Open Paths Parenting Group

Parenting is one of the most difficult jobs, hands down. At times it can even be a thankless job. Parents juggle several different tasks in order to do what is best for their children; hence the birth of the term “super mom.” To be fair the term should be coined “super parent” because the majority of fathers juggle different tasks as well. Then, of course, life has a way of throwing in curve balls that come in the form of marital discord, divorces, single parenting, domestic violence, deaths in the family, and many more unexpected situations that occur that make parenting that much more difficult. Really, parents deserve more credit where credit is due.

For those curve balls and unexpected situations that arise, Open Paths Counseling Center provides a Parenting Group. Often times when there is marital discord, divorce, and domestic violence parenting classes become court mandated. The Parenting Group at Open Paths is court approved based on the curriculum we use, and any parent can fulfill their court requirement by attending the group. The facilitators of the group also know that having a court mandate is one extra unexpected occurrence, and are there to make the time and process easier.

The Parenting Group at Open Paths are also open to any parent that feels like they need the extra support, and wants to learn some new skills. Parenting Group is an excellent way for parents to share their experiences, hear experiences and new perspectives from other parents, and learn new skills to add to their pre-existing parenting toolbox. In the end it comes down to the added support for parents because with everything that parents have to manage now a days having that extra support is important.

Parenting is a 12 week class, but it is an ongoing, weekly group so parents who need to come more than 12 weeks can fulfill their requirement by attending as groups as needed. It is not necessary to attend all 12 classes in a row to complete; parents can miss a week if necessary and just pick up with the class the following week. Half of the group is process and the other half is curriculum. During the process part of the group parents can share what’s happening in their lives and with their children, and their hardships. During the curriculum part of the group a certain topic is covered each week, and the facilitators give the information for each topic. However, parents are asked to participate in the discussion of curriculum as well by sharing their own experiences.

Before any can start the Parenting Group, they have to complete an intake with one of the facilitators. An intake is simply the chance for one of the therapists to sit down with you one on one, get to know you better, and understand your unique situation.

Parenting Group at Open Paths is held on Tuesday mornings from 9-10:30. For more information or to get started contact: Stephanie (323) 379-9022 or Jodi (323) 739-4223.