Class helps parents in effort of Guiding Good Choices

Are you concerned that when your child goes to middle school, he or she will be overwhelmed and not make wise decisions? If so, the Guiding Good Choices® workshop is for you.

Guiding Good Choices® is an interactive five-week program for all parents of children in grades 4 through 8. In a lively and open atmosphere, parents will learn specific strategies to help their children avoid adolescent problem behaviors and develop into healthy adults. Parents will learn to set clear family guidelines, as well as practice skills to strengthen family bonds, help their children develop healthy behaviors and promote children’s responsibilities in the family.

The program is being offered by the Wood County Educational Service Center, through the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative.

Research demonstrates that children who have strong relationships with their parents develop better social and emotional competencies. These skills, in turn, help them succeed in school and make healthier life choices.

The program points out that one of the key elements to building a strong, supportive family unit is to establish firm boundaries and expectations for children. Guiding Good Choices® encourages parents to set clear guidelines for their children in order to develop healthy beliefs and standards. This foundation will, in turn, provide children with the ability to refuse and resist when confronted with potential problem behaviors. You might say it provides the “hand rails for life’s slippery slopes.”

Three different sessions will begin in January:

• Every Thursday beginning Jan. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Indian Hills Elementary School in Rossford.
• Every Tuesday beginning Jan. 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at North Baltimore Public Library.
• Every Monday beginning Jan. 24, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Lake Elementary School.

The workshops are free for attending parents. Light refreshments, child care, and door prizes will be provided each week.

For more information, contact Greg Bonnell at (419) 354-9010, ext. 228.