Parenting Support
Hand in Hand Parenting Classes & Consultations in the Ann Arbor Area
Every parent faces unexpected challenges, and for many of us, the emotional intensity of parenting can take our breath away, in both joyful and painful ways. The relentlessness of our children’s’ emotions and needs can feel overwhelming. Sometimes our own responses surprise or even frighten us. Join me for a class or a consultation and let the Hand in Hand Parenting approach help your family life become happier and more relaxed.
All parents deal with some level of isolation, confusion, exhaustion and guilt. You are not alone!
It’s not always easy to ask for help, or to admit that we need it. It’s not your fault that parenting is challenging. You deserve respect, support and solid information that helps you to be the parent you want to be.
Community and connection are important. From your pregnancy through the early years of your parenting, I offer groups, classes and consultations to help you understand and manage the emotional challenges of parenting. The listening tools I teach are supported by neuroscience and attachment research and will help you to feel to more confident, relaxed and playful and also pleased with yourself and your children.
Join me!
THE RESEARCH
>> 10 Tips For When Your “Gentle Parenting” Is Going Out The Window
>> Summary of research for the Hand In Hand Parenting Approach
PARENTING TOOLS
Stress-Reducing Listening Tools To Help You:
Understand children’s emotions
Know what to do when children “lose it” (or you do!)
Set limits more effectively
Support close sibling relationships.
Take the edge off your exhaustion, confusion and guilt.
Nurture yourself and your connection to your children.
Hand in Hand Parenting Starter Class
Tuesdays, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, May 22 – June 26, 2018 at Great Oak Cohousing, 500 Little Lake Drive, Ann Arbor
This six-week class will help you to reduce stress in your family and help you better understand how children’s emotions work. You will learn new ways to respond to tantrums, how to set limits effectively with both warmth and firmness and new ways to connect with your children through play. Parents have found these tools helpful with aggression, whining, power struggles, bedwetting, sleep problems, shyness and helping children with specific fears, as well as increasing the parents’ own confidence and enjoyment of their children and of parenting.
At each meeting, you will have an opportunity to learn a new listening tool and talk about your experiences trying them at home. Each parent will also have an opportunity to be listened to by other members of the group.
I had no idea we would be able to talk and share so much. I really enjoyed that support.
~ Leif, mother of three, Ann Arbor
It was valuable to hear about the struggles of other parents and having it be reinforced how much of this is “normal.”
~ Father of a 4-year-old and 6-month-old
This class is for parents only. We will meet without our children in order to talk honestly about the challenges of parenting. You will need to arrange care for your children while you are at class. The class will focus on the needs and challenges of parents of young children ages 0 – 10 years.
The class fee includes a manual and a set of “Listening to Children” booklets for each class member or couple.
Class fee: $210 per person or $335 per couple.
Space is limited to seven participants, so register early!
REGISTER FOR YOUR CLASS
Since taking this class I have more patience with my daughter. I feel more permission to parent the way I want to and not the way society tells me to.~ Mother of a 2-year-old
Understanding Tears and Tantrums Class
Mondays, 6:45 pm – 8:45 pm, June 11 – June 25, 2018 at First Steps-Ann Arbor
Intended for parents or caregivers of children ages 0-6, this 3-week parenting class wins high praise from parents. We look at the causes of children’s tantrums and learn about the 4 “Listening Tools” that help you set necessary limits with warmth and authority. You practice these skills at home with your children after the first and second classes. Classes are interactive and limited to 7 participants. We build supportive connections between participants and teach skills that help you throughout your parenting career. Participants receive 1 set of 4 Listening to Children booklets and a Parent Handbook. This is an adult-only class so we can openly discuss the challenges of parenting young children. You will need to arrange childcare for your children.
The class fee includes a manual and a set of “Listening to Children” booklets for each class member or couple.
Class fee: $110 per person or $185 per couple.
Space is limited to seven participants, so register early!
REGISTER FOR YOUR CLASS
My outlook on parenting has changed so much. I am much less negative and frustrated about parenting and see my child’s strong emotions as a strength instead of a personal failure.~ Mother of a 4-year-old and a 10 month-old
This is information that not many have but everyone needs!
~ Mother of a 3-year-old and a 1-year-old
Parenting Consultations
Private consultations for families include an email from you beforehand to describe the challenges you want help with, an in-person or online consultation of up to 90 minutes, and a follow-up phone call or email.
Families have used consultations for help with aggressive behavior, parent-child power struggles, sleep and sibling adjustment.
Fee for first consultation: $125. Additional consultations $105. Additional phone calls or emails: $30.
SCHEDULE YOUR CONSULTATION
“Since our meeting, things have been better for sure. Thank you so much for listening and offering advice. It wasn’t easy for me to admit some of the feelings I shared. I did not feel judged, though, and that means a lot to me. Thank you!”~ Jamie, father of two, Ann Arbor
Hand in Hand Parenting Skill-Building Group
This group is a great next step for people who are familiar with the Hand in Hand Parenting tools and want continued support for using the tools for themselves and with their families.
You will be able to ask questions about the challenges in your family, get some fresh Hand in Hand Parenting ideas, work on an Emotional Project, meet other parents who use Hand in Hand Parenting, and receive supportive group listening time.
This Skillbuilding Group is open to anyone who has taken a Starter Class or study group, or are willing to read the materials as you enter the group.
Location: Great Oak Cohousing, 500 Little Lake Drive, Ann Arbor MI 48103.
Groups will run for one to 1 ½ hours, depending on the size of the group.
Session 1 March – April 3 Mondays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm March 19, April 2 and 16. Fee: $30 + Hand in Hand Parenting Listening to Children booklets, $30, if you don’t already have them.
Session 2 May – June 4 Wednesdays, 7:00 – 8:30 pm May 9 and 23, June 6 and 20. Fee: $40 + Hand in Hand Parenting Listening to Children booklets, $30, if you don’t already have them.
