I’ve been a therapist for 25 years and I’m also a mom of three kids in university.
I’ve sat on both sides of the table — as a professional and as a parent trying to advocate for my child.
And I know this feeling well: You walk in hoping it goes well… and walk out thinking of everything you wish you had said.
These tools are what I wish I had back then. They would have helped me:
Say what actually mattered instead of freezing or over-explaining
Stay calm when things got tense or dismissive
Leave with clear next steps instead of vague reassurances
Build better collaboration with teachers instead of feeling like I had to fight or back down
This is the thing I wish I had before every school meeting I’ve ever had.