A friend recently asked me if I knew of any good parenting classes. She was having problems with her child’s behavior and wondered if parenting instruction would provide insight about how to handle the situation. I participated in helpful parenting classes years ago and knew there must be resources available. We decided to research what parenting classes are available in the Treasure Valley area. Here is what we discovered:

        Organizations that commonly offer parenting classes include hospitals, schools, and police department supported programs. Many religious organizations also provide opportunities for parenting support. And each month, Treasure Valley Family Magazine publishes editorial features, resources, and advertisements from local counselors and individuals who offer parenting programs and services and are listed in the calendar.

St. Luke’s Boise and Meridian Hospitals offer several parenting and child development classes, such as:

• The Happiest Baby on the Block – Practical techniques for soothing a fussy baby and triggering the “calming reflex.”

• Those Outstanding Toddlers – Focuses on toddler growth and development, eating and sleep habits, communication, toilet training, setting limits, and worrisome behaviors.

• Teen Dating Challenges and Solutions – Together teens and their parents explore dating issues and the impact peer pressure can have on a teen’s emotional and physical well-being.

        For more information, call 381-9000 or go online to www.stlukesonline.org.

Saint Alphonsus Regional Medical Center classes include a variety of topics such as:

• Happiest Baby on the Block – see above description

• Taming the Toddler – Techniques that will allow your child the freedom to explore, learn, and develop while helping them understand limits.

        For more information, call 367-3454 or go online to www.saintalphonsus.org.

The Boise School District has developed a parent education program to offer support and skills to assist parents or guardians with raising happy and responsible kids. Classes are offered at varying times throughout the city and are taught by certified school counselors with extensive training and experience. Some of the topics offered include:

• Parenting with Love & Logic® – An approach to raising kids that provides loving support from parents while at the same time teaches kids to be respectful and responsible. The information is designed to help parents raise children who are self-confident, motivated, and ready for the real world.

• Parenting Teenagers – Focuses on parenting skills that guide teenagers to become responsible, cooperative, and independent.

• The Parent Project® – This group is designed for parents with strong willed or out-of-control children and offers practical no-nonsense solutions to the problems parents face today. The Parent Project is a highly structured parenting skills program created to help parents prevent and intervene in destructive adolescent behaviors.

• Anger Management – Anger management techniques for parents and for parents with angry kids.

• Drug Education – Family survival training; instruction and support for parents of at-risk teenagers who may or may not already be involved in substance abuse.

        For more information, call 854-4103 or go online www.boiseschools.org/counselors/parented/.

Some instruction topics and classes offered by the Meridian School District include:

• Early Childhood Made Fun! – A Love and Logic® preschool class for parents of children from birth to age 6. The focus is creating happy families and responsible kids.

• Parenting with Love and Logic® – see above description

• The Parent Project® – see above description

• The Parenting Challenge – The group addresses issues in effective prevention of substance abuse, delinquent behavior, and child abuse/neglect behaviors. The goals of the program are to enrich family relationships.

        For more information, call 855-4500 or go online to www.meridianschools.org.

Some other area classes and programs

• Area police departments partner with Drug Free Idaho – Parents and Youth Against Drug Abuse (PAYADA) to offer various parent-child drug education programs. For more information, phone 570-6403 or go online to drugfreeidaho.org.

• Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) – PEP provides online parenting classes ranging from techniques of building love and showing respect to your child to dealing with the strong-willed or out-of-control kid. Discussions cover joint custody, divorce, separation, step-parenting, step-children, visitation, addiction, and alcohol/drug abuse. To access PEP resources, go online to  www.parentingonline.org.

• Directions. Now offering a 4-part DVD series by Boise’s Vivian Brault, M.A. Counselor, “Tearless Discipline” course for parents. Call 376-4249 or go to parentingpath.com to order and for more class information and parenting resources.

• Center for Stepfamily Development. Offers classes and support for divorced and remarried individuals and families. Also provides information, education, and support. Classes are led by Marion M. Summers, M.Ed. Call 322-2908 or visit www.stepfamilyhelp.com.

What is the cost?

Some classes are offered for free, but most classes have a registration fee and/or a fee for materials. Fees are usually reasonable and some have a sliding scale fee based on income.

Are there any negative aspects to taking a parenting class?

It’s possible a class won’t address the issue of concern. If you need help with a specific problem or concern, it is wise to discuss this with the instructor before enrolling. That way you can be assured the class will meet your needs and be worth your time. If you want a class where you can discuss your experience related to a sensitive issue or problem, you might want to find out if the instructor sets guidelines for confidentiality within the group. Some sensitive topics or situations may be more appropriate to discuss in private with a counselor rather than in a group setting.

Are there other options?

        Other options besides classes include self-help parenting books, DVDs, online resources, individual counseling, and informal groups where parents gather together. There are numerous licensed counselors throughout the Treasure Valley area. Some counseling centers offer support groups, family counseling, and classes in addition to individual counseling. Any setting that allows parents to share concerns and discuss ideas may be helpful.

        Public libraries have a wide variety of parenting books, magazines, and other resources, with trained staff to help you locate what you are looking for. Libraries also may offer parenting related classes. Turn to page 36 for a complete list of Treasure Valley libraries.

Marie Collier, of Boise, is a Licensed Registered Dietitian and freelance writer.