#1. When your child comes to you with various complaints, write them down.

#2. Write down concerns of your own as well.

#3. To make sure your conference is not rushed, pick a time to talk with the teacher that best fits both schedules.

#4. Be respectful. Try to stay on track with the allowed time for your assigned conference. If you decide you need more time, reschedule a time to talk with the teacher another day.

#5. Go in with a positive attitude.

#6. Do not blame anyone or anything for personal problems unless you are willing to hear the good, bad and the ugly. Stay calm and come up with a positive plan and goal.

#7. Your child's future will depend on you listening to their story and to the teacher's before forming an opinion or making any type of change. 

#8. Fill the teacher in on what you have seen in the past that has worked well for your child.

#9. Volunteer to help the teacher out in some capacity and get to know the classroom, schedule and children in the classroom environment.

#10. Don't be afraid to stand up for your child -- but do not blame others for his/her failure. Come up with a doable plan for success right along the side of the teacher and/or school.  Remember, everything the teacher discusses with you is written in a report and kept in your child's school folder which follows him from each grade.  In most states you can look at it, but you cannot have a copy.  It might be fun to challenge this and ask why.  Why not?  It's your child they are talking about.