How to Make Sure Teachers Respect Your Parenting Approach

The first month of school has flown by in the blink of an eye but what really happened in those weeks of growth, patience, and parenting.

Those early days of new routines, teachers, and homework often feel like a whirlwind. Now that the dust is beginning to settle, it’s a good moment to pause and reflect on how your family is adjusting to the new rhythm.

If you’re reading this, chances are you’re a Conscious Parent committed to raising your kids with respect, communication, and active listening. Maybe you’ve joined us for the Parenting Reset or begun practicing the Guidance Approach to Parenting at home.

But here’s the bigger question: what happens when your child steps outside your family bubble? How do you explain the Guidance Approach to teachers, caregivers, or even grandparents who may not parent the way you do?

The adults in your child’s life don’t have to embrace your entire philosophy, but they do need to respect your choices as a parent.

How to Talk to Caregivers and Teachers About Your Parenting Style

Here are some conversation points you can use to set the tone:

• “I treat my kids with the respect every human being, regardless of age, deserves.”
  At its core, the Guidance Approach is about honoring children as whole people. Lead with this value in every discussion
• “We encourage self-direction instead of reward vs. punishment.”
  Explain that you focus on root causes and unmet needs rather than punishments. Encourage teachers to guide kids toward collaborative, self-directed resolutions.
• “We use acknowledgment rather than praise.”
  Praise creates dependency on others’ approval. Acknowledgment helps children connect to their own effort and growth. Instead of “You’re so smart,” try “I admire how hard you worked on that” or “You seem proud of yourself.”
• “I refrain from using negative adjectives to describe my kids.”
  Labels like spoiled or bad can wound self-esteem. Ask adults to describe behaviors, not identities.
• “Our children know when we talk down to them.”
  Kids pick up on tone and nuance. Remind caregivers to speak with respect, never in ways that diminish or marginalize them.
  

Why These Conversations Matter

It isn’t always easy to share your perspective with people who think differently. And shifting someone’s mindset doesn’t happen overnight. But these conversations set clear expectations for how your child should be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion.

As part of the Conscious Parenting Revolution, we know that children thrive when the adults in their lives respond to them with consistency and respect. When teachers, caregivers, and parents work together from the same understanding, children feel secure, valued, and supported.

And remember, you don’t have to navigate these conversations on your own. That is why we created the Family Lifeline Community, a safe and supportive space where conscious parents come together to share experiences, access tools, and receive ongoing guidance. Inside, you’ll find encouragement, practical strategies, and the reassurance that you are part of a global movement toward connection, not control.

Love and Blessings,

Katherine Sellery