You and your student may not always see eye-to-eye on certain things. Politics, diversity, religion—there are any number of hot-button topics that can start a verbal tussle. With Election Day coming around this month, it's a good reminder that these disagreements can actually be good for your parent/student relationship.

The key is agreeing to disagree in a respectful, open-minded manner. You can do that by:

• Engaging. Let your student know that, just because you have had differences in opinion before, you're still very interested in hearing what she has to say about things. Don't avoid the tough topics.
• Listening. Allow your student to say his piece, without interrupting to inject your opinion. Sometimes just knowing that you're being listened to makes all the difference in the world.
• Keeping an open mind. We can all change our minds once we hear the facts—or those facts can clarify a pre-existing opinion. It's all part of being a growing, engaged human being.
• Not taking differences in opinion personally. If your student takes a different stance than you do, it's not because she hates you or disrespects you. It's likely because she has had experiences that have led her to form a different opinion. It's really not about you.
• Sharing your pride. The fact that your student is an independent, critical thinker, no matter his opinion, can be a source of great pride. Don't forget to praise your student for his abilities and his curiosity.

Having an intentional discussion about agreeing to disagree is an important step in developing an adult relationship with your student. Let the conversations begin!

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