Parents given teaching opportunity

"Limits While Staying Connected," a talk for parents, will be presented by David Haddad and Emmy Rainwalker at Ashburnham Community Church on Sunday, Jan. 14, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

The event is free.

Developmental psychology has consistently demonstrated that the parent-child connection is fundamental to raising healthy children and protecting them from dysfunctional and sometimes dangerous future behaviors.

Children are loving, passionate experimenters and all children (like adults) experience times when they become unreasonable. Their behavior goes "off track" and they do things that don't work and make people angry.

This is when they need adults to set limits for them, to help them find their way out of the "behavior trap" they have fallen into.

The task is complicated because their behaviors often evoke feelings of frustration, anger, powerlessness in adults.

This talk will give some hands-on techniques about how to set firm limits while showing caring and kindness. This leads to positive self-esteem and confidence in children while strengthening the parent-child connection.

David Haddad, Ed.D. is a psychologist and family therapist with over 25 years of experience working with children, families, school systems and organizations.

Emmy Rainwalker, LICSW, is a clinical social worker working with children, adults and families. She has been teaching parenting skills for over 25 years.