Parenting Resources

Parents need just as much guidance and support as youth do.

Parents are their children’s first and most important teachers. But sometimes, they need a little extra help dealing with the challenges that arise. They need the opportunity to learn effective parenting strategies, build skills, and discuss their issues with other parents.

Friends of Youth offers several parenting education classes throughout our community that provide the tools parents need to encourage the development of strong healthy families.

STEP (Systemic Training for Effective Parenting) classes:
Parents of Teens (Open to parents of 13-19 year-olds)
Curriculum: Move from conflict to connection with your teen Reduce power struggles and acting out behaviors Create mutual respect and build responsibility Help boost your teen's self-esteem Practical strategies to deal with sex, drugs, and alcohol
Parents of 2-12 year-olds
Curriculum: Positive ways to discipline your children How to give children room to make choices and mistakes How to turn anxiety about parenting into confidence Practical & workable skills you can start using today
These classes are offered at our Issaquah Offices at 414 Front St., Issaquah, WA 98027. They are $45 for individuals and $60 for couples (scholarships are available). For class availability and times, please contact Casey at casey@friendsofyouth.org or you can click here.

Prevention Parenting classes:
Guiding Good Choices (Open to parents of 9-14-year-olds)
Curriculum: Getting Started: How to Prevent Drug Use (local data and brain research) Setting Guidelines: How to set healthy beliefs & clear standards Managing Conflict: How to Control & Express Anger Involving Everyone: How to Strengthen Family Bonds Avoiding Trouble: How to Say No to Drugs (youths attend this session)
Staying Connected with Your Teen (Open to parents of 14-17-year-olds)
Curriculum: Teen Development: Risk & Protective Factors Conducting Family Meetings & Parenting Styles Communication, Anger Control, Managing Conflict Setting Family Policies: Involving Your Teen in the Family (teens attend this session) Refusal Skills: Noninvasive Supervision (teens attend this session)
These research-based prevention programs are offered free of charge in Riverview, Issaquah and Snoqualmie Valley School Districts. For class availability, times and location, contact Phoebe at phoebe@friendsofyouth.org or you can click here. These programs are sponsored by King County’s Alcohol & Other Drug Prevention Program, with funds from the State of Washington DSHS Division of Alcohol & Substance Abuse, King County Community Organizing Program, Snoqualmie Valley Community Network and local PTSAs. Note: Donations of $15.00 will be accepted to cover the fee of the Family Guide.

Other classes:
Internet Safety What Parents Need to Know
Curriculum: How offenders use today's technologies to groom, manipulate and undermine victims The social networking technology that many adolescents are using today MMORPGS and console gaming Indicators for parents that your child is at risk for online victimization Available resources that make our lives easier and safer
May 14, 6:3- - 8:30 pm Friends of Youth Issaquah Office 414 Front Street, Issaquah, WA 98027 Space is limited! Please call to reserve a set today: (425) 392-6367

Substance Abuse Prevention Web Sites for Parents

TheAntiDrug.com is a service of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign, offering a wide range of resources, information and facts for parents. (En Español : LaAntidroga.com)

Family.samhsa.gov is a service of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration, created to support the efforts of parents and other caring adults in promoting mental health and preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco and illegal drugs among 7-to-18-year-olds.