1. Don’t Assume - The best way to make sure your message is reaching parents, is to make sure you are actually providing what they need and want to hear. If you are presenting on topics like substance abuse, sex education or bullying be sure your message is tailored to your audience. If you have parents with middle school age children the message will be different than what parents of teens or elementary age children would need to hear. On the same note, don’t make assumptions about their children or family life — they maybe there because they are concerned their child is involved in something, or they just maybe there for information and to learn what is facing children today. You are there to guide parents to help their children. 

2. Don’t Lecture -  Your message should be interesting and timely. Include personal stories, descriptions and examples go a lot further than a lecture on what they should or should not be doing. Every child is different, every parenting style is different and providing information and examples without a lecture will go a long way. Your presentation materials should be clear and concise. Know your material well and present them in a non confrontational, helpful manner. 

3. Bring in the Kids - A great way to teach parents how to deal with tough topics that concern their children. Is to hear it straight from another child. Listening to a teen tell a room full of parents what they dealt with and saw in middle school or a college aged student talk frankly about high school, will help parents break the “not my child” mindset. Tough topics affect all children, in multiple ways. Hearing a teen say - I was popular, I was friendly and I was a bully in middle school- will help parents understand that children have lives outside of their homes and maybe dealing with issues they don’t know about. 

4. They Need Help - Most parents realize they are in over their heads at some point while raising their children. If they are sitting in front of you, they realize they need help. Either help in understanding topics that may face their children, or help in dealing with something they fear their child is involved in already. Bombarding parents with a ton of information and leaving them more confused with how to help their child, is not what they came for. Make sure your presentation is aimed at providing information and solutions to their problems. Make sure you allow them to ask questions and be prepared for answers. If you can’t answer their concern, be honest with them and tell them you don’t know but will find out and provide contact information to address their concerns. 

5. Leave them With Something - Providing pamphlets, cards, contact information or a promotional item will help parents retain the information you shared and remind them how to talk to their children when the topics arise.

We offer presentation displays with bold images and graphics, pamphlets, presentation cards, and promotional items in a wide variety of topics that effect teenagers. Each presentation display comes with a presenter’s guide with valuable information and tips on how to expand your presentation, and we have a line of pamphlets designed and written with parents in mind.