I feel so horrible that your team is having to go through because it is a difficult postion to be in. I agree with what CrazyBear said about Honesty being the best policy. I also agree that the TEAM should try and talk to these parents.

I am assuming that the parents are only one set of parents and not the entire group of adult parent leaders on your team but if that is incorrect, I am sorry and my help may not be as much help. Although I have never experienced this situtition on my own robotics team, I have experienced it in a different orginazation.

For the most part, parents tend NOT to listen to students when they try and correct a problem as this. This has nothing to do with the student really but rather the expectations parents have on teenagers in general. It would be best to involve another adult, prefarablly someone a little older then the parents themselves. At a young age we are talk to respect our elders and it tends to be true, even at 40-50 years of age. Parents usually tend to listen to someone who is either their age and that they respect, or a little older then them and they respect. Your words will be heard a lot better.

Do not gang up on the parents. I doubt they honestly mean to make it all about their son and I doubt they really see what they are doing. They are proud of their son and they are proud of what they are doing. They more then likely think they are helping. Parents tend to be like this. Talking to the parents one-on-one or in a small group is the best way to handle it. If you gang up on them, they are going to get defensive and at that point, they are not going to listen to you.

Let them tell their side of the story. Maybe they see things differently then you. Maybe they yell when other students tell other students to do something because they feel that you are being too bossy or overbearing or hazzing the students instead of trying to help. If that is the case, explain to them what you are doing. Parents are human and because of that, they aren't perfect. They are only going to react to what they "think" is going on, whether that's what is going on or not.

I am not sure what decisions are being made without the students being involved but I must point out that sometimes, that's the way things have to be. Students do not always have all the answers (even though we like to think we do) and they are just trying to help you. They are there for you guys because they love and care about you. They may be making decisions without you because they know in their hearts, that's what is best for you. Now, I might suggest that you talk to them about this and ask them why that decision is made and try and have an honest, open communication with them about it.

Do not...and I repeat...DO NOT whine, cry, beg, plead..etc...if you don't get your way. They are not going to listen to you and in the end, you are only hurting yourself. Talking about it in a calm and rational way is the only way that things will change.

If you do all this and nothing changes, I would suggest talking to your leader. If these people are your leaders, try talking to whoever is above them. If there is no one above them, talk to someone at FIRST. I am sure that if you keep talking, someone will listen and take notice.

I hope this helps.