Working with Parents and Guardians

Most parents and guardians are helpful and supportive and sincerely appreciate your time and effort on behalf of their daughters. And you almost always have the same goal, which is to make Girl Scouting an enriching experience for their girls. Encourage them to check out www.girlscouts4girls.org to find out how to expand their roles as advocates for their daughters.

Using “I” Statements

As you know, however, families today are terribly busy—parents and guardians may want to be involved but may sometimes need a reminder or specific guidelines. Perhaps the most important tip for communicating with parents/guardians is for you to use “I” statements instead of “you” statements. “I” statements tell a parent what you need from her or him, while “you” statements may make a parent/guardian feel defensive.

Here are some examples of “you” statements:

• “Your daughter just isn’t responsible.”
• “You’re not doing your share.”

Now look at “I” statements:

• “I’d really like to help your daughter learn to take more responsibility.”
• “I’d appreciate it if you could help me with registration.”

How to Communicate Troop Needs to Parents

If a Parent or Guardian... 

Is uninvolved and asks how she can help but seems to have no idea of how to follow through or take leadership of even the smallest activity

You can say... 

“I do need your help. Here are some written guidelines on how to prepare for our camping trip.”

If a Parent or Guardian... 

Constantly talks about all the ways you could make the group better

You can say... 

 “I need your leadership. Project ideas you would like to develop and lead can fit in well with our plan. Please put your ideas in writing, and perhaps I can help you carry them out.”

If a Parent or Guardian... 

 Tells you things like, “Denise’s mother is on welfare, and Denise really doesn’t belong in this group,” 

You can say... 

 “I need your sensitivity. Girl Scouting is for all girls, and by teaching your daughter to be sensitive to others’ feelings you help teach the whole group sensitivity.”

If a Parent or Guardian... 

 Shifts parental responsibilities to you and is so busy with her own life that she allows no time to help

You can say... 

 “I love volunteering for Girl Scouts and want to make a difference. If you could take a few moments from your busy schedule to let me know what you value about what we’re doing, I’d appreciate it. It would keep me going for another year.”

No matter what, remember that the girl and the parents are intregal to making the troop run smoothly. 

Teamwork divides the task and doubles the success.

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