Q: What are Parent Discussion Groups?

A: Parent Discussion Groups are a chance for parents of children in a specific grade in a specific school to get together to share information and concerns about their children. We feel these Discussion Groups provide a setting for open and productive communication between parents.

Q: What Happens at a Discussion Group?

A: Parents meet to share their experiences, questions, concerns, and suggestions regarding parenting a child at a particular age. There is no pre-arranged agenda; parents bring up topics of current interest to them. Although some topics commonly occur at specific ages (e.g. play dates in kindergarten, walking home alone in 6th grade, curfews in 9th grade), parents are free to choose any topic. Sometimes a class decides to meet in order to address a specific incident or a situation of concern to several parents - issues like cliques, bullies, or dating.

Q: How can I organize a Parent Discussion Group in my school?

A: The best way is to contact the NYC-Parents in Action Representative at your school. You can find the Representative through your school's Parent Association. The Rep will contact Parents in Action to set a date and time for the meeting.

Q: Who Attends the Discussion Group?

A: Parents and Facilitators attend Discussion Groups; school administrators are not present. At the opening of the meeting, the Facilitator will specify that this is a forum for discussing social, developmental, and parenting issues. (Parents are advised to take any academic concerns directly to the school. School-related issues are never discussed during a parent discussion group.) Parents are advised to refrain from discussing school policy. Facilitators are there only to guide the conversation.

Q: When Do Discussion Groups Meet?

A: We encourage parents to start meeting in kindergarten. It takes time to create an environment of trust in which parents feel comfortable conferring with one another. Parents are more open to communicating if they start talking before problems arise. Most classes have one facilitated Discussion Group a year, although two can be arranged.

Q: We have so many social functions at our school, all the parents know one another already. Why do we need a parent discussion group meeting?

A: It's wonderful to be in a school that has a social awareness. It benefits the children in so many ways. However, the parent discussion meeting is an opportunity to bypass the socializing and spend an hour and a half focused on the business of parenting.

Q: Why can't we just meet on our own? Why do we need Parents in Action involved?

A: It's great for parents to get together socially. Having a professionally trained Facilitator from NYC-Parents in Action attend the meeting has several advantages. The Facilitator is there to keep the discussion going, and to keep it on track. He or she allows for the inclusion of all points of view so that no individual opinion dominates. The Facilitator's presence enables the class parent to participate in the meeting rather than having to run the meeting.

Q: Why can't we just hire an expert?

A: You can certainly organize your class and invite an expert to come speak to them on parenting. NYC-Parents in Action also organizes seminars throughout the year. The Parent Discussion Group, however, is a completely different experience. This facilitated meeting is your opportunity to speak to the other parents in your child's class. It is a chance to gather information, share experiences, and support one another in a safe, confidential environment.