'Dr. Mike' talks about teens at PTA forum 'Dr. Mike' talks about teens at PTA forum (February 25, 2004)

Michael Riera, an author of books on teenagers, returns to Portola Valley on Thursday, March 4, as a speaker in the parent education series sponsored by the Portola Valley PTA.

His topic is how parents and teachers can nurture character and morality in children by teaching them how to respond to life's struggles.

"We are absolutely delighted to bring back one our most popular parent education speakers," said Lenora Yuen, PTA vice president in charge of the series.

The program, open to the public, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Corte Madera School's multi-use room, 4195 Alpine Road in Portola Valley. A donation of $5 is requested at the door.

"Teenagers are complex, but they are not impossible to understand," said Dr. Riera, who holds a doctor's degree is psychology and has worked 19 years as a school counselor. His most recent are "Staying Connected with Your Teenager" and "Right From Wrong: Instilling a Sense of Integrity in Your Child."

"Parenting a teenager means thinking and acting more in terms of influence than control -- easy to say, tough to do," said Dr. Riera.

He is the parenting correspondent for the "CBS Saturday Early Show," and hosts the "Life in Progress" show on the Oxygen Cable Network and the radio show, "Family Talk with Dr. Mike."

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