FAHA: Overbearing parents

[Aaron Lussier]

Quite the predicament your team is in, If I was in your situation this is how I would approach it:

1. Hold a mandantory All-Hands meeting, address the situation head on, this will require someone to stand in front of the entire team and the parents and say what needs to be said. If all can be resolved from talking about it with the entire team thats wonderful, if it can't however...

2. Search the FIRST site, and other FIRST sites i.e. Chief Delphi for Quotes that you belive embody the spirit of FIRST, try to show these parents that it is not just about there kid succeding, it is about the ENTIRE team working as a TEAM. If they still dont get it...

3. Begin looking for new mentors and parents to help out, If these parents and there child can not grasp the simple concept of Working together and teamwork, then in my opinion they dont deserve to be on a FIRST team. I realize this last step is extremely drastic, but if they dont get it... they dont get it.

I hope this helps, and remember when you are talking to them, maintain a calm demeanor, if they begin yelling or screaming simply ask them to calm down so you may finish what you are talking about. If need be talk directly to them when addressing the problem.

-Aaron