Parent University XII
Workshop Listing
(schedule subject to change)

“10 Ways to Keep Your Teens Safe” by Andre Salvage

A dynamic lecture for parents on the 10 things you can do to keep your teenagers safe. Additionally, the lecture will provide ways to discuss these principles with your teenagers.
 

“Alcohol and Other Drugs: What’s ‘Really Going On’ With Teen Culture” by Bruce Chernack, M.F.T.

Explore what is really going on with alcohol and other drugs, parties, curfews, and teen life in general. We will develop strategies regarding how to talk to your children about these difficult issues, and to empower you to be able to set limits and make better parenting decisions. Be ready with your questions! Much of our discussion will be based on what you want to know.
 

“Be the Change” by Johnathan Kathrein

This presentation will discuss the social and emotional challenges faced by young people today. There is a special emphasis on leadership and resolving conflict. There will be 45 minutes of engaging material followed by a Q & A session, as well as discussion of topics presented.
 

“Body Empowerment: Raising Teens with Positive Body Image” by Shannon Meyers

This workshop will focus on the three principles of Beyond Hunger’s non-diet approach. Parents will learn about Body Acceptance (developing acceptance of our natural body sizes), Intuitive Eating (eating when you’re hungry, stopping when you’re full), and Emotional Wisdom (addressing issues underlying over and under eating). Parents will be given tools for preventing identifying disordered eating behaviors and resources for support.
 

“Bullies: Their Making and Unmaking” by Todd Sarner, MA

Bullying behavior is clearly on the rise in our culture, but very few people understand the roots of this phenomenon or what to do about it. Many of the interventions we use in our schools to stop bullying are just leading to more sophisticated forms of psychological and emotional bullying - often using technology like instant messaging and MySpace. In this talk we will examine the bullying syndrome and it’s roots in the dynamics of attachment and vulnerability.
 

“C.O.O.L. Parent - Teen Communication” by Mary Jane DeWolf

Tired of your teen’s bickering, sarcasm, eye rolling, and flat out rudeness? Join us to learn fool proof skills to cut through chaotic contention and establish respectful and productive communication with your kids (and all others in your life.)
 

“How Shall Our Sons Become Men?” by Trout Black, M.S., M.F.T.

This workshop addresses the questions that parents struggle with as they consider what it really means to love their sons, sons who process differently than girls and have different needs. You will learn how to stay ahead of your son’s development, and you will be given concrete tools, answers, and strategies to help your sons grow into healthy, respectful, young men.
 

“How to Handle Teen Resistance” by Trevor Bridgewater

The adolescent years can be a time of great resistance to adult influence and connection, but at the same time the adolescent needs us more than ever. In this workshop, we will discuss some of the developmental reasons for this resistance and what we can do to maintain connection and lessen conflict with the teens in our life.

“MARIN TEEN MENTAL HEALTH” by Janet Taylor, Suicide Prevention Center and members of the Marin Teen Mental Health Board

The Marin Teen Mental Health Board was formed two years ago and is comprised of Marin High School students, mental health professionals and parents. Presenters will discuss the warning signs of depression, where to go for help, and what families/friends can do to help in times of tragedy. There will be a question and answer period.
 

“My Child Has Been Suspended From School. What Now? Better Ways To Communicate With Your Child” by Keith Jackson

This workshop will offer alternatives for your suspended child and communication skills for parents, youth, & teachers. We will discuss what youth go through today and how important it is for them to be heard, acknowledged and respected.
 

“Not Everyone is Straight: The Lives of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth” by Sam Davis

This workshop will provide participants with some basic information about sexual orientation and gender identity including definitions, an overview of what school is typically like for LGBT young people, and a guest youth speaker from Spectrum’s Youth Bureau. Participants will learn how to be supportive of LGBT youth, typical family and friend reactions to a youth “coming out”, and resources available in the community. Participants will also learn about California laws which protect LGBT students in public schools.
 

“Relationship Smarts: Teaching Our Daughters About The Boyfriend/ Girlfriend Zone” by Annie Fox, M.Ed.

