Date: Fri 26-Sep-1997

Publication: Bee

Author: MICHEL

Quick Words:

schools-parenting-Parent-U

Full Text:

Half-Day Seminar On Parenting

(with photo)

BY MICHELE HOGAN

Parenting can be a stressful, demanding job, and for many parents, a "Parent

University" - a half-day series of free workshops dealing with specific issues

in raising healthy, happy young people -can give just the needed boost.

The seminars will take place at Newtown Middle School on Saturday, October 4,

from 8:30 am until noon.

Judy Blanchard, district health coordinator and organizer of this program,

said that many local teens "fear their family will not stay together. They are

afraid of death or divorce."

Deborah Richardson commented that the Voice of Connecticut, a questionnaire

given to many local teens last year, showed that Newtown youth have "heavy

concerns." There was an "overriding feeling of sadness. Kids wanted more

involvement with their parents."

A Parent University has been done successfully in New Milford for the last two

years. Newtown will now also aim to inspire parents to overcome common

difficulties in raising adolescents and children of all ages.

Michel Mennesson of Yale University, who had the most highly-attended workshop

in the New Milford Parent University, will speak on "Dealing Without Anger

With Your Angry Teenagers."

Other topics focus on gender issues and decision-making, handling grief and

loss, managing stress, and keeping the family structure intact as children

mature.

Mrs Blanchard goes on to comment that "with hectic lifestyles it's sometimes

hard to do everything you want to. The Parent University will provide a

supportive atmosphere, where people can start to find solutions that will work

for them and their children."

For more information, call Newtown Youth Services at 270-4335.