lunchroom monitor, tutor, library aid, classroom speaker on a topic of interest, concession worker at school events). Parents can also look through school newsletters and visit the school’s website for other opportunities.