Some parents have asked what I cover in my parenting classes so I thought I might blog about it. Each time I teach the parenting course it seems a little different based on the individual concerns of each parent attending. However, the basic structure I use includes easy to learn play skills as well as basic parenting skills from Individual Psychology. I have also been increasingly interested (as a mother and an educator) in Happiness and Positive Psychology research and how that can help parents rear healthy, happy children. We actually cover a great deal in the 4 weeks, but it is all immediately useful for parents.

My first introduction to parenting classes was as a helper/tag-a-long for my supervisor in my first internship. I worked as an intern for 10 months at a psychiatric hospital for children. It was a painful experience to intern at this particular site, however, I came away from that experience with an understanding of the incredible benefits of play therapy and a sincere desire to run parenting classes in the future. The parenting classes my supervisor conducted were actually for a school system not far from our city. He used a 10-11 week model with the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) books. The program is still one of my favorites and a book I recommend to all parents. I used the skills we taught in the STEP classes back at the hospital with the kids. The skills became among my most useful ways of helping families. The only part I thought was missing in those classes (and in the book) was teaching parents the benefits and the basic skills of play therapy. Now, there is Filial Therapy. Filial is the practice of teaching parents to become therapeutic agents with their children through child-centered play therapy. Fabulous as Filial Therapy is - I wanted to use more of the Adlerian or Individual Psychology parenting skills in combination with Adlerian play skills to help parents with everyday life with kids. Not necessarily parents and/or children with specific issues that need therapy - but rather an overall approach to parenting and skills that parents can use all the time to have better communication, understanding and relating with their children.

I continued to study both play therapy and parent education, and use those skills in working with children and families throughout my Ph.D. program. When I completed my degree and ventured out to teach parenting classes (now with a child of my own by the way), I was more convinced than ever that combining STEP with Adlerian Play Skills was the most beneficial way to help parents. I decided to write a book with those concepts to use in my classes and hopefully help many more parents. An interesting aspect of the play skills, and really all of the parenting skills, is that while they are intellectually simple to comprehend - they take practice and are much more easily absorbed by parents if the can see them in action. Thus the DVD companion to the Come Play with Me! book was born. 

Now you have the whole story. Well, most of the story. I continue to expand my parenting classes to cover new research or information, but I have found that with the exception of the exciting research in Positive Psychology and Happiness - the Adlerian play skills and parenting skills combo cannot be beat for truly helping parents. As a new year begins, a new round of parenting classes begin - come join other eager parents as we explore together what it means to be an "effective parent".

Cheers to the New Year!