When Parents Feel Powerless: How Schools Can Rebuild Trust

Many parents don’t feel like partners—they feel like outsiders.

They get called when there’s a problem, not when there’s progress. They hear about rules, not relationships. And when they try to advocate, they often feel dismissed.

Trust isn’t built with newsletters. It’s built with listening. It’s built with empathy. And it’s built over time.

Schools must create space for parents to be heard—not just informed. To be part of solutions—not just recipients of policies.

When parents feel empowered, the whole school benefits.