Parenting Class Series

Nurturing Strong and Supporting Families - A series of four classes for you, as a parent or caregiver, empowers you to nurture, communicate, and thrive for the well-being of your child.

As a parent myself, I understand the heartfelt desire we all share, to do our best for our children. With a background as a cognitive neuroscientist, and as a Master Certified Health Education Specialist, I incorporate educational approaches regarding how our brains are uniquely shaped by our life experiences and the environments we have encountered, which affect our choices and behaviors and parents (J. DeCarli). This approach helps parents and caregivers to understand not only about child development but also how as parents we respond, model behaviors, and communicate with their child. The Parenting Class Series includes portions of our Cognitive-Based Integrative (CBI) program models to help improve learning and promote healthier behaviors. Often, our reactions and approaches are influenced by our own past experiences, inherited behaviors, and cultural traditions, factors that significantly impact how we connect and interact with our children.

This comprehensive series of parenting classes is designed to empower parents and caregivers with the skills and knowledge needed to support their child's development, and physical and emotional well-being. Covering essential topics such as effective communication and cooperative co-parenting, understanding child developmental stages and emotional needs, establishing consistent routines and boundaries, and managing parental stress through self-care, these classes provide practical strategies for creating a nurturing and stable environment. Additionally, these courses meet court requirements for parenting education, ensuring that participants gain valuable insights aligned with legal standards. Whether you're looking to strengthen your parenting skills or fulfill court mandates, this series offers the tools you need to foster a positive, supportive family dynamic.

The following classes are designed for individual or group, virtual or in-person. Each class is 2-hours and includes handouts, resources, and court certificate of completion (if needed for court class). Class sessions are most effective as an individual (one-on-one with instructor and parents) and are interactive, with a focus on addressing individual family needs.

Class 1: Effective Communication and Co-Parenting Strategies

Learn how to build healthy, respectful communication with your co-parent, resolve conflicts constructively, and work together cooperatively for the benefit of your child. This class provides practical techniques to foster mutual understanding and develop a parenting plan that promotes stability and harmony.

OVERVIEW

Explore vital skills to improve communication and cooperation in co-parenting.
Our goal is to help you build a positive co-parenting relationship that benefits your child’s well-being.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Identify key components of effective communication in a co-parenting context.
Demonstrate active listening and clear expression of needs and concerns.
Apply conflict resolution techniques to address co-parenting disagreements.
Develop a cooperative parenting plan that promotes the child's well-being.
Recognize and manage emotional triggers that affect communication dynamics.

Class 2: Child Development and Needs

Gain insights into the different stages of child growth, from infancy to adolescence. Understand your child's emotional and developmental needs, and discover ways to support their physical, emotional, and social development to help them thrive.

OVERVIEW

To explore children’s emotional needs
To learn how to assess emotions effectively
To introduce the Feelings Thermometer as a communication tool
Provide a review of a child’s emotional development

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Understand the emotional needs of children
Recognize signs of different emotions
Assess children’s emotional states accurately
Learn how to introduce and use the Feelings Thermometer
Implement strategies to support emotional regulation and communication
Teach a child how to express and talk about how they feel

Class 3: Establishing and Maintaining Routines and Boundaries

Discover how consistent routines, clear rules, and effective discipline strategies create a secure environment for children. Learn how to set boundaries that promote responsibility and independence while maintaining a nurturing atmosphere.

OVERVIEW

Why routines and boundaries are essential in co-parenting
How consistent routines and rules promote stability
Strategies to create and maintain effective routines and boundaries
Overcoming common challenges in co-parenting environments
Positive Discipline Strategies

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Understand the importance of routines and boundaries in supporting children’s development
Develop strategies to create consistent routines and clear rules across households
Implement effective discipline strategies aligned between co-parents
Communicate effectively to maintain boundaries and routines
Address challenges in co-parenting with flexibility and cooperation

Class 4: Managing Parental Stress and Self-Care

Explore stress management techniques and self-care practices that strengthen your emotional resilience. This class helps parents and caregivers maintain their well-being, which in turn supports healthier relationships and better parenting.

OVERVIEW

Understand the impact of parental stress on children and relationships
Learn practical stress management techniques
Explore self-care practices to nurture your well-being
Build emotional resilience for ongoing challenges
Strengthen co-parenting through self-awareness and support

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Recognize signs and sources of parental stress
Identify effective stress reduction strategies
Incorporate self-care routines into daily life
Develop resilience to cope with ongoing parenting challenges
Use self-awareness to improve co-parenting relationships

Call 323-491-6197 to schedule your appointment or learn more about our parenting series.

In addition to the above Parenting Class Series, there is also a Smart Choices Parenting program, designed for parents with elementary-aged children, and parents and teens for middle to high school-aged teens, to help reduce adolescent risk behavior and improve choices.