How To Handle Difficult Parents: A Teacher's Survival Guide

by Suzanne Capek Tingley, Judy Larson (Illustrator)

This book offers practical advice for teachers, presented with a sense of humor. The stress of dealing with difficult parents remains one of the top reasons teachers cite for leaving the ranks, according to the Center for the Study of Teaching and Policy. How to Handle Difficult Parents helps teachers learn how to cope more effectively.

Learn how to handle parents like You will also find out more about the Caped Crusader, Ms. "Quit Picking on My Kid," the Stealth Zapper, the Uncivil Libertarian, No Show's Dad, and the Competitor.

Genres: Teaching, Nonfiction, Education

143 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Katie]

This year, I have moved from the high school to the middle school, and have encountered more of these parents than I was prepared for! Now I have the tools tucked under my belt next time Phinochio's mom supports his antics and Helicopter's mom volunteers in the school and suddenly appears in my classroom and slyly backslaps me with an uncompliment. I will bring up these tools at our next staff meeting. Thank you!

[CanadianReader]

A delightful read. The author describes a number of parent "types" and provides some examples of fairly common verbal exchanges that occur between teachers and the more problematic parents. There are lots of great responses modeled--all given with a light touch. This was a quick and worthwhile read. Recommended.

[Becca!]

My principal bought us each a copy. It's that good.

[Jane]

This book was good reminder. It was a funny and practical book with good ideas.

[Holly Jorgenson]

Made me literally laugh and cry. It's just all so TRUE! I would recommend this book to all teachers.

[Lindsay]

More like a 3.5. Enjoyable and informative, but not necessarily life changing. Good stuff to think about.

[Christine]

A very good book by an experienced teacher who has been there/done that. This book should be on every teacher's bookshelf, and I wish that I could require every parent to read it.

[Sarah Doyle]

For work…Great overall concept with all-too-true scenarios. Pretty cheesy but good for getting the ideas across quickly.

[Mary]

Read for a class.
Some language, even if speaking as a bully, was unnecessary.

[Meg Frank]

It was easy to read but other than giving me a sense that I am not alone in dealing with parents, it didn’t shed any new light on the situation. And the jokes got old quick.

[Michael]

This book should be required reading for every educator! I could put real names to almost every example listed in the book. Plenty of humor and plenty of good advice.

[Jane]

Checked out from a professional library. Funny, yet useful.