‘Loving Solutions’ series targets parents of strong-willed children

MADISON – Does your son or daughter understand the meaning of the word ‘no’? Does your child act as boss of the house? Madison City Schools is sponsoring a series that may help.

“Loving Solutions” is a 10week parenting class for families with a five- to 10-year-old who exhibits behavior that is difficult to control, strong-willed or highly impulsive. This class is free. Only parents or guardians of MCS students are eligible to attend.

Loving Solutions is designed around tightly structured Cooperative Learning norms with group learning activities in a workbook format to maximize both learning and interest.

Participants must attend all 10 classes, which will focus on these topics:

• Unit 1 — Parenting the Strong Willed Child

• Unit 2 — Parental Influence

• Unit 3 — Encouraging Positive Choices

•Unit 4 — Redirecting Negative Choices

• Unit 5 — Structuring for Success

• Unit 6 — Improving School Perfor-mance • Unit 7 — Concrete Solutions for Tough Kids

• Unit 8 — Sleep, Diet and Behavior

• Unit 9 — Stay the Course

• Unit 10 — Recognizing and Supporting Success

Parents will work together in small groups throughout the class’ duration. The series intends for the Loving Solutions classes to make the childrearing experience much easier and more enjoyable for parents.

Loving Solutions was designed, in part, to help combat the growing problem with elementary truancy and improve both school behavior and grades. Instructors place a strong emphasis on sleep, diet, structure, supervision, positive communication at home and school, home learning activities and developing homework behavior.

The problem of elementary truancy lies squarely on the shoulders of parents, according to parentproject.com. Many parents lack the needed understanding and skills to help children succeed in school.

In addition, Loving Solutions discusses the needs of children with Attention Deficit Disor- der. Class materials provide a brief but informative introduction and overview to guide parents through this complex subject. Parents who suspect that their child displays these symptoms, along with parents whose child has already been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD, can find helpful guidelines.

This class will meet on Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m. The first class will be Feb. 5 at the MCS Central Office, 211 Celtic Drive. Night and weekend classes will not be available.

For more information, email bbhawkins@ madisoncity.k12.al.us, or visit parentproject.com.