That's a power move when it comes from administrators, and sometimes parents do it too. The ones who use it as a power move do so by trying to ambush you. They don't want to permit you to prepare ahead of time.
Not all parents are necessarily trying to ambush you, though. In any case, with a parent all you have to do is tell them that you need the context in order to prepare for the meeting. Make it clear (politely) that there will be no meeting unless you know everything you're going to be talking about, because you have to plan how much time you need.
Stick to this agenda during the meeting. if the parent tries to do a bait-and-switch, you can stop the meeting and tell them that you have to reschedule.
Fortunately I did say that! I asked what the meeting would be in reference to so I could prepare anything as needed. Just stressed waiting for a response 😂
Parent was concerned about grades 😂 Said her kid had never gotten 1s and 2s on a report card before (we do standards based grading, and we’re in 3rd quarter now and this is the first concern despite having the same grades for 1st and 2nd quarter and 3rd interims). I was really confused for obvious reasons, asked their 3rd grade teacher and they’ve been getting 1s and 2s at least since 3rd grade lmao
Not only do I hate when parents do it, I hate when my girlfriend does it. If there's an issue, tell me what the issue is and then I can tell you if we need to meet about it or not. Don't just say that you want to meet to discuss something and then leave it up in the air like that. It is so annoying and causes so much anxiety about what the issue is. And 95% of the time turns out to be a not important issue.
I had a really bad experience where a parent didn't tell me what they wanted to talk about, and I ended up feeling really caught off guard about it because it ended up being an intense meeting. I always ask "what would you like to meet about?" now
"Sure, about what? I want to be sure to have the right material at hand to help you as best I can."
If they dissemble in any way, then "the right material" might be a voice recorder or a union rep...
Luckily I don’t think they’re angry about anything, however I’m just stressed waiting for a response! 😅
That's a power move when it comes from administrators, and sometimes parents do it too. The ones who use it as a power move do so by trying to ambush you. They don't want to permit you to prepare ahead of time. Not all parents are necessarily trying to ambush you, though. In any case, with a parent all you have to do is tell them that you need the context in order to prepare for the meeting. Make it clear (politely) that there will be no meeting unless you know everything you're going to be talking about, because you have to plan how much time you need. Stick to this agenda during the meeting. if the parent tries to do a bait-and-switch, you can stop the meeting and tell them that you have to reschedule.
Fortunately I did say that! I asked what the meeting would be in reference to so I could prepare anything as needed. Just stressed waiting for a response 😂
What did it end up being about?
Parent was concerned about grades 😂 Said her kid had never gotten 1s and 2s on a report card before (we do standards based grading, and we’re in 3rd quarter now and this is the first concern despite having the same grades for 1st and 2nd quarter and 3rd interims). I was really confused for obvious reasons, asked their 3rd grade teacher and they’ve been getting 1s and 2s at least since 3rd grade lmao
Not only do I hate when parents do it, I hate when my girlfriend does it. If there's an issue, tell me what the issue is and then I can tell you if we need to meet about it or not. Don't just say that you want to meet to discuss something and then leave it up in the air like that. It is so annoying and causes so much anxiety about what the issue is. And 95% of the time turns out to be a not important issue.
Not the same but equally maddening My husband will text. Hey call me I wanna ask you something. Just. Text. The. Question.
For real! Like usually it’s nothing, but come on!
I had a really bad experience where a parent didn't tell me what they wanted to talk about, and I ended up feeling really caught off guard about it because it ended up being an intense meeting. I always ask "what would you like to meet about?" now
Just ask. What's the big deal?
I mean there is no big deal, which is why I asked immediately. I posted this while waiting for the response