Mean Parents

[JustRNingAlong, BSN]

Hi all!

Just about have had it with really rude, condescending parents. The sense of entitlement is just awful.

It really is all about "How can YOU help me" and not "How can I help your child and you?"

I really enjoy what I do and that's why I am here, seeking some words of advice and encouragement.

Just looking to hear what you guys have done in situations where parents may have berated you.

Thanks!

Yup, some parents really do suck, unfortunately. Thankfully the awesome ones outweigh the sucky ones. It is hard to work with those parents who feel that the rules do not apply to them or their child, that their precious snowflake is more important than all the other children we are responsible for. I just try to take a deep breath, get admin behind me if needed and do what I need to do.

[grammy1]

I just look for the little bits of Karma that come around. Sometimes it's a long wait, but I had some come around yesterday and it gave me a big smile.

[Amethya]

Ugh. I hate mean parents. I already have a black list with three names, and today it seems to get longer.

I had a parent get upset with me because LD (Who btw is notorious to come to my office because he wants to go home and says he's sick and he's not) came to me just before school stating someone tripped him on purpose outside. I asked him if he knew who it was, he said no, that it was an older kid. Then he said this whole school is nothing but big bullies. I asked him if this kid has bullied him before, and he said yes. But how does he not know who he is? Then he said that he was running around then he was tripped on purpose. How do you know if it was on purpose or accidental?

So I called mom, I told her he's fine, but we don't know what exactly happened because it's LD's word, and I wasn't there. I told her it could of been an accident or on purpose but we will check the cameras and ask around to see what happened. But she said I'm calling her child a liar and that someone is bullying her baby. I had to talk over her and explain, I'm not calling him a liar, but we don't know what happened and I will let my AP know so we can check the cameras and see what happened.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

Hi all!

Just about have had it with really rude, condescending parents. The sense of entitlement is just awful.

It really is all about "How can YOU help me" and not "How can I help your child and you?"

I really enjoy what I do and that's why I am here, seeking some words of advice and encouragement.

Just looking to hear what you guys have done in situations where parents may have berated you.

Thanks!

Old Dude is better at this than I am but you really have to let it roll. And understand that in general, people who are happy with you won't necessarily tell anyone but people who are unhappy will tell the world.

You're right - lots of entitlement. Lots of "not my fault."

Do whatever you can to communicate consistently. Be impeccable with you word. When you're wrong, acknowledge it - I was told by a great woman leader once "If you have to swallow a frog, don't sit and stare at it too long." If you do those things then the people who matter will understand that the parent who's berating you probably is the owner of the issue and not you.

[OldDude]

Just shake the "etch-a sketch" after they leave and let em fester in their own misery.