Nine-week workshop to teach parenting skills for challenging children

“Grouchy happens once in awhile, defiance is most of the time,” she explains.

Cook, and social worker Gail Morningstar are the facilitators for a nine-week Effective Parenting workshop at Meadowfields School starting Wednesday, Jan. 30. Guest speakers will include teachers, social workers and school psychologists.

The workshop focus is on five to 12-year-olds that display non-compliant, defiant, oppositional, stubborn or socially inappropriate behaviours.

Collectively referred to as the Defiant Child Parent’s Group, the workshop will be of considerable value to parents or care providers of children diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder and Conduct Disorder says Cook. Defiant behaviours include: children that are argumentative more often than not, those that don’t get along with peers or adults. Those that are more likely to not do what they’ve been asked to do and do what they’ve been asked not to do than other children.

“During the course of the workshop we will be showing parents and caretakers how to improve their relationship with their child, learn how to give commands so a child will listen, and then change the behaviour using a token system, which is a reward system,” said Cook.

Oftentimes the reward is as simple as 20 minutes of one-on-one time.

The workshop, which costs $25 and includes a workbook, will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. weekly except for during March Break.

Options are available for those with limited finances. Enrollment is limited.

For more info and to register, call 742-4222.