tuff parents on a tour
When you know the parents are not happy with their child's choice in attending your school. How do you get them to see the benefit of it?
I find that including the parent with every step of the enrollment process will allow us to address any concerns they may have. During the initial interview it is important to give them time to discuss their concerns and what exactly they were looking for that was not a match for what the student wanted. Then ensure the student is able to speak out on their reasons why they are making a decision contrary to the parents. I find that creating an environment where the student and parent can have an honest discussion can promote understanding and compromise. I make it clear that I am here to provide tools so the student can make an informed decision about the next step not to pressure them into an enrollment and that the parent should be supportive bull all in all it has to be the student's decision that they are making for their own reasons.
Joralee,
This is a great question! How would the rest of you address this situation?
Dr. Jean Norris
How about if we reverse the situation, where in the student is unhappy in attending your school because it's only the parents' choice?
All great practices Marisela, thanks for sharing.
Dr. Jean Norris
i've always found a way to help encourage a students outlook on school is to include them in events around school. Choose them to be one of the volnteers at a peo rally. Choose them to be one of your safety guarde for school. Make them feel like they are important. We use this aproach with kids with disablilities and it seems to work very well. When the child is smiling or tells the parent what wonderful things they did at school that day, it'll definitely make the parent think about the school more possitively.
You bring up a good point Iza. We can provide all the attributes and benefits we can think of but if we don't confirm that the parents' concerns have been addressed we can miss an opportunity. Besides confirming that their concerns have been met, what can you do to ease a parent's fears during the visit?
Asking and listening very carefully to their concerns allows me to utilize the school's attributes and do my best for them to see how these attributes will benefit their child's needs. Having them go through the important schools facts with tools to prove allows them to satisfied. It is important however, to confirm with them if their concern has been addressed.
I always encourage younger students to bring their parents with them to their appointment. I will address the parents concerns and be very open and honest with them to help put their minds at ease.
Sergio, thanks for sharing your thoughts here. Yes, this can be a way for you to understand where the parents are coming from. I wonder, how has this method worked for you in the past?
Dr. Jean Norris
First you acknowledge their concerns, provide any logical and emotional response and then continue to ask questions. Address the the challenge and be proactive.
I open with questions what might bother them and then show them resources and material that would answer their concerns.
Depending on the needs of the student, and after applying global listening skills, I would explain the attributes of the school the student has chosen, and how it benefits the need of the student.
Laura you bring up an important point, it's not only the student that could have resistance and objections. Taking the time to work with both the student and the parent at the beginning allows both to develop a relationship that could help the student successfully complete their education at your institution if it is the right fit for them.
I always speak with the parent to get a recommendation from them for the student to attend our school (either in the initial appointment, follow up visit for the parent or over the phone if the parent is out of town). This gives the parent a chance to speak honestly about their child, and lets them know that I am very interested in what they have to say. I can also try to overcome objections with them and help them understand how I see the education will benefit the student.
I invite them in for an appointment to go over things exactly how I did for the potential student. I also give them a tour so they can meet our instructors and see the quality of education and support the student would be getting.
I acknowledge their concerns and then counter them with facts. I let the facts speak for themselves. I don't give them a hard sales pitch but present things in an honest and positive light.
