Appendix

Strengthening the Family

A Course for Parents

Prepared by LDS Family Services

How can I benefit from this course?

This course uses a gospel perspective to offer practical help for parents. It is designed to help you:

• Understand gospel principles that guide parenting practices.

• Understand child development and have realistic expectations of your children.

• Learn to communicate more effectively with your spouse and children.

• Know how to nurture children through emotional and troubling times.

• Know how to instill confidence in children.

• Resolve anger issues that may impede effective parenting.

• Resolve parent-child conflict.

• Understand how to teach children responsible behavior.

• Use consequences in disciplining children.

• Provide a better home environment in which the Spirit of the Lord can dwell.

Who can attend?

The course is particularly beneficial for parents who are having problems and challenges with their children. In two-parent families, both husband and wife should attend to enhance skills and prevent divisiveness over their approaches to parenting. Single parents will also find this course to be very helpful.

How long does the course last?

The length of the course may vary according to the needs of its participants. Generally, nine sessions are held, one session per week. Each session is approximately 90 minutes in length.

What will be expected of me if I participate?

You should attend every meeting. You will receive and be asked to study Strengthening the Family: Resource Guide for Parents. The guide contains course information and learning activities to help strengthen your parenting skills. You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire at the end of the program to help evaluate its success. You will not be required to sign the questionnaire. All information is confidential.

What will the program cost?

A fee ofwill be charged to cover expenses.

When and where is the course being taught?

The next Strengthening the Family course is scheduled for,

beginning atat.

How can I sign up for the course or obtain more information?

Call

orat LDS Family Services,.

Who will teach the course?

A representative of LDS Family Services or a ward or stake volunteer.

Preparation List

There are many small details that contribute to a successful training course. Use the checklist below to ensure that such details are remembered.

The following items have been reserved:

• microphone or sound system

• chalk

• videos or DVDs

• easel/writing pads

• podium

• markers

• overhead projector

• blank paper

• TV and VCR or DVD player

• pencils

• chalkboard

• other:

• All necessary materials for participants have been copied and collated.

• The room has been reserved.

• The room has been set up for the expected number of participants.

• Extra chairs are available.

• Bathrooms are clean and easy to find. (If not, signs with arrows have been displayed.)

• The room air conditioner or heater has been turned on in advance so the room is comfortable.

Strengthening the Family Class Roster

Class Starting Date:

Location:

Instructor:

	Name	Phone	Address	Ages of children	Attendance
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12

Program Evaluation Form

Thank you for participating in our parenting workshop. You have invested your time in learning information and skills to improve your parenting. We would like to know if the workshop has helped you achieve that goal. Please complete this evaluation form. Do not write your name. We want you to be able to answer questions openly, without any concern about disclosing your identity. With your help, we can improve future parenting courses.

Please circle the answer in each column that best describes how well you are doing now as compared to how you were doing before taking the course.

	How I’m doing now:			Compared to before the course, I am now:
Taking time to listen to my children	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Dealing with the stress of parenting	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Emotion coaching (nurturing) my children	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Helping my children accept responsibilities	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Feeling and expressing love for my children	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Applying consequences without anger or cruelty	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Resolving parent-child conflicts	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Helping my children develop greater confidence	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better
Having realistic expectations of my children	Poor	Okay	Good	Worse	Same	Better

1. In what areas has this parenting course helped you the most?

2. In what areas do you still need help to improve as a parent?

3. How can this course be improved?

4. What did you like or not like about the instructor’s teaching style?

5. How many course lessons did you read?

   On a 1 to 5 scale, rate the value of the lessons in helping you.

   Not Helpful				Very Helpful
   1	2	3	4	5

6. Did you do the learning activities in each lesson?YesNo

   On a 1 to 5 scale, rate the value of the learning activities in helping you.

   Not Helpful				Very Helpful
   1	2	3	4	5

Strengthening the Family

This certifies that

has completed the

Strengthening the Family

Course of

LDS Family Services

Agency Director

Instructor

Date