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"The methodology is so easy to follow and the daily practice helps to internalize it. Group support is great and you really promote it well."
~ Father of 5 year old
 
"This class has helped our family situation 100%. Now we feel united in our approach; as a result our daughter's behavior and personality have improved. We are very, very grateful."
~ Father of 4 year old
 
"My stress level in handling things is a lot less. I am more thoughtful and less angry."
~ Mother of 7 year old
Parenting the Spirited Child
CLASS DETAILS
Class Schedule:
  Parenting the Spirited / Challenging Child
(for parents of 3½–7½ year olds)

This class is taught three times a year: fall, winter, and spring. Usually, classes meet one evening a week for 10 weeks, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

The next class will begin on Thursday, March 27, 2008. Click here for details on class dates and times.

Send an email to be notified when future dates are posted.

 
Class Location:
  Seattle: These classes are located in Seattle in a central location, close to I-5, so that parents can come from many locations in the Puget Sound area.

The Parenting the Spirited / Challenging Child class meets at the Good Shepherd Center in Wallingford (map). Parking is usually available on-site. Sorry, no childcare is available.

Out-of-town Sites: Weekend workshops can be arranged with the instructor at national/international locations. Please call or email the instructor for further information.

 
Class Size:
  The class size ranges from 10-24 people.
 
Class Cost:
  Costs vary by location. Parenting the Spirited / Challenging Child in Seattle for one parent is $285, for two parents it is $395.

The $50 non-refundable deposit is subtracted from the total cost.

The instructor will gladly discuss reduced tuition for those parents who could not otherwise take this class. Please call or email the instructor to make arrangements before registration.

Class cost includes a private, one-hour, post-class session with the instructor.

 
Book Cost:
  The class textbook for Parenting the Spirited / Challenging Child, The Incredible Years, by Carolyn Webster-Stratton, is sold on the first day of class for $22.00. Notebook, additional reading materials, and course refreshments are provided by the course instructor.


COURSE OUTLINE
Session One:

Building a Positive Relationship with your Child / Having Fun Together

  • Introduction to the Program
  • On Temperament / It is no one's fault!
  • Negative and Positive Scripting
  • How/Why to Play With Your Child
Session Two:

Bringing Out the Best in Your Child / Praise, Appreciation, and Positive Attention

  • The Connection/Attention Principle
  • How's and Why's of Appreciation / External to Internal self-esteem
  • Self-praise and Couple Praise
  • What do I want to Change / Small steps, positively stated
Session Three:

Beyond Behavior / Developing Wonderful Qualities in Your Child

  • Specific, Directed, and Quality-Building Appreciations
  • The Importance of Narrative: The stories you tell about your family
  • Building Blocks of a Healthy Home Life
Session Four:

Motivating Your Child

  • Tangible Rewards
  • Leverage / First…Then
  • Lean, not saturated / Earning rather than taking away
  • Ignoring…the Attention Principle Revisited
Session Five:

Emotional Intelligence: The Key to Happiness

  • Using a vocabulary of Feelings
  • Listening and Speaking
  • Friendship Talk
  • Courtesy at Home
  • Common Rituals of Connection
Session Six:

Establishing Safe Ways to Express Frustration and Anger

  • What is a Safe House
  • Taking the No More Violence Pledge
  • Prevention
  • Self-Calming
  • Emergency Measures
Session Seven:

Effective Limit Setting / It is Okay to Be in Charge

  • What are the Important Rules/Values in Our Family?
  • Running a Benign Dictatorship; It is Okay to Be in Charge
  • The Decision Making Grid
  • Short term pain / Long term gain
  • Mushy vs. Clear Limits=External to Internal Controls
  • The Magic Triad: Strong warmth, strong communication, strong limits
  • Creating opportunities for disappointment or "just say no to drugs"
Session Eight:

Setting External Limits

  • Giving Clear Commands
  • Time-Out
  • Logical Consequences / How to Help Your Child Be Successful
Session Nine:

Problem Solving as a Way of Life

  • Transparency
  • Brain storming / Welcoming Ideas
  • Siblings and Play Dates
Session Ten:

Finishing up our Conversation

  • Pep Talk and Reminders
  • Identifying what you have learned
  • Food and photos to share
  • Final Evaluation

Note to Parents: While most subjects in the outline will be discussed, the in-depth nature of the class means that some topics may be left out and others may be added depending on class needs.

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