Parent Groups On WhatsApp: 7 Recommendations

Current technological advances allow us to become increasingly involved in our children’s education. From platforms to view notes online to notifications about the latest news related to your studies, the Internet has arrived to revolutionize today’s education system.

However,  one of the most common new technological means that we can use to get involved in our children’s studies is parent groups on WhatsApp. Creating these groups allows us, as guardians of children, to be in contact with other parents, exchange opinions and knowledge about childcare, and feel more accompanied in this process.

On the other hand, in addition to all the advantages we can get with parent groups on WhatsApp, they can also create many complications if not used correctly.  Therefore, in this article, we will talk about the main secrets that must be followed in this type of group to extract their maximum potential from them.

Parent groups on WhatsApp: how to use them correctly?

The use of information technology requires prior preparation so that we can use it as effectively as possible. In the case of parent groups on WhatsApp, the most important recommendations are as follows:

• Maintain tolerance at all times.
• Express our ideas assertively.
• Collaborate with the rest of the parents.
• Use them as query tools.
• Use them as a complement to parenting meetings.
• Respect, at all times, teachers and experts.
• Do not use them as substitutes for attending college.

Let’s look at each one of them.

1- Maintain tolerance at all times

Just like our children’s classes,  parent groups on WhatsApp are formed by people of different beliefs, nationalities, ideas and customs. On these occasions, it is very easy for a conflict to arise and that it creates an unpleasant atmosphere with the rest of the parents present in the chat.

Therefore, in order to get the most out of this tool, it  is essential that we learn to be tolerant with people who have ideas that are different from ours.  On the other hand, if we detect any conflict between parents, it might be a good idea to be a mediator; in this way, the good climate of tolerance with the rest of the members can be recovered.

2- Express our ideas properly

Communication is not always easy when we are in a large group; if done in writing, it becomes something even more complicated. So if you want to get the most out of parent groups on WhatsApp, it  ‘s important that you communicate as effectively as possible.

For this, mastering skills such as assertiveness or active listening can be secrets for us to be able to create a pleasant atmosphere in this type of group. While it’s more complicated to get our ideas across in a medium where we can’t see the other person, with a little practice this is perfectly possible.

3- Collaborate with the rest of the parents

Parent groups on WhatsApp can be very useful tools, but only if the participants  agree on what they want to achieve  and work together to achieve it. So, if you want the experiment to work, you will have to establish a common goal and support the rest of the parents who are part of the group with you.

According to the systemic approach, to achieve better collaboration it is good to think of the group as if it had its own identity. When a conflict arises, ask yourself: what does our team need to function? The answers that come to your mind will help you create a collaborative atmosphere in a simpler way.

4- Use them as a query tool

Sometimes our kids forget what they have to do for the next class or don’t tell us about their grades, exam dates, and other important data. In this sense, high school parent groups can be a fundamental tool for keeping us up to date.

So do  n’t be afraid to ask the rest of the parents every time you have a question about your child’s chores,  or when you believe something important has happened that you want to discuss with others.

5- Use them as a complement to parent meetings

Communicating via WhatsApp is much more convenient than going to our children’s school, especially in today’s world where we are very busy. However,  chat groups should never be a substitute for face-to-face parent meetings.

In these meetings, everyone responsible for your child’s colleagues will have a voice, including those who do not have WhatsApp; and, in addition, you will be able to be in direct contact with those responsible for the school and have much more influence in your child’s education.

6- Respect, at all times, teachers and experts

Sometimes teachers are wrong and we may not agree with their way of teaching or delivering lessons, especially at a time when school failure is so high. However,  parent groups on WhatsApp should never be a way to complain about teachers. If you do, it is very easy for the complaint to reach the teachers’ ears and this has unpleasant consequences:

• Your child may learn your opinion of their teachers, causing them to lose respect for them and making it more difficult for them to teach correctly.
• The teachers themselves could find out about what you said, which would make it  difficult for you to communicate with them. This communication is essential for the proper teaching of your children.

If you have any complaints about your child’s teachers, it is best that you discuss them privately with those parents who are closest to you; or better yet, that you  communicate directly with the teacher or his superiors.  That way you can work things out instead of encouraging conflict.

7- Do not use them as substitutes for our presence at school

When we talk to other parents on a daily basis, it is very easy to get the feeling that we are very involved in the education of our children. However,  few things are as beneficial to this process as parent-student meetings.  As technology advances, online groups will never be able to replace them.

So,  whenever you can, ask for a meeting with your child’s teachers. That way you can get to know them, talk about the difficulties he faces, and learn more about what you can do to help educate him.