Family engagement is critical to student success, but what happens when parents are overwhelmed by stress? According to the U.S. Surgeon General, parents today face significant pressures that affect their mental health and, by extension, their children’s well-being. Schools can play a key role in alleviating this stress while enhancing family engagement. Here’s how school leaders and educators can shape their strategies to create stronger partnerships with families, support parents, and ultimately help students thrive.
Parents today are balancing enormous responsibilities—managing finances, dealing with work stress, and raising children in an uncertain world. The U.S. Surgeon General reports that 41% of parents feel too stressed to function most days. This stress can lead to lower parental involvement in school activities, which negatively affects student performance and behavior. The data clearly shows that when parents are supported, children benefit. If we want to see a shift in how engaged parents are, schools must recognize the direct link between family well-being and student outcomes and take proactive steps to offer support.
1. Foster Open Communication About Mental Health
Schools should create spaces where parents feel comfortable discussing mental health concerns without stigma. Mental health has been something that folks have neglected to speak about for generations. Many of us weren't raised in an environment where mental health conversations were promoted. This is something that will have to be tackled if we want to see a change in attitudes towards supporting those with mental health challenges. The door to change can be opened by taking small steps. Hosting workshops on stress management or bringing in local mental health professionals can be a great way to start these conversations. Encouraging an open dialogue can help parents feel more supported and engaged.
2. Create Flexible Engagement Opportunities
Recognizing that many parents juggle busy and demanding schedules, schools should offer a variety of engagement opportunities, both virtual and in-person. Use surveys and candid conversations with parents to identify the best times for parent meetings or workshops. Providing child care or recording meetings for later viewing can further increase accessibility. Yes, this will require us to step outside of our comfort zones. But, you can't do the same old thing that you have been doing and expect different results.
3. Offer Resources for Financial and Emotional Support
Parents dealing with financial strain may struggle to engage in school activities. It can be difficult to show up to a PTA meeting when you're struggling to keep the lights on at home. Schools can serve as a bridge, connecting families with local services for financial aid, mental health support, food giveaways, and workshops on coping with stress. Consider hosting free webinars to teach parents how to manage stress and anxiety effectively.
Schools don’t need to tackle parental stress alone. Partnering with community organizations can provide much needed support for parents. Local nonprofits, mental health clinics, and religious groups can help schools offer parents free or affordable counseling, parenting workshops, and financial assistance programs. For example, collaborating with a community health clinic to provide on-site therapy information sessions for parents during parent-teacher conferences could make accessing mental health resources easier.
Acknowledge Parental Efforts
Parents want to be recognized for their contributions. Schools can create formal and informal ways to celebrate parental involvement, from personalized thank-you notes to hosting a Parent Appreciation Week event. Recognizing parents for their hard work helps build trust and encourages deeper engagement.
Offer Peer Support Networks
Facilitating connections between parents can reduce feelings of isolation. Schools can create parent groups or online forums where parents share experiences and advice. Hosting “parent cafes” or organizing informal gatherings, such as cafe meetups or coffee mornings, can help foster community and support.
Teachers are crucial advocates for parents. By regularly including resources for parental well-being in communications such as newsletters or during parent-teacher conferences, teachers can offer consistent support. For example, a teacher could send home information on local counseling services or a guide to managing family stress alongside academic progress reports. Building strong relationships with parents doesn’t just benefit students academically, it creates a supportive, cohesive environment where parents feel valued and empowered.
Use of School Platforms
Digital platforms offer schools powerful tools for engagement. Platforms like ClassDojo and Remind allow teachers and schools to send real-time updates about student progress and school activities. Using these tools to share mental health resources or provide digital counseling options can make parents feel supported and connected, even when their schedules don’t allow for in-person participation.
Create Mental Health Resource Hubs
Schools can create online resource hubs where parents can access mental health tools, local service listings, and stress-management tips. Offering a centralized digital space ensures parents have access to the help they need whenever they’re ready to engage.
The U.S. Surgeon General’s report highlights the critical need for schools to prioritize family engagement by addressing parental stress. By creating a supportive, flexible, and resource-rich environment, schools can help parents feel empowered, and in turn, students will benefit. Stronger family engagement isn’t just about academic success, it’s about building healthier, happier communities.
Schools can start today by opening up conversations about mental health, partnering with community organizations, and using technology to make resources more accessible. Together, schools and families can foster a culture of care where everyone thrives.