On February 17th: 'Practical Parenting Solutions' at Five Seasons Northbrook

Harmony in the home, particularly as children are growing up and going through dramatic change, doesn’t happen by accident. Keeping chaos and discord at bay takes looking at parenting in a new way.

Toward that end, a local mother and certified parenting coach is leading a seven-part series at Five Seasons Family Sports Club in Northbrook that debuts on Wednesday, February 17th.

Debra Kocis, a certified Active Parenting Inspirational Leader, leads “Practical Parenting Solutions” at the club, 1300 Techny Road, starting at 6 p.m. It is a 2 ½-hour session, including appetizers, with the six subsequent Wednesday evenings, through March 30th, featuring the same timeframe.

Kocis grew up with four brothers and is the mother of one child. As owner of Healthy Parenting 360!, she has helped numerous parents and others who interact with children. She was introduced to the course in 1997, when her daughter was eight years old, and quickly developed a passion for not only implementing the teachings, but sharing them with others.

Her audiences have included parents, grandparents, teachers, coaches, and pediatric and developmental therapists.

“I love showing people how to raise successful, resilient, children and fill their home with harmony instead of chaos,” says Kocis. “This course helps people with any relationship: spouses, siblings, coworkers, parents, and even bosses.”

Participants will discover new methods and skills to instill courage, cooperation, responsibility, respect and high self-esteem in children, said Kocis. The teachings cover essential character traits and evidence-based non-violent discipline techniques. Children and parents will also learn good communication, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

The program includes workbooks, guides, videos, slide presentations and lively discussion, with in-class and at-home activities that put the skills into practice for each family.

“As the series goes on, we will discuss their successes and learn from each home activity,” Kocis says. “There are too many bullies, teen suicides and unhappy families. It’s incredible when I see a parent look at parenting, and their children, in a new way.”

The program, created by Dr. Michael Popkin, is taught nationwide and is listed on the National Registry of Evidenced-based Programs & Practices.

To register, please call 847-897-5037, or email Chris Johnson at cjohnson@fiveseasonssportsclub.com. The registration deadline is February 12th. The fee is $40 per person, per class, plus $25 for two books that are provided. Free appetizers from Five Seasons are also provided.

For more information about Healthy Parenting 360, email healthyparenting360@gmail.com or visit https://www.facebook.com/healthyparenting360

Five Seasons Northbrook can be reached at 847-897-5030 or online at http://www.fiveseasonssportsclub.com/northbrook/