Parenting Classes (1 session/week for 12 weeks)

Lifeline offers a 12-week parenting class series designed to help parents understand child development and behavior as well as learn effective discipline techniques. Classes are available in English and Spanish and are provided at Lifeline offices and at various locations within the community. The curriculum is approved by the County of San Diego HHSA Child Welfare Services and addresses:

• parent-child communication
• child development
• parenting styles
• discipline and punishment
• fostering self-esteem in children
• impact of divorce
• family diversity
• health and safety
• domestic violence and abusive relationships
• child abuse and maltreatment
• nutrition and exercise
• selecting quality daycare and pre-school providers

CONTACT: For more information or to enroll, call the Parenting Intake Line - (760) 842-6243.

"Parenting the Difficult Teen" Group (1 session/week for 8 weeks)

Strong-willed children and adolescents tend to expose themselves to destructive and dangerous behaviors. Knowing how to deal with these behaviors can mean the difference between life and death for these youth. Parents learn how to use love and affection, positive strokes, and appropriate consequences to motivate strong-willed children to change their behavior. The curriculum includes:

• understanding the strong-willed youth
• how to share your love with a defiant adolescent
• communicating clear rules and expectations
• addressing problematic behavior
• creating structure and following through
• creating family rules
• tools for dealing with arguments, sarcasm, chores, homework, and school performance
• dealing with extreme behaviors: fighting, lying, stealing, sexual behavior
• appropriate supervision: gangs, drugs, rave parties, and the impact of music and computers
• zero tolerance behaviors (drugs/alcohol, threats of running away or suicide, violence, criminal activity) and how to deal with them
• communication, active listening, positive and negative messages
• family meetings and togetherness
• consistency, evaluation, and resources - behaviors get worse before they get better!

CONTACT: For groups in English, please call (760) 726-4900 ext. 6332. For groups in Spanish, please call (760) 842-6217.

Adult Anger Management Group (1 session/week for 12 weeks)

Men and women learn how to more effectively deal with anger and its underlying emotions. This 12 week group is open to men and women and is court approved. There is a $40 assessment fee and a $25/per group session fee for a total cost of $340. A certificate of completion is provided to individuals who successfully complete the 12 sessions. Topics addressed include:

• aggression and the underlying emotions that lead to anger
• pro-social anger expression
• the cycle of anger and what it represents to each individual
• irrational beliefs
• coping skills for anger
• escalating and defusing behaviors
• personal cues and where they are felt within the body
• styles of communication: passive, assertive and aggressive

CONTACT: Call (760) 842-6204 for more information or to schedule an assessment.

Better Dads! Better Kids! - Empowering Fathers Program

Fathers under the age of 25 who reside in the coastal North County community, have been referred by Child Welfare Services or other agencies, or who are self-referred are provided free support services designed to help them effectively engage with their children. Goals of the program include:

• Educating fathers about effective parenting strategies that will enhance their relationships with their children.
• Increasing the fathers involvement in their children's lives and to help them take responsibility for insuring the safety of their children.
• Helping dads feel confident about their parenting skills.
• Building a support system and providing an opportunity for young fathers to share their successes and struggles with each other.
• Giving dads an opportunity to have fun with their children!

CONTACT: For more information, contact Amelia Cavallini at (760) 842-6243.