You have only days to get ready for the most important five minutes you'll get with your child's teacher.

First, relax. So says Marjorie Hancock, professor of elementary education at Kansas State University in Kansas.

“A lot of parents didn’t enjoy school,” says Hancock who’s a former schoolteacher and parent.  “You want to leave behind any negative feelings you had about school as a child.”

And you want to prepare.

Hancock says dads attending parent-teacher conferences should look for a child’s strengths, weaknesses and ways to help their child improve.

Hancock’s Top 10 on how to make a conference successful:

1. Arrive on Time-It sends the message that you care.
2. Make a List-So you don’t forget to relay concerns and ask key questions.
3. Be Ready to Listen-Your child may be different at home than at school.  You may be surprised at what you hear.
4. Don’t be Defensive-Parents need to focus on how to help their child rather than being defensive.
5. Ask for Examples-Don’t be afraid to ask teachers give examples.
6. Discuss Strengths-It’s not all about bad things. It’s also a chance to build on the positives.
7. Ask What You Can Do-Teachers can only do so much.  Find out what you can do at home to support the learning.
8. Help Set Goals-Find two to four goals for the child to achieve.
9. Share the Learning-Tell your child what the teacher reported to you.  Hold a child/parent conference.
10. Give a Hug-As the parent you are the most important person in your child’s life.  Give your child a hug of reassurance.

Though more often than not it’s moms who attend conferences, some schools like Northside Elementary in Cabot, AR have adjusted the times of the conferences so more dads can attend.

“I am impressed when dads attend conferences,” says Sharon Thompson who teaches 3^rd grade at Northside.  She says holding conferences from 1pm- 8pm has made a real difference. “The added benefit is seeing more dads.”