Parenting

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The Family Support Project
Raising children is an important, yet difficult job. The friendly, non-judgmental staff at the Family Support Project understands this and provides a variety of free and confidential services for the whole family. To speak with someone about the stresses of parenting or to learn more about the Family Support Project of The Women's Center, please call 262-547-4600 during business hours. After hours, you may also call our 24-hour crisis line at 262-542-3828 or toll free at 1-888-542-3828.

Individual and Family Counseling
The Women's Center offers short-term individual and family counseling free of charge. Counseling is available for a variety of family issues including stress and anger management, child development, positive parenting skills and enhancement of healthy family relationships.

Support Groups
Support groups are open to people who want to share their experience with others who are in a similar situation. The groups are facilitated by the family counselor but topics are driven largely by the participants in the group. We offer free onsite childcare during the groups but it should be arranged ahead of time.

Parents of Young Children
On-going, Wednesdays from 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Do you feel alone? Wonder what other parents are doing? Have questions about your child's development? Come share your experiences with other parents. This support group offers parents the opportunity to speak with other parents and addresses issues such as behavioral concerns, stress management and dealing with sibling rivalry.

Grandparents Parenting Again
On-going, Thursdays from 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Grandparents Parenting Again is a group for grandparents who are parenting or playing a significant role in raising their grandchildren. The group addresses life changes, parenting challenges and other concerns while offering support and encouragement. Other topics include legal issues, medical concerns, community resources and intergenerational differences.

Parenting Classes
Parenting classes provide the support and information needed to help parents successfully manage the responsibility of raising healthy and happy children. Classes address a variety of issues and ages of children and range from 3 weeks to 8 weeks depending on the topic. Parenting classes are offered free of charge and there is free onsite childcare available.

CURRENT PARENTING CLASSES:

1-2-3 Magic Video Series with Thomas W. Phelan Ph.D.
Mondays, August 4th, 11th & 15th
6:30-8:00 p.m.

View and discuss the 1-2-3 Magic video. Learn how to get your kids to stop what you don't want them to do and encourage them to start doing what you want them to do. Class will also cover how to handle misbehavior in public and how to improve your child's self esteem.

Sane Parenting in a Crazy World
Mondays, September 15th - November 3rd
6:30-8:00 p.m.

Lots of things can stress us out and prevent us from being the kind of parent we want to be. Family stress can also cause our children to act out. This class will teach parents appropriate ways to deal with stress, frustration and anger while improving parenting skills.

Please call for information on the other classes we have offered:

How To Behave So Your Children Will, Too!
This 3-week video series by Sal Severe, PhD, will teach you how to get your children to listen the first time. You will learn strategies for dealing with negative attention, arguments, power struggles and manipulations. Learn how to promote self-discipline and responsible decision-making. Learn what successful parents do to help their children behave and feel good about themselves.

EMBARRK for Moms (Effectively Moving Beyond Abuse & Raising Resilient Kids)
This is a 7-week program for moms who have been in abusive or conflictual relationships. The program fosters healthy parent/child interactions and focuses on developing positive parenting techniques.

1-2-3 Magic Video Series with Thomas W. Phelan Ph.D.
View and discuss the 1-2-3 Magic video. Learn how to get your kids to stop what you don't want them to do and encourage them to start doing what you want them to do.

S.T.E.P. for Ages 6-12 (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting)
This is a practical, eight-week program that focuses on topics important to today's parents. The course provides valuable training that improves communication, lessens conflict, and develops responsibility among family members. Easy to understand and apply, S.T.E.P. presents effective skills that can be used instantly.

Keeping Your Cool with Your Kids

• Know your limits. Accept what you can't change...for now.
• Ease your tension. Take a walk, listen to music, splash cold water on your face.
• Encourage your children's positive qualities and constructive behavior.
• Phone a friend. It helps to share your concerns and talk things out.
  
  
• Your example helps your children learn to handle anger. Be a good role model.
• Opt for the counting cure if needed. Count to 10 or even 100.
• Use your kitchen timer for "time out" before disciplining.
• Remember that everyone slips up at times, including your children.
  
  
• Count your blessings; these include the children you love.
• Organize time away from your children so you can enjoy your times together.
• Out of ideas to handle anger? Consider parenting classes or professional counseling.
• Learn which "cool down" methods work best for you and use them.
  

Women's Center Services
Family Support Project
Onsite Childcare
Emergency Respite Childcare

Links

Grandparents
http://www.uwex.edu/relationships

Childcare
http://www.4c-milwaukee.org

Parenting in general
http://www.preventchildabusewi.org

The Women's Center is not responsible for the content found on any of the websites listed above.