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Parent help seminar to focus on how to talk to kids

Hour - 9/20/2018

Sept. 20--WILTON -- "Kids don't come with an owner's manual."

"I'm doing the best that I can."

"Kids just weren't like this back when I was younger."

These are but a few of the comments repeated parents struggling to do right by their children. The thing is, parenting just isn't easy, which is why Wilton Public Schools has partnered with the Wilton Youth Council to offer parents a six-week workshop called "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk."

The program, developed by the Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, authors of a book by the same name, uses lessons, role-play and practice to help parents develop more effective skills for communicating with their children.

"It can be hard to know the right thing to say, especially when we're tired or frustrated. Having the chance to try new things at home, and then come back to the group and discuss what did and didn't work, is invaluable," said Genevieve Eason, the vice president of the Wilton Youth Council.

"Learning a new approach takes time. But the skills that are taught are actually helpful for us in all of our interpersonal communication, not just with our kids, but also with partners, friends and co-workers,"

In this workshop, participants will learn how to engage their child's cooperation, respond to negative feelings, set limits and find alternatives to punishment. The purpose of the workshop is for parents to begin to understand how to resolve conflicts peacefully, develop positive family relationships, and encourage autonomy in their children.

The program was introduced last year with funding provided through a joint initiative of the Wilton Woman's Club and Wilton Youth Council. Every session last year ended up requiring wait lists, Eason said.

The workshops will be moderated by Kim Zemo, the safe school climate coordinator, and social workers from throughout the district. Each of the moderators was trained by Susan Bauerfeld, a local clinical psychologist and parent coach who has been leading similar workshops for years.

Both participants and facilitators shared that not only did they learn valuable skills that benefited their families, but they also developed supportive relationships with each other.

The "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk" workshop is scheduled to run three times this fall. It will be offered again in the spring, at which time an evening option will be available.

Registration is currently open for all sessions. All sessions will be held at the Comstock Community Center from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

To register, call Wilton Youth Services at 203-834-6241. If you have questions about the workshop, please contact Kim Zemo at zemok@wiltonps.org.

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