Dealing with over-enthusiastic parents and spectators

[El Orans]

Non-Instructors can add their comments here:
Dealing with over-enthusiastic parents and spectators - The Parent's Perspective

[SharkDiver36]

It's really quite simple.

1) You don't mix students with non-students.
2) You keep BASIC students separate from other certifications.
3) Liability - you have to help a diver and end up turning your attention away from your students and something happens - you'll be crucified in court.
4) In MOST cases I split parent/kid up so they aren't buddies in the class.

AOW, Rescue, Master, DM...who cares - they are certified divers who know the risks, understand the basic principles of diving and have are DIVERS just going for a higher cert. I treat these students a lot differently than I do BASIC students.

A parent who isn't a student and taking the same class as the "kid" is simply NOT allowed in the water. I allow ZERO exceptions. The parent is more than welcome to watch and stay dry but I do not permit them in the water.

A parent who is taking the same class and tries to "teach" their kid, regardless of the level of certification (both taking advanced diver, both taking OW, etc.), I pull the parent aside and put as polite but as blunt as possible and I usually do it something like this... - "How can I pass your kid for this course if you do it for them? I won't.".

Yes, it's a bit harsh, but that's reality. I can't honestly evaluate their performance if they aren't the ones doing it. If the parent continues to interfere, than they won't pass the course and I make sure the parents know it.

As for the "help"....it's easy...they won't help anymore - ever - at least not with me. I'm not a dictator, I'm not a jerk, but the bottom line as instructors he or she is 100% responsible for everything always and forever when working with students. If you have a DM or AI who constantly miss-speaks, I tell them like it is - you're done assisting me. I value the DM's and AI's work with, I know that in a lot of cases the students will go them for help, not me - but I also trust my DM's and AI's will tell me, or send the students to me if they need to get an answer for something. A DM/AI needs to let the Instructor know if someone is "clueless" about a subject or "scared" versus them clarifying something, or giving an opinion on something - it's about safety. Good DM's/AI's understand the difference and know when they should or shouldn't tell the student to see the instructor.

The problem is telling them all of this UP FRONT. Manage their expectations before the class starts, not after. In all the years of teaching I've only had ONE time where the parent put up a fight and argued with me and the logic behind why I don't allow parents in the water with their kids.

I can't control what the parent "expert" tells, shows, or advises their kid to do on their own but I sure can when they are MY student under MY supervision when I'M accountable for their safety; this isn't even a discussion in my book and shouldn't be.

[Trainwreck]

I agree with most of these posts. The way I handle it is this. Usually the parent/significant other will ask if it's okay if they attend class to watch. I always say the same thing. "I would love to have you join the class as long as you understand one thing. I am the teacher and you cannot teach or talk to your child/wife/other while I am teaching. If you interrupt my class or make it difficult for anyone else to learn, I will ask that you leave. As long as you understand that, please join us. I rarely have any issues.

[JerseyMike]

Your comments please?

I would pull him aside and would tell him that "I appreciate his help but I need
for him to not get involved in the teaching....that he has great ideas but he is confusing things..." I would say this in a very friendly manner.

[Islandheart]

I must agree with the majority or posts here, Trainwreck hit it pretty good. I like some others here, will even split up parents, husbands/wife teams and others, so as to make learning for the group as a whole better.

Once they come back together, they find out how much more they learned on their own.