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GUIDELINES FOR A SUCCESSFUL PARENT MEETING

Parent Networks build adult connections that offer support and help create a strong, unified adult voice to guide Brookline’s pre-teen and teen communities. These meetings can be casual open-ended gatherings discussing a wide range of topics suggested on the spot or can focus on a pre-determined issue of general interest. Regardless, here are a few guidelines to keep your meeting productive. (Print friendly PDF)

General Guidelines

·      Confidentiality – stress that what is said in the group stays in the group.

·      Help ensure that everyone feels they have the opportunity to talk without interruption.

·      Focus on sharing ideas that work, rather than complaining. Try to help generate positive solutions and strategies for parenting.

·      Respect differences in parenting styles and cultural traditions -- suggestions of alternative approaches are preferrable to criticisms of others’ parenting strategies.

·      Stay focused on the topic(s) at hand – avoid unproductive complaining.

·      Avoid side conversations, instead leaving time at the end for unstructured mingling.

·      Try to start and end on time, encouraging everyone to stay for the full meeting.

Ideas for Meeting Structure:

·      Check in – introduce yourselves, ID your children, perhaps say what issue is currently most on your mind

·      Consider passsing around a sign-in sheet with email/phone contact info for ease of communication

·      Read meeting guidelines (above)

·      Introduce chosen topic (if that has been decided) or open the floor for general concerns

·      Choose topic (s) for next time, if appropriate

·      Choose next meeting date/place, if not pre-determined

 B-PEN is part of the Prevention and Intervention Programs for Youth supported by the Brookline Department of Public Health and Public Schools of Brookline, with funding from the Brookline Community Foundation.