Parenting the Challenged Child

PARENTING THE CHALLENGED SUCCESSFUL STEP-PARENTING WARREN COUNTY CHILREN & YOUTH SERVICES CHILD Stepchildren come as a “package deal” 27 HOSPITAL DRIVE Issues of grieving and loss, when a person marries someone with NORTH WARREN, PA 16365 communication, rights and advocacy, children. A bond must be built – it is not and behavior management along with naturally acquired from birth. The understanding of child’s disability/ illness children may present significant and special challenges it presents the challenges. We discuss communication, PARENT parents and siblings are discussed. The discipline and other parenting skills as goal is to encourage the parents to be well as interaction with the natural EDUCATION knowledgeable on behalf of their child. parent. PROGRAM GRANDPARENTS RAISING D.A.D. CLASS Kids have a “father need” that must be GRANDCHILDREN For copies of schedules and to register, met. Many fathers are separated from Many grandparents are raising their call our Parent Educators Tony Marino, their children and it can be difficult to grandchildren for a variety of reasons. (Ext. 8211), Maria Grenat, (Ext 8190), or stay connected with them. Focus will be Discussion centers on dealing with Susan McConnell (Ext 8249), at (814) on fathering effectively and lessening issues the parents present as well as 726-2100. Most classes are without the emotional distance between kids the needs of the children involved. We cost. and their dad, even though a physical also address the needs and feelings of distance exists. (This class was the grandparents who are thrust into this developed at the request of the Court. role. Attending it can strengthen a dad’s position with the Court.) TRUANCY Parents of truant kids are told they are breaking the law. This class lists and explains Pennsylvania Educational Law and the legal consequences of truancy. Classes are designed to In addition, parents are offered instruction on ways to gain compliance be fun, casual and YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER FOR ANY as well as procedures for dealing with informative using lecture, PARENTING CLASS non-compliance. A fee of $25.00 per discussion, videos and family is charged for this class. If there are not sufficient registrants for a handouts. scheduled class the class will be canceled. If you are registered for that class, we will contact you to re-schedule you for the next session. BIRTH TO THREE YEARS ACTIVE PARENTING OF TEENS Discussed in this class are infant care In this class there is a focus on basics; communication; stages of growth understanding ourselves and then our and development; finding appropriate teens. Adolescent development, childcare; and other health and safety communication, creating a positive self- issues. The goal is to help parents image, discipline, punishment, family establish trust and communication with meetings and setting goals are some of their infant along with nurturing and the topics discussed. The goal is to help support. the teenager achieve autonomy and accept responsibility successfully as a POSITIVE PARENTING young adult. This class offers the basic skills and THE OPPOSITIONAL DEFIANT training parents need: communication, CHILD discipline, punishment, self esteem, Sometimes parents face acute eliminating or changing behavior, frustration when a child seems to expressing affection, use of time out. oppose and defy every limit set for him. There is also discussion about why The relationship between the child and parents parent as they do, working parents is a continued battle of wills. together as parents and getting their The focus of this class is to foster an own needs met. The goal of the class is understanding of the dynamics of this to have the parent in control and a relationship and provide instruction on happy, health relationship between parenting to achieve effective parent and child. compliance by the child, reducing the power struggle. PARENTING THE ADD/ADHD PLAY IS THE WAY CHILD Play is one of the first ways children Because these children present such an learn about the world in which they live-- acute challenge, the usual parenting and Parents are their first teachers! techniques often do not work with them. Children learn to move and to think The class focus is on understanding the about their world by playing. This class needs, finding the best solutions and will help parents to understand the encouraging the child to succeed in importance of play and learn and spite of the problems he must practice how to play with their children. overcome. The class is taught in two sessions. The first session is for parents only. The second session is a practice session where the parent(s) and child attend together. Families will receive a free bag of toys to take home as part of the class. HELPING YOUR CHILDREN COPE WITH DIVORCE In this class, parents learn how separation affects parents and children and how parents can work together to reduce negative effects. Parent learn new models for relating, as they make the change from their former personal relationship with the other parent to a new “business” relationship, the business being successfully raising their children while no longer living together. Information about community resources, the court process, and choosing an attorney are provided. A video provides childrens’ perspective on divorce. The focus is on building two healthy new families where children can benefit from continued involvement with both parents.

PARENTING DURING RECOVERY Parents in early recovery face many challenges. Resuming their role in the household is difficult and may threaten their sobriety. The focus of the class is on rebuilding trust with your children, handling anger, and setting rules and limits while maintaining sobriety.

BED WETTING AND SOILING Parents and other caregivers describe these problems as “very frustrating.” We look at causes, ways to cope with the situation and offer suggestions for helping the child own the problem and deal with it.