Last year’s parenting workshop–How to Talk so Kids will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk–was so popular all sessions had wait lists. Now, the Wilton Public Schools are offering them again.

“Kids don’t come with an owner’s manual!” It is a common lament of parents, who do their best to get by with a combination of love and instinct, but sometimes it feels like that is not enough.

Wilton Public Schools are offering help in the form of a six-week workshop called “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk.”  The program, developed by the authors of the book by the same name, uses lessons, role-play, and practice to help parents develop more effective skills for communicating with their children.

In this workshop, participants will learn how to engage their child’s cooperation, respond to negative feelings, set limits, and find alternatives to punishment. Parents will begin to understand how to resolve conflicts peacefully, develop positive family relationships, and encourage autonomy in their children.

This enormously successful program was introduced last year with funding provided through a joint initiative of the Wilton Woman’s Club and Wilton Youth Council. Both participants and facilitators shared that not only did they learn valuable skills that benefited their families, but they also developed supportive relationships with each other.

The “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk” workshop is scheduled to run three times this fall.   It will be offered again in the spring, at which time an evening option will be available.

Session 1–Tuesdays (Please note for Pre K-Grade 2 parents only)

Facilitated by:  Jim Martin, Elena White
Sept 25, Oct 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Session 2–Thursdays

Facilitated by:  Nicole Mok, Bonnie Schnitzler
Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25, Nov 1

Session 3–Mondays

Facilitated by:  Kim Zemo, Kathy Weiss
Oct 15, 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19

Time and Location: 10-11:30 a.m. at Comstock Community Center

Registration is open for all sessions.  Please call Wilton Youth Services at 203.834.6241. Email Kim Zemo with any questions about the workshop.