This is a global situation, not specific to any particular culture or country. It is important to accept that parents have access to child development information, to best practices in education information, to “how to be a good parent” information, to “how to deal with children’s behaviours” information, etc., etc. How can we help them focus on their children and not on their phones/devices? Knowing that parents are over-loaded with parenting information, try something different. Offer information at school at a time that will not necessitate parents having to pick up their children, take them home, prepare their dinner (or pick up fast food on the way home), return to the school for an information session. 

Even with the best intentions of attending the offering, parents often are energy-drained at the end of a long day. Instead offer to host something at the “closure time” of the school.  One or several of the staff could be paid to look after the children, freeing parents to attend the session. 

Dinner would be served to the children so that parents could be freed of that activity. Or children could prepare a simple meal, invite the parents to join them and then the parents can go to the evening session. This session would need to be no more than one hour so that the children can arrive home for bedtime.

We have to be aware, be sensible about what parents can handle in their normal day. We do want parents to be aware of the Montessori approach to education so that the child’s enrollment is based on knowledge – not just on convenience. We must choose a topic of interest – something for the entire school community or something age-level specific. When we focus on age-level information, parents with children in different age levels are having to make a choice about which presentation to attend.

Additionally, we can post information – short but to-the-point reads – that parents can access in their own time. Be aware of setting unrealistic standards, of appearing to be judgmental about parenting styles. Do be clear in all communication that although Montessori is appropriate for all children, it is not appropriate for all family values. There must be enough alignment with values of the school and family that children are not “caught” between two value systems.