A six-session parenting workshop is being offered by the Women’s Resource Center of Northern Michigan (WRCNM) led by Joann F. Townsend, ACSW.  Sessions will take place 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 10, 17, 24, November 7, 14, 28, at the WRCNM administrative offices, 423 Porter Street, Petoskey.

The workshop will offer parents simple and effective techniques to help build self-esteem in children and open the avenues for communication between parent and child.  “Parents will learn skills on how to set limits while maintaining good will, cope with their child’s negative feelings, express anger without hurting, engage their child’s willing cooperation and create a family atmosphere of love and respect,” said Townsend.

The workshop is based on the best-selling book, “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk,” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish.  The authors wrote the book to come to the aid of parents looking for practical and sensible approaches to raising children. “Parents are on the firing line seven days a week.  Yet, few of them have had any training for this demanding job.  No wonder even the most well-intentioned parents often find themselves feeling frustrated, bewildered, guilty, and alone,” said Faber and Mazlish.

“This workshop gives parents a chance to learn practical, new skills and exchange ideas and experiences with other parents.  While the techniques are scripted for use with children, they can be used to communicate effectively with friends, partners, co-workers, supervisors, relatives—just about anyone,” said Townsend, who has led many parenting workshops over the years.

Hundreds of thousands of parents and professionals have benefited from the How to Talk So Kids Will Listen workshop.  Studies in Wisconsin, Colorado and North Dakota show attending parents developed skills that significantly and lastingly improved the quality of their family life.

Advanced registration and payment is requested because space is limited.  The workshop fee is $80 per person or $90 per couple, which includes materials.  Participants will receive certificates of completion at the end of the program.  To register, contact the WRCNM administrative office at 231-347-0067.