It’s never easy getting called into school because of your child’s behavior. As a parent, it can feel frustrating, embarrassing, or even unfair. But in those moments, the most powerful and productive question a parent can ask is:

“What can I do to help correct my child’s behavior or misconduct?”

Unfortunately, that’s not always where the conversation begins.

Too often, the immediate response is to blame:

“It’s the teacher’s fault.”

“The school isn’t doing enough.”

“It’s the other kids who started it.”

“There’s always more to the story.”

And sure, sometimes there is more to the story. Schools aren’t perfect. Teachers and staff are human. Other students can provoke or escalate situations. But even when all of that is true, our responsibility as parents is to be part of the solution, not to look for a way out of it.

Building a Culture of Accountability at Home

One of the most important things a parent can do—long before any disciplinary meeting happens—is to make conversations about behavior and expectations a normal, everyday occurrence.

That means talking to your child about:

• How we treat people, even when we’re upset.
  
• The importance of honesty, effort, and respect.
  
• Taking ownership of our actions—especially when it’s hard.
  
• Making mistakes and learning from them.
  

These aren’t one-time talks after something has gone wrong. These are values that get built day by day, through conversations around the dinner table, in the car after practice, or before bed. They grow in how we model behavior ourselves as adults.

Rules and Values Matter

Some of this comes down to a simple truth: households need rules. Not just about chores or screen time, but about how we live and treat each other. What do you stand for as a family? What are the non-negotiables?

We don’t see this as often anymore. Too many families are stretched thin, and it’s tempting to let screens, sports, or school handle the heavy lifting when it comes to teaching values. But kids thrive on structure and clarity. They need to know where the lines are—and what happens when those lines are crossed.

Having clear values at home gives kids something to carry with them when they leave the house and enter the classroom, the sports field, the workplace, or the wider world.

The School-Home Partnership

When schools and families work together, kids do better. Period. That means both sides listening to one another, showing mutual respect, and staying focused on what’s best for the student—not just in the moment, but long-term.

So the next time a behavior issue arises, and you’re called in to speak with a teacher, counselor, or administrator, take a breath and start with the right question:

“What can I do to help support my child’s growth?”

It’s not about blame. It’s about partnership. And when we approach discipline with a commitment to growth, responsibility, and shared values, our children—and our communities—become stronger for it.