Principals, Have You Met These Parents in Your School?
Principals, Have You Met These Parents in Your School?
Principals encounter lots of parenting styles in their schools. Tell us about the "types" you’ve seen and strategies and tips you've used to interact with them in productive ways.
Do you have a suggestion for working with parents like these? Share your advice, tips, or anecdotes here.
Related Story: What Principals Can Do When Parents and Teachers Clash
Lawnmower or Snowplow
Parents who “mow” down or clear obstacles their child could face, going to sometimes extreme lengths to ensure their child avoids disappointment and only experiences success.
Helicopter
“Hovering” and overprotective parents who are involved in every minute aspect of their child’s life, including their schooling and academics.
Tiger
Parents with an authoritarian style who demand high achievement from their children in school, sports, music, and other extracurricular activities. These parents view leisure as a waste of time. This term was popularized by author Amy Chua.
Elephant
Nurturing and protective parents who place a high value on encouragement and empathy.
Jellyfish
Permissive parents who have few rules and expectations for their children and may overindulge them.
Dolphin
Firm, but flexible parents who strive to balance the enforcement of rules and expectations with nurturing creativity and independence in their kids.
Free-Range
Parents who encourage their children to be more independent, with the goal of developing their self-reliance.
Got Advice?
Principals, do you have a suggestion for working with parents like these? Share your advice, tips, or anecdotes in the form below or on Twitter with the hashtag #PrincipalSolutions. Your submission may be used in an upcoming Education Week story.
A form originally appeared on this page. It has been removed because we are no longer seeking submissions.
Related Reading
- Special Report: Inside the Principal-Teacher Relationship
- Feedback for Teachers: 8 Ways to Make It Meaningful and Low-Stress
Compiled by Lesli A. Maxwell
lllustrations by James Steinberg
A version of this article appeared in the October 16, 2019 edition of Education Week as Parent ‘Types’