Program helps parents with teens Program helps parents with teens (October 12, 2005)

Parents are invited to participate in a series of programs called "3 STEPS to parenting teens," to be presented this month by the Sequoia Union High School District and a Santa Clara-based business called Goodparents Inc.

The series begins Thursday, October 13, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the new Sequoia district office at 480 James Ave. in Redwood City, and continues October 20 and 29 at the same time and place.

Parents may register online at goodparentsinc.com or sign up at the first session. The fee is $129 for one parent and $59 for the second parent. Scholarships are available.

"Parenting today requires new skill sets, not required of parents in the past," said Dorothy Burnside, Sequoia's director of parent education. "Changes in technology and in the family structures have added challenges and left us with little time to parent."

The series aims to help parents better understand their teens, build trust, and learn effective communication skills to help teens deal with difficult decisions they face daily.

Joe Connolly, a teacher, coach and community volunteer, co-founded Goodparents Inc. in 2002. For information, go to goodparentsinc.com or call Dorothy Burnside at 369-1411, ext. 2317.

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