How can I build relationships with parents and carers who I don't see?
Session 2.1 · Note 2
Connecting with Parents You Don’t See
If you run a youth group or a club in school, for example, you might never or rarely see the parents and carers. Or you may have children who come to your groups with a childminder or grandparent.
Even though we don't see those parents and carers, it's important to try to grow relationships with them so we can start to encourage them that they are part of their kids' journeys of faith and give them opportunities to engage with us.
Key Ideas
- Try to be present to say hello. If you have parents and carers who drop off and pick up, can you be there? Session 2 part 2 will give you ideas.
- When you communicate with parents and carers, invite them to get in touch if they'd like to know more about what you are doing. Session 3 part 1 will give you ideas about this.
- Invite parents and carers in - to stay for some or all of the session, or run termly or annual events like a show and tell of what the kids have done, or a family end of year barbeque.
Top Tips
- Offer parents and carers dropping off a drink and a place to sit while the group is on.
- Know that building relationships can take years. Keep smiling and chatting.
- Keep offering opportunities to chat or come to things even if you don't get a response.
- Invite them to join a WhatsApp group so you can update them on session times, invite them to things, and give them information.
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