Finding Common Ground: Building Consensus with Families in Conflict
Effective collaboration with families doesn’t always mean agreement — it means
working through differences with respect, transparency, and a shared focus on the
student.
5 Practical Tips for Navigating Conflict with Families
1. Listen Actively: Before responding, ensure the family feels heard. Use affirming
language like, ‘I understand this is frustrating.’
2. Assume Positive Intent: Recognize that families are advocating for their child out of
love and concern. Respond without defensiveness.
3. Clarify and Restate: Rephrase concerns to confirm understanding: ‘So you’re
concerned that…’ This shows empathy and builds trust.
4. Invite Partnership: Ask, ‘How do you think we can work together to solve this?’ This
empowers families as part of the solution.
5. Follow Up Promptly: Document agreements and send a follow-up email to reinforce
transparency and commitment.
Bonus Strategy: Bring in a Neutral Facilitator
If collaboration has broken down, consider involving a trained mediator, school
psychologist, or family liaison to help rebuild trust.
Adapted from family engagement and conflict resolution strategies used in inclusive
school settings.