Lesson Category: Teens

Studies show that youth who feel they can talk with their parents are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as The adolescent brain assesses risk differently and teens get bored more easily. These are just a few of the changes taking place in your adolescent’s brain that might make communication and safety a lot more challenging. This class will provide parents with important information about teen brain development and practical strategies to help teens stay safe as well as grow and thrive. 

Parents are feeling especially stretched thin and stressed out during this new normal. Demands are coming at you from many directions while you learn to do almost every daily routine in a new way. Bringing your full attention to the present moment has never been more important nor more challenging. The good news is that there are many simple daily practices that can bring you and your children back to the here and now and have fun doing it.

Participants will be able to apply simple, practical strategies that will:
- Reduce stress
- Increase happiness
- Improve family relationships.

Learning to have romantic relationships and deal with sexually maturing bodies are essential tasks of healthy teen development. As the parents, you may feel as unprepared as your kids feel to navigate this ever-changing stage. While adolescents sometimes act like they know it all, they often feel vulnerable and unprepared for the social and sexual realities of romantic relationships. And the same may be true for you – maybe you are wondering how do I support exploration and independence while keeping my child safe, especially during these challenging times. 

Participants in this class will be able to 

● Apply steps to navigate teens’ romantic relationships with trust, compassion, clarity and consistency 

● Identify strategies to balance monitoring with trust 

● Recognize the connections between physical and romantic relationships with parental relationship health

Studies show that youth who feel they can talk with their parents are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as The adolescent brain assesses risk differently and teens get bored more easily. These are just a few of the changes taking place in your adolescent’s brain that might make communication and safety a lot more challenging. This class will provide parents with important information about teen brain development and practical strategies to help teens stay safe as well as grow and thrive. 

Parents are feeling especially stretched thin and stressed out during this new normal. Demands are coming at you from many directions while you learn to do almost every daily routine in a new way. Bringing your full attention to the present moment has never been more important nor more challenging. The good news is that there are many simple daily practices that can bring you and your children back to the here and now and have fun doing it.

Participants will be able to apply simple, practical strategies that will:
- Reduce stress
- Increase happiness
- Improve family relationships.

All children are sad, anxious, irritable, or aggressive at times. Occasionally kids find it challenging to sit still, pay attention, or interact with others. In most cases, these are just typical phases in their development. However, these behaviors may indicate a more serious problem in some children. Without attention, these mental health conditions can prevent children from reaching their full potential. 

Whether your child is doing fine and you want to  prevent future mental health issues, or your child just  doesn’t seem like their usual self, or has actually  declared suicidal thoughts, you can help.  

Participants in this class will be able to:

• Identify and apply relationship strategies and everyday habits that support good mental health in children and teens. 
• Recognize the impact of parents’ mental health on the family. 
• Recognize and respond to signs in children and teens that more mental health support is needed. 

Raising healthy children with an ability to sustain meaningful relationships is a challenge even in the most ideal situations. Add on hormones, attitude, personality, technology and shelter-in place - welcome to the tween and teen years! This interactive online class will include a conversation about parenting the independent, emerging adult while still nurturing the playful child within. 

We will talk specifically about building relationships during this very unpredictable time. You will have the opportunity to explore making stronger connections through conversation and confrontation in the context of real-life situations. Participants will be able to: 

● Initiate and maintain an open dialogue 

● Support your child’s social life 

● Broach the difficult subjects 

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.  

This class will provide concrete tools to conduct productive conversations and respectfully reach some agreements to avoid conflict and decrease the polarization of parenting styles.

Does your child seem unmotivated, stressed or just bored when it comes to school?

Do you play homework police instead of connecting positively with your child?

Are you confused about what will really help?

Many parents feel overwhelmed or out of the loop when it comes to their kids’ education. How can you nurture your child’s education and support engagement in learning? This class will help support your child’s learning and motivation in ways that work. You will discover how to advocate in meaningful ways when necessary. 

After this class you will be able to:

• Recognize and address your child’s progress and needs
• Partner with your child and, as needed, your child’s teacher to set up successful homework practices
• Apply simple, practical methods of inspiring your child’s motivation without taking over
• Identify when and how to contact a teacher about your child’s school challenges

Studies show that youth who feel they can talk with their parents are less likely to engage in risky behaviors such as promiscuity, using substances, violence, etc. Talking isn’t lecturing and this class will strengthen your listening as well as talking skills in ways that will help protect your teens and maybe even save your sanity.