January Classes and Programs at Parents Place Marin

Parents Place in San Rafael has been a valuable resource for countless Marin County parents and families. They offer a wide variety of programs and classes for parents and children throughout the year. Here are a few of the classes they are offering for the month of January, including a Girls Leadership Parent and Daughter series, a free New Moms' Tea, and a free webinar on navigating technology for parents of school-age children.

Positive and Effective Discipline: A Crash Course (3–5 years)

Tuesday, January 12, 7–9 pm
Starting with a basic understanding of developmental norms for 3- to 5-year-olds, we will break down the components of discipline-communication, listening, modeling, consequences, and more-to learn about improving limit-setting, encouraging responsibility, and fostering communication. With Susan Byrd, LCSW. $45. Register here.

Your One-Year Old: What to Expect (6–24 months)

Thursday, January 14, 7–9 pm

Developmental milestones, sleeping and eating behaviors, social and emotional development, and beginning limit-setting. With Bonnie Romanow, BA, childhood development specialist. $45. Register here.

Girls Leadership Parent and Daughter Series: Tools for Sunny and Cloudy Days with Friends: 4 week series (girls 5–6 years and their parent)

Tuesday, January 19–February 9, 4:30–5:30 pm
It's never too early to start to learn and practice social-emotional intelligence skills. Parents and daughters will bond and explore healthy relationships through exciting interactive games and engaging stories. Girls and parents will build the foundation of a common language to advocate for themselves and understand true friendship behaviors.  Week One: Friendship Toolbox; Week Two: Sharing Feelings and Body Language; Week Three: Mistakes, We All Make 'Em;  and Week Four: Courageous Friendships. $180 per adult/girl pair for four-week series. Register here.

Girls Leadership: Parent and Daughter Series: Say How You Feel, Ask For What You Need (girls 9–10 years and their parent)

Tuesday, January 19–February 9, 6–7:30 pm
Fourth and fifth grade are often the school years in which girls experience significant shifts in their self-confidence and increasing social pressures to conform. It is this transitional age at which girls' voices tend to become silenced. Parents and daughters will practice using the skills of assertive self-expression through activities, discussion, and paired scenarios. The workshop gives girls and parents the opportunity to have fun, bond, and work together to explore the importance of healthy and productive conflict. Week One: Assertive Self-Expression; Week Two: Emotional Intelligence at Home; Week Three: Owning Our Mistakes; Week Four: Road Map for Conflict. $210 per adult/girl pair for four-week series. Register here.

New Moms' Tea (pre-crawling babies)

Wednesday, January 20, 10:30 am–noon

Join us for a New Moms' Tea for an opportunity to discuss the joys and challenges of becoming a parent and to meet other new moms. We will discuss your favorite parental finds (i.e., baby gear, stroller friendly hikes, childcare options) as well as share about local resources supporting young families. Babies welcome. With Rebecca Breen, LCSW. Free, but preregistration required.

Bye Bye Diapers

Wednesday, January 20, 7–9 pm

Toilet learning can cause confusion and tears in toddlers and parents alike. This workshop will give you important information on this developmental stage, and strategies to prepare you to undertake the task!  Topics include: assessing readiness, reviewing various toilet-training techniques, setting the stage for learning, dealing with resistance, and more. With Susan Byrd childhood development specialist. $45. Register here.

Girls Leadership Parent and Daughter Series: Nine Tools for True Friendship (girls 7–8 years and their parent)

Thursday, January 21–February 11, 6–7:30 pm
Like any pursuit - soccer, dance, or writing poetry - developing social-emotional intelligence and learning authentic self-expression takes practice. Through fun and interactive games and discussions, parents and daughters will learn and practice how to explore and share feelings, communicate authentically, and make healthy relationship choices. Week One - Standing Up For Yourself; Week Two - Sharing Feelings; Week Three - Double Sorry; and Week Four - Choices for Friend Trouble. $210 per adult/girl pair for four-week series. Register here.

