Why Parent and Couples Education?

With a focus on prevention, parent and couples education builds on a family’s strengths rather than its deficits. You are treated as partners and co-facilitators, complimenting the guidance and support of the family life educator. The goal of parent and couple’s education is to foster the optimal development of children as well as empower you to seek opportunities that will allow all family members to achieve their potential.

Parent and couples education provides a comfortable, non-judgmental, Christian setting for you to discuss family issues with like-minded couples. Most people who attend parenting and couples classes are not in crisis—they are interested in being the best parent and mate they can be for all of their children.

I strive to help through Biblical based instruction to:
· Improve, enrich and strengthen family relationships
· Increase knowledge of child development, typical behaviors of children and to set realistic expectations
· Learn a variety of positive discipline techniques
· Promote healthy communications
· Gain support from others for those everyday challenges
· Find opportunities for self-growth and self-awareness
· Exchange information with others who have experienced similar concerns
· Feel encouraged to make choices and changes that are best for their family.

Parent and couples education benefits all families, making a life-long difference for all family members.


Class Descriptions

Establishing Authority or How to be a Consistent and Effective Parent
Our goal in parenting is not to control our children, but rather to help our children become responsible individuals who can regulate their own behavior and who have a healthy respect for rules and authority. This class will focus on parenting styles, how to handle the testing of limits by children and how to recognize that the key to successful authority is successful leadership.

How Much is Enough?
We will be looking at the issues of overindulgence and finding the right balance between helping your kids and overindulging them. For our text, we will be reading and discussing How Much is Enough? Everything You Need to Know to Steer Clear of Overindulgence and Raise Likeable, Responsible and Respectful Children from Toddlers to Teens.

Necessary Transitions
In this class, we will not only be looking at the ages and stages of child development from toddler through college but how each of these stages affects us as a parent and a person. What are these transitions that can bring on grief, guilt and growth? How does our past experiences impact our decisions about parenting? How are our feelings directing our actions as a parent?

Take Back Your Kids
This class is based on the book Take Back Your Kids by William Doherty. We will look at how to protect your child from the me-first, consumer culture by giving them the love and limits they need. We will explore such topics as expecting respect and participation in family life and why anger-free parenting does not work.

Discipline That Works Like Magic
The trick to disciple of younger children is to handle disrespectful behavior in an unemotional manner. This is a video based program that will address such issues as stopping unwanted behaviors (whining, arguing), encouraging children to do what you want them to do, handling manipulation and more.

Living With Teenagers
This class will focus on the challenges of parenting teenagers. Teens are faced with a myriad of choices—some have life changing consequences, both good and bad. Learn ways to help teens sort through their options and make good choices. We will also discuss the importance of communication and keeping the lines of communication with teens open—in both directions.

Parenting with Love and Logic
We will be reading and discussing the book, Parenting with Love and Logic. This thought-provoking book should stir interesting discussions. Following the format of the book, each class will begin with a presentation on various parenting principals followed by specific strategies for dealing with those tough challenges that we parents face daily. This class will be appropriate for all parents of infants to adolescents.

When Parents Disagree and What You Can Do About It
This series will help mothers and fathers understand the different perspectives each brings to parenting, resolve conflicts more effectively and discover the joys of raising kids together as a team whether married or no longer married. Parents will learn ways to avoid undermining each other’s authority and grow closer and more accepting both as parents and partners. We will be looking at communication techniques, conflict resolution as well as learning how to adjust your marriage to meet your children’s needs without losing your marriage to parenthood. We will be loosely following Dr. Ron Taffel’s book by the same title as the series.


Take Back Your Marriage
This class is based on the book Take Back Your Marriage by William Doherty. We will learn how to take back our marriages from consumerism, frantic activity, our kids, and well-intentioned family members. We will learn how to assess our own marital health, identify the social pressures most destructive to our marriage, and take active steps to stay close and connected every day.


Right Steps: Discovering Better Marriages
The material for this class will be taken from the Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment (ACME). The six sessions will include getting the most out of your marriage, communicating for understanding, the creative resolution of anger and conflict, and maintaining closeness in relationships and looking forward to the future. Although the classes can stand-alone, couples will get the most out of the series by making a commitment to attend every class together. More information on the course material can be accessed by going to http://www.bettermarriages.org.