Parent program teaches skills for healthy families

Improving parent-child relationships is the focus of a series of discussion sessions beginning on February 2 at 6:30 p.m. at St. James Family Center, sponsored by St. James Family Center Family Support program.

The discussion will be based on Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP), the most widely used parenting education program in the country.

STEP encourages mutual respect between parent and child, increased cooperation, more effective communication, and a more responsible, self-reliant attitude among children.

Parents who have participated in STEP groups say they find the program helpful for many reasons. High on the list is the opportunity it provides them to share experiences and learn from others. Some STEP leaders speak of networks of parents that have grown up locally around the program. Others say that STEP enables parents to “learn new ways to handle persistent problems,” “to get in touch with their feelings and their child’s”, and to overcome a sense of guilt and develop a sense of confidence and self-esteem.

STEP is also credited for improving participants’ relationships with other people including spouses, employers, and employees. Benefits cited for children include the chance for children to take more responsibility for their own behavior, a calmer, more relaxed environment in which to develop emotionally, and less spanking.

This group will meet for three weeks on Mondays starting on February 2. Childcare will be provided. Contact Katie Turgeon at St. James Family Center for more information or to sign up at 360-795-8612.