By deb VanHoorelbeke

YouthZone

Twenty-eight years in the business and more than 22,000 young people later, YouthZone knows the value and importance of parents in any young person’s life. It is you, the parent, who is looked to as a role model, disciplinarian, caretaker, nurterer and guiding force. For this reason, YouthZone requests your presence at one of our upcoming parenting classes.

Parenting has become more challenging over the years as today’s children are faced with many very difficult decisions. The job of being a parent isn’t easy. This is where parenting classes can help. And this is why I encourage every parent to take a parenting class.

Parenting classes were once thought of as the place you would go if you were a parent with very weak parenting skills. Just as parenting has changed, so have parenting classes. Parenting classes offer parents support, resources, and tools to assist them in enhancing their parenting skills.

Through a parenting class you can meet other parents who are often dealing with a parenting situation that is similar to yours. Meeting these parents can be very encouraging and a great learning experience. You will also develop a “network” of parents with whom you can consult long after the class has ended. I have facilitated parenting classes for seven years at YouthZone, and I have found every class to be rewarding in its own special way.

In response to parents, YouthZone is providing two upcoming parenting classes. The first class will be from from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 2 through July 7 at the YouthZone’s Rifle Office. This course is appropriate for parents with kids of all ages. The class curriculum is based on the Jim Fay/Foster Cline Love and Logic Parenting Course. This curriculum is appropriate for parents with kids of any age. Through the course, you will learn how to make parenting a win-win situation for both you and your child by learning to establish healthy control without resorting to anger, threats, nagging or exhausting power struggles.

On June 3, YouthZone will hold a class called “the Tween Years.” The class is specific to parents of kids in sixth grade. The class will be from 6-9 p.m. at the YouthZone office in Glenwood. In this curriculum you will learn to: enhance communication, teach effective discipline techniques, identify the perceptions children have and skills they need, help children experience logical consequences, combat peer pressure, and learn new parenting tools.

Call 945-9300 or 625-3141 to reserve your space in either class. Hope to see you at class. If you are unable to attend class, remember that YouthZone offers the parent consultation. This is a 50-minute session with a YouthZone counselor to talk about your concerns and provide you with resources and options to help you.

Let YouthZone help you make parenting fun.

Deb VanHoorelbeke is a YouthZone senior counselor and parent program coordinator.Deb VanHoorelbeke is a YouthZone senior counselor and parent program coordinator.