Let’s face it: the realities of parenting and family life can be tough. It’s normal to feel challenged sometimes. Much of the time, we feel able to deal with the stresses on our own, or with the help of extended family or friends. Sometimes, though, it is very helpful to get an outside perspective, to find new ways of addressing a situation, or to help you through an area of your family life where you feel “stuck”.

Since kids and families don’t come with a manual, our Parenting programs can help. Our Parenting Programs bring people together to learn practical strategies that help them get along better in family relationships. We offer a range of services and styles, so that there is something that meets everyone’s needs.

Services for Parents

Parenting Edge workshops are part of a full range of Parenting programs offered by Family Services à la famille Ottawa.

At Parenting Edge workshops and courses, you can share in the joys and challenges of raising kids with others who are experiencing the same:

Discipline – how can you make it work in a positive way?
Creative problem solving – how do you help your child succeed?
Communication – do your styles collide; are you/they being heard?
Dealing with feelings – theirs and yours!

Courses offered include:

Discipline that doesn’t hurt … anyone
On Middle Ground ... parenting 6 - 12 year olds
Teens ... the great parenting challenge
Parenting through separation and divorce
Anger management ... especially for parents
Just for Dads ... parenting when you're single
Parenting your Anxious Child

Year at a Glance

Fall

Just For Dads...parenting when you're single: Wednesdays, September 15th - November 3rd 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Anger Management...especially for parents: Tuesdays, October 5th - November 9th 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.

Parenting Your Anxious Child: Thursdays, October 14th, 21st and 28th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Discipline that Doesn't Hurt...anyone: Mondays, October 18th - November 15th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

On Middle Ground...parenting 6 - 12 year olds: Tuesdays, November 23rd - December 21st 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Parenting with Confidence: Wednesdays, November 10th - january 19th (December 29th excluded) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Winter/Spring 2010-2011

Just for Dads...parenting when you're single: Wednesdays, February 2nd - March 30th (March 16 excluded) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Parenting through Separation and Divorce: Tuesdays, February 8th - March 8th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Parenting your Anxious Child: Mondays, February 21st, 28th, and March 7th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Teens...the great parenting challenge: Thursdays, March 3rd - April 7th (March 17th excluded) 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Spring

On Middle Ground...parenting 6 - 12 year olds: Tuesdays, March 29th - April 26th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

C.A.S. - Parenting with Confidence: Wednesdays, April 13th - June 15th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Discipline that Doesn't Hurt...anyone: Thursdays, May 19th - June 16th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Parenting your Anxious Child: Tuesdays, May 10th, 17th and 24th 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

A complete description of parenting programs currently offered is available on our Schedule of Current Events.

Services for Organizations

Under the expert direction of facilitators from Family Services à la famille Ottawa, the following one to two-hour interactive workshops are available for presentation to your group or organization. We offer valuable "tips and techniques" on a wide variety of parenting issues.

If there are other subjects that interest you, pelase let us know and we can customize a workship to meet your needs.

Our most popular workshops are:

Beyond time outs
Anger management for parents
Anger answers for children
Building your child’s self esteem
Parenting … it’s a tough job
Creative problem solving for parents
Skills for Life
Parenting Teens

Please see our Parenting Edge Workshop List for complete descriptions.

Services for Families Involved with CAS

We also offer programs free of charge for parents who are involved with the Children’s Aid Society. The Parenting With Confidence and Just for Dads...parenting when you're single series have both been designed to address the specific needs and challenges of parents who are involved with the Children's Aid Society.

A complete description of the Parenting with Confidence and Just for Dads Solution Series is available on our Schedule of Current Events.

General Program Information

Our dynamic team, led by respected parent educator, Margo Sargent, bring an average of 15 years experience in helping parents become more confident and successful and helping families become stronger and thrive.

Our Team

Margo Sargent has made a career of helping families; she has over 20 years of expertise in parenting education, behaviour management and helping families in crisis. Her professional experience includes working with adolescents in residential care, advocating on behalf of youth and their families, youth counselling and family coaching. In addition Margo taught part-time for more than 12 years at the college level and as a professional consultant she designs and leads workshops and training seminars throughout Ontario. Margo currently coordinates the Parenting Programs at Family Services à la famille Ottawa. She also has her own well established coaching practice – The Parenting Coach – helping parents find solutions to their parenting challenges. A mother of 2, Margo knows firsthand the challenges and joys of parenting which helps her educate on important family issues with sensitivity, straightforwardness and a healthy sense of humour.

