When a parent arrives for a teacher-parent conference, show him you care about his child's academic success. Encourage him to see things intellectually rather than emotionally. Remember, “Parents who love too much are… unstoppable when it comes to their kids,” warn therapists Laurie Ashner and Mitch Meyerson in their book When Parents Love Too Much. “They have an insatiable desire to protect their children.” When a parent rushes in like a lion, use your genius to persuade him to depart like a lamb. Remember, lion tamers must control events.

When the parent arrives for a conference, let him speak first. He may ramble about the alleged offenses you've perpetrated, but as long as he's not yelling or threatening, let him speak. Remember, your job is to serve the public — even the guy sitting before you, yakking about how unfair you are. Once he finishes, respond as calmly as possible. Explain that your only objective is to make sure his child and your entire class receives a proper education, and that you won't let the student waste instructional time daydreaming or disrupting. Praise the student's innate intelligence and add that you have total faith in his ability to excel magnificently.

However, you must also politely detail the student's misbehavior; then reiterate how intelligent he is. Ask the parent to talk to the student daily, reinforcing the necessity of paying attention and earning the highest possible grades. End the conference on a positive note. If you do these things, you might turn an incoming lion into an outgoing lamb.