Parenting class to advise on adolescents’ destructive behavior

MADISON – The challenge for parents who live with and try to guide an adolescent can escalate when the youth demonstrates confrontational and even violent actions.

Parents can register now for Madison City Schools’ 10-week class, “Changing Destructive Adolescent Behavior,” that will provide concrete, no-nonsense solutions to even the unruliest youth.

MCS Social Worker Heather Myers will teach the parenting class that is affiliated with the Parent Project, Sr. program. The class will meet on Tuesdays from noon to 2 p.m. at Central Office, 211 Celtic Drive, and will start on Feb. 10.

Class fee is $40. Class size is limited to 20 spots for parents of 12- through 18-year-olds. Evening or weekend classes will not be available.

Parent Project’s mission involves the development of training programs for parents raising difficult or out-of-control children. Parent Project has completed 35-plus years of service to families. The company’s staff has worked with more than 1.5 million parents.

Discussion topics during the class will include arguing and family conflict; childhood trauma; poor performance at school; truancy and dropouts; media influences; early teen sexuality; teen drug use; youth gangs; teen violence and bullying; and runaways Parents can expect answers to questions like the following examples:

• What do I do when my child hits me?

• My child is a drug user and may be addicted. What should I do?

• What should I do when my child refuses to go to school?

• My kid is in a gang. What can I do?

• What do I do when my child refuses to help around the house?

• What can I do when my child screams and curses at me?

• What should I do when my child runs away?

To register, visit tinyurl.com/y3crhdwb. Complete the form, which requests contact information for parents and child and identifying the child’s school.

After a parent submits the form, Myers will email for payment of the $40 class fee, which covers cost of the required Parent Guide. A parent’s class spot is not reserved until MCS receives payment.

In addition, parents with financial need can contact Myers and express their interest in attending the class.

For more information, call Myers at 256-464-8370, ext. 10804, or email hmyers@ madisoncity.k12.al.us.