STEP/Teen Discussion Group For Parents

Volunteers of America Mental Health Clinics will offer its “STEP/Teen” (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting of Teens) discussion group for parents to learn more effective ways to communicate with their teenagers.

When/Where:

• Anoka Clinic: On Thursday evenings October 23, 2008 through December 11, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (no session on Thursday, November 27) at the Anoka Clinic located at the Bar-None Campus, 22426 St. Francis Boulevard NW, Anoka, MN 55303
• Golden Valley Clinic: On Thursday evenings from October 23, 2008 through December 11, 2008 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. (no Session on Thursday, November 27) at the Golden Valley Clinic located at 5905 Golden Valley Road, Suite 100, Golden Valley, MN 55422

Who Should Attend?
Parents of preteens/teens in our community and parents of Volunteers of America of Minnesota program participants.

Description:
Parenting requires knowledge of principles and a set of skills that can be learned. As we understand and apply the skills learned in STEP/Teen, it will benefit our teens, ourselves and our families.

The STEP/Teen discussion groups offer parents a down-to-earth and practical way to meet the challenges of raising teenagers today and paves the way to improved parent-teen relationships; more responsible teenage behavior in home, school, and community; and teenage self-esteem and self-reliance.

Through real-life video segments, role plays, and supportive group discussions, the program teaches specific parenting skills and shows how they can be applied to the many challenges faced by teenagers and their parents: peer pressure, education and career plans, sexuality, use of the car, drinking, drug use, gangs, violence, and many others.

Topics:

• Understanding Yourself and your PreTeen/Teen
• Changing Your Response to your PreTeen/Teen
• Communicating Respect and Encouragement
• Encouraging Cooperation and Solving Problems
• Using Consequences to Build Responsibility
• Deciding What to Do: Part 1
• Deciding What to Do: Part 2

STEP/Teen has been helping parents for over twenty years to improve family relationships.  Come join the discussion!

Cost:
Only $25 for general community participants.

To register, or for more information contact:
Bonnie Nelson or Ehlan Thompson at 763-753-7310.