Raising Boys (infant–13 years)

Thursday, January 21, 7–9 pm

There's no denying that boys and girls have different brain structures and developmental paths. Learn more about these distinctions, the best ways to guide your sons effectively and respectfully, and the most effective techniques for communicating with them. You will leave with a better understanding of what boys need from us, when they need it, and how to provide it. Get the tools and encouragement you need to raise a thoughtful, respectful, and empowered young man! With Tom Limbert, MA, author and parent coach. $45. Register here.

Infant and Child CPR (for expectant parents, parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children up to onset of puberty)

Sunday, January 24, 10 am–noon
Learn to recognize an infant or child in distress, rescue measures for choking, CPR techniques, and infant sleep safety. Includes hands-on practice with mannequins. One-year certification provided. Pre-crawling babies welcome. With Shanda Manion, CPR instructor certified by the American Heart Association in basic life support. $45. Register here.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk Part 1: Sunday Intensive (3–10 years)

Sunday, January 24, 10–4:30 pm
Are you getting worn down by bedtime challenges, morning-rush madness, dawdling, whining, and other challenging behaviors? Do you find yourself too often resorting to threats, bribes, or raised voices? Learn practical strategies to improve cooperation and discipline, strengthen character, and enhance your relationships at home. Based on the bestsellers by Faber and Mazlish, this entertaining workshop consistently receives rave reviews. Here's what one participant said:  "... immensely helpful, practical, and insightful." With Julie King, parent educator and "How to Talk" trainer. Usually a four-week series, this workshop is being offered as a one-day intensive for those who can't attend for four weeks. One person: $199. Couple: $299. Register here.

Proven Solutions to Puzzling and Challenging Behaviors: Part 1 (1–7 years)

Monday, January 25, 7–9 pm
Does your child have epic meltdowns? Is he clumsy, clingy, or picky about clothes or shoes? Does she bite, chew clothing, or frequently bump into people or things? Children can be baffling, often leaving parents struggling to manage their behaviors and responding to their needs.  Here comes help: Parents Place's Proven Solutions Class, which offers scientific explanations for children's puzzling behaviors. A child therapist and occupational therapist team up to offer clear explanations, up-to-date research, strategies, and examples that bring proven methods to life. You will leave with a whole new understanding of why children behave the way they do and tools you can use when your child exhibits problematic behaviors. With Alyse Clayman, LCSW and Martha Fine, MA OTR/L. $45. Register here.

Free Webinar: Navigating Technology Use in Our 24/7 Plugged-in World: What Parents of School Age Children Need to Know (all ages)

Wednesday, January 27, noon to 1 pm

In this workshop parents will discuss the everyday challenges of raising school age children in our highly technological, social media driven world. According to a recent study by Common Sense media, children age 8-18 are averaging 9 hours of screen time per day. In this class, parents will learn:

• What children need for healthy development everyday
• How to implement safe and reasonable boundaries for use of technology at home
• How to develop a home usage plan for parents and for children
• How families can rekindle the practice of unplugged time together
• How much privacy on technology is appropriate for children of different ages

With Mechele Pruitt, BA. Free. Register here.

Get Your Young Child to Listen (1–6 years)

Wednesday, January 27, 7–9 pm
Having trouble getting your little ones to listen?  Want to build a lifelong relationship based on mutual respect, honest communication, and genuine trust?  During this class, local parenting author and educator Tom Limbert, MA, will help you better understand your child, instruct you about common parenting pitfalls, and provide concrete tips for communicating effectively with young children.  Using basic principles of human nature, Tom will offer you a clear plan for motivating your child to listen and cooperate. $45. Register here.

Infant and Child CPR (for expectant parents, parents, grandparents, and caregivers of children up to onset of puberty)

Sunday, January 31, 10 am–noon
Learn to recognize an infant or child in distress, rescue measures for choking, CPR techniques, and infant sleep safety. Includes hands-on practice with mannequins. One-year certification provided. Pre-crawling babies welcome. With Shanda Manion, CPR instructor certified by the American Heart Association in basic life support. $45. Register here.