Wednesday, June 21, 2006
Only One Teacher To Talk To
Dear Guidance Guy,
I am having some issues with these girls in school. But I can only talk to one teacher.
Stephanie
*****
Dear Stephanie,
Actually, there are lots of people you can talk to. The principal is one person. Your parents are two others. The girls themselves are still more. Saying you can only talk to one person puts you in a box and doesn't give you too many choices. You want more options, not fewer.
See if there is a way to have a mediation. Talk with your teacher, or school counselor or someone else and ask if they would be in the room while you talk with the girls. Part of what needs to happen is you telling them what's bothering you. Another thing that needs to happen is you listening to what they have to say - without interrupting or disagreeing. And finally, you need to come to a solution that all of you can live with.
Most of the time these situations work out, as long as everyone treats everyone else with respect. You don't have to like them and they don't have to like you. You just have to learn to live with each other.
Thanks for writing,
The Guidance Guy
I am having some issues with these girls in school. But I can only talk to one teacher.
Stephanie
*****
Dear Stephanie,
Actually, there are lots of people you can talk to. The principal is one person. Your parents are two others. The girls themselves are still more. Saying you can only talk to one person puts you in a box and doesn't give you too many choices. You want more options, not fewer.
See if there is a way to have a mediation. Talk with your teacher, or school counselor or someone else and ask if they would be in the room while you talk with the girls. Part of what needs to happen is you telling them what's bothering you. Another thing that needs to happen is you listening to what they have to say - without interrupting or disagreeing. And finally, you need to come to a solution that all of you can live with.
Most of the time these situations work out, as long as everyone treats everyone else with respect. You don't have to like them and they don't have to like you. You just have to learn to live with each other.
Thanks for writing,
The Guidance Guy
