Tuning In To Teens™: Parenting Program
Emotionally Intelligent parenting
Term 2
Over the past few years the Counsellors have run the Tuning in to Teens parenting program for our SCEGGS parents. We have received some very positive feedback, including:
Many light bulb moments ….. made me far more aware of how I communicate
Practical examples/strategies, listening to others’ experiences (was helpful)
Books have told us what to do, these sessions covered how
It helped to be able to discuss it over a series of weeks
Group discussions with other parents the most rewarding
Parents said they noticed these changes to their family and children after participating in the program:
My children responded well and our home was a little calmer
Closer, more understanding, quicker path to restoring calm
Perhaps more tenderness and show of empathy in general
My daughter opening up more with me. I feel like I have become a better listener, and more empathetic with her
This year we are again inviting parents of students in Years 6 and 7 to take part in Tuning in to Teens. It is a six-week parenting program, aiming to help you and your daughter manage the many emotional challenges of adolescence. The program teaches skills in how to manage your own and your adolescent’s emotions in ways that help you to remain close and keep communicating. These skills are likely to help reduce conflict within your family and have been found to reduce the risk of mental health emotional problems.
What is Emotional intelligence?
The program is based on the concept of Emotional Intelligence. Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is about using your emotions to guide you through the world. It is about being able to use your own knowledge of emotions to make decisions, to calm yourself down, to manage anger and conflict, to help you in your relationships with people, to know what is happening in social situations, and to assist you in many aspects of life where you or another person are involved.
Why is Emotional Intelligence important?
Research has shown that young people with greater emotional intelligence:
- are more aware, assertive and strong in situations of peer pressure
- have greater success with making friends and are more able to manage conflict with peers
- are more able to cope when upset or angry
- have fewer mental health and emotional difficulties
- have more stable and satisfying relationships as adults
- have greater career success – Emotional Intelligence may be a better predictor of academic and career success than IQ!
When parents focus on helping their teen learn about emotions, the young person is more likely to have higher emotional intelligence. In this parenting program we will teach parents what to do to help these skills develop, and in doing so we expect teens to manage adolescence better.
Would you like to find out more?
Here is a great opportunity to learn some skills to assist your relationship with your daughter, and also to connect with other parents in a relaxed and comfortable setting.
If you are interested in participating in this parenting program, please send an email to me before Tuesday 30 April. Mrs Lauren Miles and I will be facilitating the group, commencing in Week 4 of Term 2. There will be six two-hour sessions, from 6.00 – 8.00 pm on consecutive Wednesday nights, 22 May – 26 June inclusive.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, by email or phone at school.
Janet McEwen
School Counsellor
