ABSTRACT: Even in the closest of school communities there is a latent fear that infects the working relationship between parents and teachers. Parents can come to school conferences feeling amateurish, anxious and exposed. Teachers often feel devalued and defensive and they experience parents as potential critics. In a talk filled with humorous anecdotes, Dr. Thompson describes the seven fears on each side of the parent-teacher equation and gives suggestions to both teachers and parents that will help them improve their communication. Better relationships between teachers and parents improves the education of children, because children thrive emotionally and are in less conflict about school when the adults in their lives are in agreement about them.