Elke Keating brings over 20 years experience working with families and children in a variety of settings. She worked for eight years as an early childhood educator developing, implementing and supervising programs for children from infancy to youth. She has been a counselor and facilitator as part of a team responsible for group facilitation and counseling to individuals, families and children; public education; and community outreach. Most recently, Elke has been developing and facilitating various school-based programs and parenting workshops. She holds a B. A. in psychology and a Master’s degree in education.

Betsy Mann is a Certified Canadian Family Educator. For over 16 years, she has facilitated workshops for parents of children of all ages, from birth to adolescence, as well as for caregivers in home- and centre-based child care settings. These workshops are delivered through a variety of community organizations, school boards and Early Years Centres in Ottawa, in Eastern Ontario and in the Outaouais region. She is editor of the quarterly newsletter of the Canadian Association of Family Resource Programs and also writes in the areas of child development and family support. Her publications include 14 modules in a training program for home child care providers, a handbook for facilitators of parenting groups and a literature review in the field of parent education for vulnerable populations. She also writes handy resource sheets for parents, of which many are available online at www.parentsmatter.ca.

Tim Paquette brings years of experience in parenting, especially with respect to father involvement. He coordinated a national project called “My Daddy Matters Because…”, a framework that promotes and acknowledges the role of fathers. He is currently chair of the Father Involvement Initiative-Ontario (FII-ON). Tim has facilitated workshops on father involvement locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Jane Trakalo has worked in the field of Social Services for over 17 years. She has worked with high risk youth in residential care, with children and families involved with the Children’s Aid Society as a front line child protection worker and a supervisor, and as a professor of child & youth work at Algonquin College. Jane is a certified trainer of Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, holds a Bachelor and Master Degree in Social Work from McGill University, and holds a Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution from the Faculty of Law at Carleton University.

Susan Duke is and Early Childhood Educator with extensive experience spanning 30 years. Susan has worked as a teacher in Day Care and Nursery School as well as a Program Director for 2 local Day Cares. Over the past 18 years she has worked as a Family Resource Coordinator and Parent Educator for Ontario Early Years as well as in the workplace.

Joanne Boyd is an Early Childhood Educator who has been working in the childcare sector for over 10 years. She has worked in daycare centres, home daycare, schools and family resource centres with children of all ages. Joanne is a vibrant and experienced facilitator who has delivered engaging workshops to diverse groups of adults and children.

Languages

All of the family life education programs are offered in English.

Locations

Most workshops and courses are offered at Family Services à la famille Ottawa at 312 Parkdale Avenue (click here for map), or at the offices of our community partners. We can also deliver a workshop or course on location at your workplace or organization.

Hours of Services

Workshops, courses, and groups are offered in both the daytime and the evening. See the Schedule of Current Events for details.

Costs/Fees

We charge $125 per person or $225 per couple for a 5-week workshop series. Subsidies are available if you are unable to pay the full workshop fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How big are the classes?

Depending on the topic, you can expect a group size ranging from six to sixteen people.

When do I pay the fee?

To guarantee a space, payment should be received prior to the start of your course or workshop. We accept Cash, cheque, Debit, Mastercard and Visa as method of payment.

What if I can’t pay the workshop fee?

If you cannot afford to pay for a course or workshop, we may negotiate a reduced fee with you. We keep a certain number of fully-subsidized available for each course.

No one is refused service on the basis of ability to pay. You may be placed on a waiting list if the number of subsidized spaces have already been filled.

What kinds of information will you collect about me?

For each course, we maintain attendance lists with basic contact information (name, address, phone number, emergency contact). We do not keep records about the specific things you say in our groups, or about your progress.

Upon request, we will provide you with a letter confirming your attendance at a workshop or group series.

Is there parking available?

Yes, visitor parking is available in the lot beside our building at 312 Parkdale. There is also on-street parking around the building.

What can I expect when I come to a course?

You can expect professional-quality facilitation, knowledgeable workshop leaders, dynamic discussions, and individualized attention. Our facilitators will adjust the course content to the particular needs and interests of the participants, so if you have come with a particular interest, make sure you let us know.

What topics will be covered?

The topics covered depend on the actual course or workshops. See our course descriptions in the Schedule of Current Events for details.

Register Now

When it comes to raising kids, we can all use some help. Don't delay! Register today and be encouraged by the positive turn your parenting will take. Contact us at parenting@familyservicesottawa.org, or telephone 613-725-3601, extension 207.