Explore the social and emotional development of 11 to 16 year old girls with an eye toward supporting them through the challenging Boyfriend/Girlfriend zone. This workshop will help you help your daughters recognize how peer pressure and their need for approval can work against their self respect.
 

“Retos y Riesgos de la Adolencia: Ideas y Herramientas para apoyar el desarollo emocional y social de nuestros jovenes” por Marisol Munoz~Kiehne, PhD

Presenatremos estrategias de comunicacion efectiva y disciplina positive para ayudar a nuestros jovenes a lidiar con asuntos tales como el sexo y pandillas. Facilitaremos un mejor entedimiento de las experiencias y necesidades de la adolescencia, ya que los jovenes aun necesitan la buena influencia de los adultos.
 

“Special Needs-Special Concerns: At-Risk Youth with AD/HD and/or Emotional Disabilities” by Lynne Wasley

Families who have children with AD/HD or emotional disabilities already face many challenges. When adolescence is added to the picture it may mean many new complications. This presentation will cover some options and strategies for parents of children with AD/HD and/or emotional disabilities to help resolve and possibly avoid some of those challenges.
 

“Teen Internet Use: Magic or Mayhem?” by Michael Grogan, Ph.D.

Teens are communicating in ways foreign to previous generations. In an instant a message can be sent to hundreds, even thousands of “friends”. Teens report developing close and “loving” Internet relationships with people they never met. Graphic pornographic images are readily available 24-7 that depict a variety of sexual acts. This wonderful technology presents as many challenges to parents as opportunities to teens. Given the sometimes faulty and impulsive decision making of adolescents, Internet participation can potentially lead to significant negative consequences for the unwary youngster. We will address these and other concerns parents may have about their teens.
 

“The “RIGHT” Way for Divorced Families to be Respectful and Resourceful” by Dr. Mark Schillinger

Divorced parents need not feel guilty or handicapped in their abilities to create healthy households because they are raising their children separately. Families will learn the principles and practices of the RIGHT Way method, which will prevent parents and children from trying to fix or control each other and allow each family member to develop their individual authenticity and integrity.
 

"'The Talk' - Useful Guidelines for Talking with Your Teen About
S-E-X" by Huckleberry Youth Program and a Panel of Local Teens

We all remember "The Talk" that many of our parents had (or didn't have) with us. Delivered with the best of intentions, it was often awkward, embarrassing and inadequate. This workshop will present useful tips on how parents and caregivers can have more in-depth, frequent and meaningful discussions with their kids - especially their teens - about sex, sexual identity, relationships and decision-making. Parents will have the opportunity to question and hear feedback from a panel of teens on what has not worked in discussing sex with their parents and caregivers.

 

“We Started Using and Our Parents Didn’t Know: The Real Story on Marin Teen Alcohol and Drug Use” by Scott Spicer, Alissa Ralston and a Panel of Local Teens

You know your teens might be experimenting with alcohol and tobacco but do you know why, where, and how they get these drugs? Do you know how you can prevent them from having a problem, or facing the many negative consequences with alcohol and tobacco drug use? This session will answer those questions and more, as well as give you some tools to talk to your teens about alcohol and tobacco.
 

“What Happened To My Child: How Did I Go From Hero To Zero?” by Phil Steiner & Benjamin Kerns

Remember coming home from work and having your child run to the door to give you a hug and beg for your attention and love? Now your child comes home from a long day at school and wants little to do with you. How did you go from HERO to ZERO in such a short time? We will explore the psychological, sociological, and practical realities of this phenomenon and discuss some real world solutions to regain HERO status in your children’s eyes.
 

“When Good Kids Do Bad Things” by Jeffrey Lieken

From simple stupid lies about homework being done when it isn’t, to extreme dangerous risk taking with cars, drugs, or sex, many otherwise “good kids” surprise us with choices to behave in ways we never expected from them. Learn how often the exact things adults do to keep kids on track are in fact contributing to the likelihood of them going astray. Find out what cutting edge research reveals about the myths and realities of teen decision making, especially how peer pressure plays less of a role than people think. Lastly, gain provocative insights into what compels some teens to choose an uncompromising path towards success, even when the majority around them don’t.