Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Indigo Counselling and Nampa/Northern Sunrise County Family and Community Support Services are teaming up to host a So Grown Up Workshop.
The free workshop is for parents who are raising teenagers – a feat that requires help with tricks and tips to navigate some difficult times.
“Parenting teenagers can be challenging, especially with the rapid changes in technology, social expectations, and mental health concerns,” explains FCSS director Amber Houle.
“The workshop can help parents understand these dynamics and give them the tools to support their teens effectively,” she adds.
The workshop will be held Nov. 4 from 6-8 p.m. at the St. Isidore Cultural Centre.
“Workshops like this can offer strategies to foster better communication and understanding between parents and their teens,” Houle notes.
“Many parents may feel isolated or uncertain about how to navigate complex topics,” she adds.
“The workshop will offer professional advice and shared experiences from other parents, filling a gap in knowledge and confidence.”
Houle explains the workshop aims to teach parents how to better communicate with their teens, helping to bridge the generational gap and create an environment where teens feel heard and understood.
“Parents will gain a deeper understanding of the physical, emotional, and psychological changes their teenagers are experiencing, helping them respond to these changes with empathy and patience,” she says.
“(It will) provide guidance on how to navigate issues like peer pressure, social media influence, and academic stress, which are common sources of anxiety for both parents and teens.”
The workshop will also equip parents with tools to manage and resolve conflicts.
“Participating in the workshop will also connect parents with others facing similar challenges, providing a supportive community where they can share experiences and gain reassurance that they are not alone in their struggles,” Houle explains.
“Workshops like So Grown Up, provide parents with strategies and knowledge, giving them confidence in their parenting abilities. Empowered parents are better equipped to support their teens emotionally, academically, and socially.”
Items discussed at the workshop will include adolescent development, building independence and responsibility, conflict resolution, setting boundaries, discipline strategies, encouraging healthy habits, and dealing with stress.
Individuals can register from now until the day of the workshop. Walk-ins will also be accepted. Participants can register by calling (780) 625-3287, or by emailing Houle at houle@northernsunrise.net