Specific strategies for working successfully with challenging parents Parents are a vital source of support for our schools. School personnel interact with parents on a daily basis and fortunately, most of these interactions are pleasant and helpful, keeping students' needs in mind. Instances of parental aggression, however, do occur. Volatile or confrontational parents present many unique challenges for educators who have long overlooked this important issue. The Difficult Parent digs deeply into the problem of parental aggression, specifying strategies for a broad audience of educators. The guide is organized into three modules: digs deeply into the problem of parental aggression, specifying strategies for a broad audience of educators. The guide is organized into three modules: An introductory examination of parental aggression and confrontation An in-depth explanation of the RAID approach and its mechanics Step-by-step instructions for facilitating the RAID approach in any academic setting Comprehensive in scope, the RAID approach targets four steps to working successfully with difficult parents: Recognize the potential for a volatile encounter Assess your ability to deal effectively with the situation Identify your advantages Defuse the parent's aggression during the initial approach and greeting This effective, proven approach is based on real professionals' mistakes and successes. Specially featured scenarios and anecdotes depict confrontational situations experienced by school personnel, including "from the trenches" interviews with educators who have successfully implemented the RAID approach in their schools. A facilitator's guide is also included for practical implementation of the RAID approach in the academic setting.

Table of Contents:
Acknowledgements About the Author Introduction Part I: Parental Aggression Towards School Personnel 1. A Genuine Concern for School Personnel Are Confrontational Parents a Pertinent Issue? How Often Does Parental Aggression Occur? Do Employees Have to Tolerate Parental Aggression? Could Parental Aggression Affect Me? Why Does the Topic of Parental Aggression Seem Obscure? What Makes Parental Aggression a Unique Issue? Questions for Discussion 2. The Reactive Nature of Education The Effects of Reactivity Is a Proactive Approach Necessary? Why Does This Feel Funny? Why Do Parents Become Hostile? Questions for Discussion 3. Confrontational Parents and Your Colleagues School Administrators Teachers Guidance Counselors School Social Workers School Health Personnel Office Personnel School Psychologists Other School Personnel Questions for Discussion Part II: An Approach to Address Parental Aggression 4. The RAID Approach What Have We Established So Far? Seven Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the RAID Approach Just Common Sense A Schoolwide Approach to Parental Aggression Brevity and Simplicity Questions for Discussion 5. RAID Step One: Recognizing the Potential for a Volatile Encounter To Meet or Not to Meet When is it Too Risky to Meet With a Parent? How Do You Say No? The "Guilts" Step One in Motion Step One Summary Step One Checklist Questions for Discussion 6. RAID Step Two: Assessing Your Ability to Emotionally Handle the Situation What Types of Issues Affect Our Emotions and Disposition? Face Number Four Early-Warning Colleagues "I′ll be Back" Step Two Summary Step Two Checklist Questions for Discussion 7. RAID Step Three: Identifying Your Advantages Advantages: What′s Available? Workforce Advantages Environmental Advantages Step Three Summary Step Three Checklist Questions for Discussion 8. RAID Step Four: Diffusing Anger During the Initial Approach and Greeting Observing the Parent Approaching the Parent Greeting the Parent Setting Parameters Step Four Summary Step Four Checklist Questions for Discussion 9. Putting the RAID Approach to Work Case #1: Mrs. Winslow Case #2: Mrs. Cananski Summary Questions for Discussion Part III: Issues, Questions, and Installation 10. The Worst-Case Scenario ... and After After the Confrontation I Gotta Unload: The Importance of Debriefing Summary Questions for Discussion 11. Four Great Questions What If a Parent Becomes Aggressive and a Student Is in the Vicinity? What If a Parent Confronts a Staff Member Off Campus? Which Staff Member Plays the Most Important Role in the RAID Approach? How Do You Handle a Parent When He or She Returns to the School? Questions for Discussion Resource A: Traumatic Stress Reactions Questionnaire References Facilitator′s Guide Who Should Use This Guide? Who Should Receive a "RAID Approach" In-Service? When Should The RAID Approach Be Installed? How This Guide Is Organized What Materials Are Necessary? Materials for Facilitators Materials for Participants Module One Task One: Introduce the Issue of Parental Aggression Task Two: Identification of Previous Staff Interactions With Aggressive Parents Task Three: Identify the Possible Effects of Parental Aggression on School Personnel Task Four: Establish the Value of a Multidisciplinary Approach to Parental Aggression Module Two Task One: Introduce the RAID Approach Task Two: Explain Step One: Recognizing the Potential for a Volatile Encounter Task Three: Explain Step Two: Assessing Your Ability to Emotionally Handle the Situation Task Four: Explain Step Three: Identifying Your Advantages Task Five: Explain Step Four: Diffusing Parent Anger During the Initial Approach and Greeting Module Three Task One: Solicit Feedback Regarding the RAID Approach Task Two: Identify Roles and Responsibilities Task Three: Discuss Worst-Case Scenarios Task Four: Establish a Debriefing Mechanism Overhead #1 Overhead #2 Overhead #3 Overhead #4 Overhead #5 Overhead #6 Overhead #7 Overhead #8 Overhead #9 Index