Confronting peer pressure isn’t easy for parents or their children.
But thanks to “Guiding Good Choices,” a free workshop for families beginning April 8 in Bonney Lake, parents and children will have the opportunity to learn skills to strengthen communication, help with confrontation and boost confidence.
The five-week series takes place from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Wednesdays in Prairie Ridge and includes a complimentary family-style dinner beginning at 6 p.m.
Free childcare for children 9 and younger will also be provided while youths 9-14 will participate in the classes.
Jan Page, a retired secretary of 22 years with the Sumner School District, will be the facilitator. She said the reception was favorable from previous classes she taught in Fife, Sumner and Lake Tapps.
“The content is solid and the techniques are easy to implement,” Page said of the series. “The more that families can establish clear standards and values, the risks for involvement in drugs, alcohol and other risky behaviors are reduced. Much of what we emphasize will help strengthen family bonds.”
Page said she enjoys working with youth and families and applies that passion in her position as ministry director at Lake Tapps Community Church.
“I love kids and have a real burden for families,” she said.
Some of the topics Page covers include: establishing limits, handling frustrations, managing family conflicts, learning to get along with others and showing appreciation for family members.
The classes encourage youth participation.
“We do one session with the kids where we teach them how to stay out of trouble, have fun and keep their friends (refusal skills training),” she said. “I love to see them realize they can be in control of a potentially negative situation.”
During the course, parents are taught how to convey clear behavior expectations as well as how to involve their children in decision making. The latter subject helped open the doors of communication between a father and his middle-school student, who “had a wonderful money discussion about the refinancing of their home,” Page recalled. “He was able to teach his son about the lower interest rate they’d receive and why that was beneficial.
“It’s so exciting to see parents encouraged in their desire to strengthen their family,” Page said. “I know it’s difficult for families to commit to the five weeks, but it is time well-spent.”
The event is sponsored through a grant from the Greater Pierce Community Network. Dinner and childcare take place at the Prairie Ridge Recreation Hall and the classes are located in the adjacent community service building.
For more information, or to register, call 253-334-5895 or 360-829-1921, ext. 261.
Reach Judy Halone at jhalone@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald or 360-802-8210.
