For many parents, raising teenagers can feel overwhelming — a stage filled with rapid change, emotional ups and downs and new challenges that don’t come with a clear roadmap. A six-week course offered by Temp Group in Woodmere is aiming to change that.
The agency’s “Active Parenting of Teens” program, led by Youth Services Social Worker Elizabeth McDonald and Prevention Supervisor and Clinical Therapist Nachma Fagin, is designed to give parents practical, research-based tools to strengthen relationships and guide their children through adolescence.
The program is part of Temp Group’s prevention efforts, focusing on building protective factors that can help reduce risky behaviors before they begin. The first session began April 16.
“It’s really part of our prevention work,” McDonald said. “Building protective factors for kids is so important when it comes to preventing misuse. And as we always say, parenting doesn’t come with a manual, it doesn’t come with a rule book.”
Over six weeks, the course takes parents through what McDonald described as an “active parenting journey,” with each session focusing on a different aspect of raising teens.
The first session introduces parenting styles and emphasizes the importance of family time, while exploring the difference between control and influence.
“A lot of times we try to control what happens with kids,” McDonald said. “But really, we have influence — and having a positive relationship with them ends up being more powerful.”
The second session focuses on cooperation and communication, helping parents identify common communication blocks and learn more effective ways to connect with their teens.
Session three shifts to responsibility and discipline, offering strategies that encourage positive behavior rather than simply punishing negative actions. It also addresses managing anger and understanding “who the problem belongs to,” giving parents a framework for responding to conflict.
Session four centers on building courage and redirecting misbehavior. Parents are introduced to concepts such as the “say, feel, do” cycle, the goals behind behavior and how to avoid power struggles. The session also includes practical family enrichment activities that can be used at home.
The fifth session tackles more serious concerns, including how to reduce the risk of drugs, violence and other high-risk behaviors. Parents are taught strategies to guide teens through difficult topics, including peer pressure and decision-making.
Throughout the program, the emphasis remains on strengthening communication and fostering a supportive, respectful relationship between parent and child.
“It covers a bunch of different topics that parents deal with,” McDonald said. “There’s a lot of focus on relationships and communication and helping parents engage more positively with their teen.”
Fagin said the course provides a space not only for learning, but also for connection among parents facing similar challenges.
“Parents often feel like they’re the only ones dealing with these issues,” she said. “This gives them a chance to learn from each other and realize they’re not alone.”
As both facilitators and parents themselves, McDonald and Fagin said the program holds personal meaning as well.
“It’s very meaningful for us to offer this and we hope it’ll be a powerful tool for parents,” Fagin added. “I think a lot of people struggle with parenting, especially every person has their own stuff that they’re dealing with.”
With continued interest from local families, Temp Group plans to expand the program and reach more parents and age groups in the months ahead.
“I think it’s incredibly valuable to be able to offer this to the community,” Fagin said. “If we can help parents feel more confident and more connected to their teens, that has a lasting impact.”
To register for the course call (516) 374-3671 or email emcdonald@tempogroup.org.
