Supporting parents with teenage children

Helping local parents to support their teenage sons and daughters - that's the focus of a series of sessions starting next week, sponsored by the Royal Borough's Extended Services.

The first session Listening and Talking to Teenagers, will be held at the Xtend Conference Centre on the Dedworth schools site in Smiths Lane, on Tuesday June 3 from 7.30 - 9pm. 

Listening and Talking to Teenagers will focus on:

• confidently communicating with your teenagers
• practising and thinking about ways of listening to your children
• recognising your own strengths
• sharing your concerns.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's services, said: "Being a parent can sometimes be challenging, and can be more so with teenage children.  As parents, we want to support and understand, but sometimes we can feel out of touch, unsure of the best approach or even isolated, wondering where and how to get advice. 

"I would like to encourage as many parents as possible to come along to these sessions, where they will have the chance to talk to others, share experiences and find out how to communicate confidently with their teenagers."

Future support sessions will be held at the centre on Tuesdays from 7.30 to 9pm:

• June 10  Drugs and Alcohol Awareness
• June 17 Sex and Relationships 
• June 24 Coping with Stress 
• July 8  Challenging Behaviour and Attitudes
• July 15  Dealing with Bullying.

All the sessions are free and refreshments will be provided.  For further information please contact Cyndy Gray, adviser for Healthy Schools, on 01628 796753 or email cyndy.gray@rbwm.gov.uk