Improve your parenting skills with help of free classes

You need a license for so many things in this world. However, anyone can be a parent with no training. But sometimes it can be difficult to effectively parent a child, especially when you are met with resistance and behavioral issues.

Mental Health America of Dutchess County provides a number of free classes you can take in the community in order to improve your communication style with your child or children, ultimately improving the whole family’s quality of life. There are no requirements to attend these classes.  You simply must be a parent wanting to learn skills to be more effective.

EMOTIONAL CRUTCH: Children not equipped to handle needy parents

• "Your Defiant Child" is a research-based, skill-building six-week series for parents, caregivers or educators of defiant children ages 2-11. Participants will learn how to increase child compliance, decrease disruptive behavior, establish disciplinary systems, manage behavior in public places and other valuable child management skills. There is no fee for this course. The series is made possible by a grant from the United Way of Dutchess-Orange.
• "Parenting Explosive Children" is an eight-week course for caregivers of children ages 2-11. This course will help parents of children who are easily frustrated, extremely inflexible, lose control, and become verbally and physically aggressive. Caregivers will acquire skills to effectively respond to challenging behavior, minimize struggles and enhance the child’s development.
• "Parenting Challenging Teens" is an eight- to 10-session course for caregivers of adolescents. The course teaches all family members to negotiate, communicate and problem-solve more effectively.
• "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and How Listen So Kids Will Talk" is a six-session video workshop. This “how-to” series helps the participants cope with their child’s negative feelings, express anger without being hurtful and offers powerful and effective alternatives to punishment, and much more.
• "How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and How to Listen So Teens Will Talk" is an eight-session video series. The viewer will see a diverse group of parents who over time build better relationships with their teenagers. The series combines role playing, group discussion and dramatizations to introduce principles that can help families achieve better communication skills and family harmony.
• "Preparing Your Child for School Success" is a seven-session course. The material presented identifies seven key components in the development of social and emotional intelligence in children.
• "Raising Responsible, Resilient, Self-Sufficient Teens" is a six-session course. The course guides parents through the really tough areas of parenting. The first three sessions will cover developing character, confidence and control; identifying authentic success in today’s world; and peers: relationships, influence and pressure. The remaining three sessions will be determined by the participants. This series is scheduled to begin Wednesday, March 8, at 5:30-7 p.m. 

There is also a support group called HOPE for Families. This is a peer support network for parents and caregivers of children with serious emotional disorders (SED). HOPE is designed to decrease isolation and help parents and caregivers develop support systems. HOPE meets regularly in Beacon and Poughkeepsie. For more information, call Lynn Rogers at Mental Health America of Dutchess County at 845-473-2500, ext. 1343.

For more information, as well as locations, visit the calendar section of the Mental Health America of Dutchess County, website www.mhadutchess.org, and search for the course title or email Marlene Taylor at mtaylor@mhadutchess.org, or call 845-473-2700 ext. 1309.  

Andrew O’Grady is executive director of Mental Health America of Dutchess County.