7 Principles for Making School-Family Relationships Work

What does a thriving marriage have to do with running a Catholic school? More than you might think! In this episode, Dr. Jaime Madison Vasquez draws on the landmark relationship research of John Gottman to offer Catholic school leaders a practical, mission-rooted framework for building deep, lasting partnerships with the families they serve.The Seven Principles:* Create Shared Meaning* Get to Know Your Families* Nurture Your Appreciation* Turn Toward Each Other Instead of Away* Let Your Families Influence You* Solve Your Solvable Problems* Welcome Problem SolvingWhat We Cover:* Why John Gottman’s marriage research is one of the most powerful lenses available for understanding school-family dynamics* The four pillars of shared meaning and how rituals, roles, goals, and values translate directly into school community life* How to build habits of appreciation that counteract criticism and contempt before they take root* Practical strategies for turning toward families, even across the asynchronous gap of newsletters, emails, and drop-off lines* How to distinguish solvable problems from perpetual conflicts and approach both with mission-grounded wisdomQ&A:* How do we avoid falling into defensiveness when a parent comes to us already upset or critical?* If a parent rarely responds to communication, how should we interpret that? And what do we do?* Advice for new teachers who are nervous about dealing with parents* What are small ways teachers can show appreciation to parents without it becoming another big task?Chapters:* 00:02: Welcome and Introduction* 02:20: Why Gottman’s Marriage Research Applies to Schools* 07:08: Principle 1: Create Shared Meaning* 11:44: Principle 2: Get to Know Your Families* 16:29: Principle 3: Nurture Your Appreciation* 21:14: Principle 4: Turn Toward Each Other* 30:44: Principle 5: Let Your Families Influence You* 35:08: Principle 6: Solve Your Solvable Problems* 41:29: Principle 7: Welcome Problem Solving* 48:31: Listener Q&AResources Mentioned:* Gottman Institute* The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert by John M. Gottman, PhD and Nan Silver — (Amazon | Bookshop | Abe Books)* Join the conversation: leave a comment and subscribe: familiaris.substack.com* Get in touch: [email protected] or reply to the newsletter to submit a question for a future Q&A segment* Visit familiaris-consulting.com to learn more about consulting services and schedule a free consultation with JaimeGod bless!Produced by Saint Kolbe Studios Get full access to Familiaris at familiaris.substack.com/subscribe