Parent-teacher conferences are tough for parents (and teachers), and often leave you feeling more frustrated than before you went in.
You’ve got 15 minutes to discuss one of your favorite people in the world and their entire future. Small seats, no air conditioning, and that dad in the hallway who keeps coughing outside the door. Conferences are HARD on all of us.
One great tactic to handle parent-teacher conferences is to focus on a GROW and GLOW moment for your child. The GROW is something your child is working towards - for example, reading, multiplication, or managing the daily schedule. The GLOW is something that they are excelling at - for example, working with others, group projects, or turning in assignments. Each GROW and GLOW tells a balanced story of your child’s development, and honors both their strengths and a growth mindset about their ability to take on challenges.
Though listening to feedback about our children can be frustrating, as you sit in your conference, use the GROW and GLOW to think about the entire picture of your small human - the breadth and depth of their character, the magic only you know. You can be their greatest advocate AND acknowledge their challenges. And you can help their teacher to do it, too.
If you don’t get a GROW and GLOW, ask for it in your teacher meeting. Come prepared with observations from homework and behavior at home, and share it as it relates to information that their teacher shares. Strive for a parent-teacher partnership, not an adversarial battle or an all out love fest. Relationships are hard work, and built overtime.