The Partners in Parenting module was designed to address the needs and concerns of parents in

substance abuse treatment programs. The manual provides materials and instructions for leading a

workshop that focuses on concepts important for parenting effectiveness such as communication skills,

guidance techniques, and positive discipline strategies. The emphasis is on building skills, providing

support, and helping parents understand the needs and abilities of children during different stages of

development.

The manual contains materials for eight structured workshop sessions that can be implemented

according to program and participant needs. Each session includes instructions for leading the session,

along with handouts, discussion questions, and ideas for presenting information on the topics covered.

Homework assignments are included to encourage practice of parenting skills between sessions.

Articles of interest, resources for obtaining teaching materials, and a bibliography of additional

reading also are included in this manual.

The structured workshop sessions are designed for eight weekly meetings of about two

hours each.

The following topics are covered in the workshop:

 Session One: Building a Partnership

The first meeting centers on group building and introducing the philosophy and tone of the

workshop. Participants are encouraged to think about current parenting concerns and challenges,

their goals and expectations for the workshop, and the strengths and skills they contribute to the group.

 Session Two: Child Development

Effective parenting requires a clear understanding of the developmental limitations and abilities of children

 at different ages. This session focuses on child development, common parenting issues at different

developmental stages, and parental expectations. Guidance strategies for children of different ages are

introduced and discussed.

 Session Three: Family Communication: Active Listening

This session introduces participants to the skill of listening as a foundation for effective family

communication. Techniques for conveying acceptance and emotional support through active listening

skills are highlighted and participants are invited to explore their current listening style. How effective

listening can be used in various parenting situations is discussed.

 Session Four: Family Communication: Building Understanding

Continuing with the theme of family communication, this session introduces participants to speaking skills

 that help increase understanding and cooperation. The impact of nonverbal communication is emphasized,

 and parents are introduced to “I-Messages” as a strategy for communicating clearly about feelings and for

 setting limits and making requests.

 Session Five: Helping Children Behave

This session is designed to help participants master strategies for increasing desired behaviors in their

children through the use of praise, reinforcement, setting limits, redirection, and modeling. Ineffective

methods of handling children’s misbehavior are discussed and communication skills that work well for

providing child guidance are reinforced.

 Session Six: Sensible Discipline

Discipline strategies are aimed at decreasing unwanted behaviors in children. This session focuses on

techniques for effective and fair discipline, including ignoring, time out, and natural and logical

consequences. The reasons for children’s misbehavior are explored, along with common discipline

problems and recommended solutions.

 Session Seven: Self-Care for Parents

This session acknowledges the stress, insecurity, and low sense of self-esteem experienced by many

parents who feel overwhelmed by parenting responsibilities. Participants are encouraged to focus on

 self-care and to pay attention to the potential negative impacts of not caring for themselves.

Assertiveness, affirmations, time management, and strategies for dealing with the stress

that results from negative “self-talk” are addressed.

 Session Eight: Tomorrow and Beyond

The final structured session emphasizes problem-solving, planning, and encouraging resilience in

children. Parents are introduced to a problem-solving model via TCU /DATAR Manual for working

through future parenting challenges. The session also provides closure for the workshop by asking

participants to review their parenting goals from the first session, to assess progress, and to set goals

for the future. Time is allowed for a recognition activity (e. g., distributing completion certificates

or awards).

In conclusion, the Partners in Parenting workshop has been designed to guide and support parents as

they improve their communication, problem solving, and guidance skills

with their children. It is hoped that by offering a forum where recovering parents with similar concerns

can discuss options and solutions for better parenting, the result will be stronger, happier, and more

supportive families.