“How do we deal with parents that might have good intentions but they are overly interested in what's going on? And how do you deal with parents that feel that their kid isn't getting a fair shake in your classroom?” – Dr. Renton Rathbun

“Your work as a teacher is to mentor these parents to become partners." – Dr. Renton Rathbun

Teaching would be great if there were no ... what? While hopefully no teacher would say “students,” many might think “parents” when facing challenging family dynamics. But the reality is that parents are meant to be our greatest partners in education, not our biggest obstacles.

Dr. Renton Rathbun returns to help teachers understand and connect with today's parent generation – primarily millennials, who now represent the majority of school families. As both a college professor and a parent himself, Renton shares what makes this generation tick and how their upbringing impacts their approach to their children's education.

During this episode, Jenny and Renton discuss the shifts that have occurred in parent-teacher relationships, moving from a time when parents automatically sided with teachers to today's reality where teachers often feel under scrutiny from well-meaning but highly involved parents.

You'll discover key characteristics of millennial parents, including:

• How growing up as “digital natives” affects their communication styles and expectations
• Why technology has rewired their brains and changed how they process authority
• How dynamics within the home affect how the parent shows up at school
• Why instant gratification culture has affected their persistence and “grit"”

Renton provides practical strategies for teachers, such as how to shift conversations from immediate outcomes to life principles and how to leverage technology and social media for positive connection rather than avoiding it.

Whether you're struggling with helicopter parents, dealing with authority challenges, or simply wanting to build stronger partnerships with families, this episode provides biblical wisdom and practical strategies for connecting with today's parent generation.

Resources Mentioned:

• Paul Tripp Ministries parenting courses (free online with study guides)
• The Renton Rathbun Show podcast (focused on helping parents navigate worldview challenges)

About Our Guest Dr. Renton Rathbun has been a college professor for over 25 years, teaching at both secular and Christian institutions. He frequently speaks on biblical worldview and apologetics topics. He holds a Bachelor of Science in English Education, MA in Interpretive Speech, MFA in Creative Writing, MA in Philosophy, Master of Theology, and PhD in Apologetics. Renton is also the host of The Renton Rathbun Show, a podcast designed to help parents understand the worldviews targeting their children and how to respond biblically. As both an educator and a parent, he brings a unique perspective to the challenges of parent-teacher partnerships in today's culture.

Sponsored By Now, more than ever, children need a learning experience that enables them to think critically, advances them academically, and encourages them to live biblically. BJU Press serves Christian educators with academically rigorous resources written from a biblical worldview to prepare the next generation to be salt and light in society. We are committed to doing everything we can so Christian education can do everything it must. Visit our website today or contact your Territory Manager to learn more. [bjupress.com]

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