After the long holiday break, family tensions can reach a boiling point---- everyone might be glad that school has started back up again! Ultimately as parents, we want family harmony and children who understand the difference between right and wrong. Unfortunately, our discipline methods don't always support this. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to reduce family stress, now and in the year ahead. For tips and strategies, click here.

Based on requests, YES has expanded our services to include classes to help parents. Our first series, which is based on the positive parenting approach recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, will help parents create and sustain positive relationships with their children.  Classes will be taught by Jennifer Watanabe, Certified Parent Coach at YES and a ParentMap contributor.

There are several dates, times and locations available. Each is targeted to parents of children within specific age groups and provides practical ways to defuse power struggles, practice mutual respect, use encouragement, communicate more clearly and other key strategies. For more information and to register, click here.

In the News   

Important information you want to know 

Anxiety may be hereditary: No one knows exactly what causes excessive anxiety in kids, but a fair amount of evidence suggests that there's a genetic component to it. Additionally, parent anxiety can contribute to a child feeling more anxious. Still, in the face of stress, some kids react more quickly or in a more extreme way. Click here  for more information about anxiety in children.

YES Featured in Times Fund for the Needy: Uprooted and out of touch with their dad, the Dawson girls experienced emotions they didn't know how to manage. The impact of the changes began to show in the children's behavior at school. Fortunately, YES was able to respond with a school-based counselor and get the family needed help. Click here to read the complete Seattle Times story.