Parent Empowerment University Returning This Month; Workshops Announced And Registration Open

Newtown Parent Connection, Inc, in partnership with Brookfield Substance Abuse Coalition and SMART, Inc (Southbury/Middlebury Acting Responsibly Together), will present Parent Empowerment University on Saturday, March 24, at Newtown Middle School.

The morning and early afternoon program is offered to parents who wish to be proactive and learn positive parenting strategies for raising children of all ages.

The program — which includes breakfast and lunch, a keynote presentation by Bonnie Harris, MS Ed, and a pair of 90-minute workshops — is open to all parents seeking higher education and more effective skills in the ever-changing and challenging field of child rearing.

This year’s keynote speaker is the award-winning author of When Kids Push Your Buttons. She is a parent educator, counselor, and coach who received her master’s degree from Bank Street College in New York City. She founded The Parent Guidance Center and has designed numerous parenting workshops, including her popular When Your Kids Push Your Buttons, which inspired her book of the same name. The mother of two grown children, she lives with her husband in New Hampshire

“In my 25 years of experience working with parents all over the world, I have learned that the key to understanding children lies in the perception that your child’s resistance or defiance means your child is having a problem, not being a problem,” said Ms Harris. “Your child’s behavior is your clue to turn your anger into compassion and your child’s resistance to cooperation.”

Ms Harris will use this idea as both her keynote and welcoming remarks at 8:45 am. as well as for the workshop she will be offering. Nine additional workshops are available for parents to choose from this year.

While parents are attending the program, Kids University is offered for children with a variety of fun, age appropriate activities for ages 3–11.

Parent Empowerment University will open with registration and breakfast from 8 to 8:40. Ms Harris will offer her keynote remarks at 8:45, and then Session I will begin at 10.

Lunch will be served from 11:30 until 12:15, and then Session II will convene at 12:15.

Registrants may choose two workshops from among this year’s course offerings.

Tuition is $5 per adult, which can be paid during registration through PayPal with any major credit card. There is no charge for children attending Kids University. The middle school is at 11 Queen Street.

Complete details are available at NewtownBee.com (click on the Features tab to find a full listing of the 2012 course offerings and links for registration) and NewtownParentConnection.org, where registration can also be done. For additional information call Newtown Parent Connection, Inc, at 203-270-1600 and leave a message for Joan.