Lesson Category: All

Finding your own nurturing style as a dad can be tricky. We all carry our own ideas about what fatherhood means, and these ideas are often influenced in part by our own experiences. Becoming aware of them helps us to decide what behaviors we want to pass on and which to leave behind. 

We want our children to live healthy, happy lives with strong connections and a positive sense of self. Conversation is a pathway to developing and sustaining a healthy and trusting relationship with your child and for having a positive impact on how they see themselves.

Not sure what the difference is between sexual orientation and gender identity?

Confused by terms your child might be using, like pansexual, queer, transgender, or nonbinary?

Feeling the need for some guidance about how to positively respond to your child?

There are many ways youth may be talking about their sexual orientation or gender identity that might be new or confusing for parents. Having a basic understanding of the words being used, along with some helpful ways to respond, can assist you in supporting your child. Participants in this class will be able to:

• Identify the differences between sexual orientation and gender identity
• Identify common LGBTQ identities and what they may mean for your child
• Recognize and apply ways to respond to your child that are supportive 
• Recognize responses to your child that are not helpful

Does the idea of talking with your child about sexual orientation feel difficult or even a little scary?

Are you confused about the changing ways that many in our society see these issues?

Worried about knowing how to support your child?

The issues of sexual orientation can be daunting for both kids and parents. Your child will look to you for guidance about how to feel and act. This class will help you prepare for an open, ongoing dialogue with your child or teen that is candid, authentic and supportive. Participants in this class will be able to:

• Recognize key issues and biases related to sexual orientation for your child and for yourself
• Apply listening and talking strategies that help your child feel safe enough to express their true thoughts and feelings
• Apply approaches that will support your child’s positive thoughts and feelings about themself

Human beings are built to reflect each other’s emotions. When children display intense feelings and behaviors, our brains naturally reflect those. We start to feel stressed, angry, fearful, or overwhelmed, just like our kids. The most helpful thing we can do is to develop a brain calming practice and make it part of our daily routine.

Each of us grows up in a unique family and when we come together as a couple, we don’t usually talk about our parenting beliefs until children are actually on the scene. The more intentional parents are about sharing their stories and values with each other, the more likely it is that you can agree on parenting approaches.  

Mothers often parent in ways that are different from fathers and those differences can be helpful to children, but only if you recognize the strengths of each other’s approaches.. “Marshmallows” often join with “Generals” because in some ways they need each other. But over time your differences can become more dramatic and problematic.  

There can be a fine line between encouraging healthy habits in our children and creating negative thoughts on body image and self-perception. We want the best for our children, but often forget that they are watching how we treat ourselves and model their own behaviors after that.  

Parents are less stressed when their kids cooperate. Children are more cooperative when they feel positively connected with their parents. This live online class will help you understand and apply:

• Communication skills that build strong parent-child connections

• Parent behaviors that help kids cope with stress so they can develop self-control

• Effective discipline that reduces misbehavior and increases positive behavior in the long run

You will have a chance to ask questions and get answers on the spot. You will also receive helpful cheat sheets to look back on when you are trying out new approaches.

Are you raising your voice too often and wishing for more patience?  

Are you concerned that you are too strict or too easy?  

Do you sometimes think there must be a better way?  

You are not alone.  

During this workshop, you will discover myths that keep parents repeating ineffective discipline techniques that can actually increase misbehavior. You will learn evidence-based, straightforward strategies that increase and sustain child compliance, support child self-worth and strengthen your parent-child relationship.  

Join us for this interactive, engaging workshop to gain the simple, practical tools you need to raise the children you really want - cooperative, confident and connected positively with family and friends.

With a full calendar of places you and your child need to be it can be difficult to find snacks that are healthy and quick,