Wisdom is a combination of knowledge and experience. So, using Parenting Wisely makes perfect sense, especially if your children are showing at-risk behaviors. Find out if the program is right for your family, and then sign up as soon as possible. Here’s everything you need to know to get started.
What is the Parenting Wisely program?
Parents and their children can live happier, healthier lives together thanks to this simple program. It focuses on families with kids who are at risk for or struggling with the following problems:
- Substance abuse (in or out of the home)
- Delinquency
- Emotional outbursts
- Rebellion
- Violence
Meanwhile, it generally excludes kids younger than 10 and only serves children until they’re 18. But, there’s also a “Young Child” version of the program for kids ages 3 to 10.
A brief program overview
Parenting Wisely lets caretakers move through the program at their own pace. It’s based on a computer but the courses are extremely interactive. Parents and their kids work together to improve strained relationships and solve major conflicts. Usually, DVD videos, live discussions, and group exercises are key.
This program’s DVDs/online recordings use 10 different scenarios to play out common challenges with raising adolescents. Then, parents choose one of three solutions before getting shown the outcome for each. Afterward, feedback is exchanged and a short quiz is administered.
As a participant, you get access to a supportive tutor that walks you through each scenario. You also get some course highlights and a little peace of mind from the user-friendly interface that doesn’t require any special skills at all. That goes for the kids as well.
How does Parenting Wisely help at-risk kids?
At-risk children benefit from this program in many ways because it’s geared towards families with specific problems. For example, here’s a shortlist of the things that you and your family can expect from PW:
- Decreased problem behavior
- Tighter family bonds
- Reduction of teen/parent depression
- Reduced desire to use drugs or alcohol
- Lost will for violent tendencies
- Removed risk of recidivism
- Increased time for family gatherings
Meanwhile, the program also helps parents feel more confident about their parenting style. That’s because it gives them more knowledge, which thereby reduces the need for yelling and physical punishment.
What does Parenting Wisely teach parents?
Contrary to popular belief, this program isn’t just for troubled teens. It helps parents cope with raising at-risk young adults too. This is an extremely versatile resource. In fact, you can use it online or travel to one of their many locations for on-site instruction.
Plus, it’s broken down into four sessions to help you fit it into your busy schedule. As a parent, you’ll learn the following things:
- Better communication skills
- More effective discipline tactics
- Mindful parenting mantras
- Cause-and-effect parenting methods
- Problem-solving techniques
- Ways to stop peer pressure
- Step-parenting values
You’ll also receive information on teenage brain science to help you understand your kids better. Just keep in mind that you’ll probably have to review this program more than once for things to stick. So, don’t give up just because the first try didn’t work out as planned.