2025-26 Parenting Mercer Island PARENT LAB Sessions:

ELEMENTARY (K-5)

6:30-8:00 PM

@ Elementary Schools (see below for specific school)

• January 23 - Stress and Anxiety
  (Lakeridge Library)

• February 27 - Connection and Emotional Regulation (West Mercer Library)

• April 3 - Guidance and Discipline for Skill Building (Northwood Commons)

• May 1 - Everyday Parenting Challenges
  (Island Park Library)

NOTE: Labs are open to all MI elementary parents regardless of the meeting location.

MIDDLE (6-8)/HIGH SCHOOL (9-12)

6:30-8:00 PM

@ Mercer Island High School Library

The workshops will focus on these specific topics below, however; other practical parenting skills will also be taught in the workshops:

LAB #1 - Stress and Anxiety *This program has passed. To access materials and resources, click HERE
Are you looking for tips on how to best support a child/teen who experiences stress and anxiety? Participants will learn the basic neurobiology of the stress response, gain tangible tools to support your child/teen, and gather tips for how to positively impact your relationship with your child/teen.

LAB #2 - Connection and Communication *This program has passed. To access materials and resources, click ELEMENTARY or MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL.
Do you feel like your child never listens to you? Do you dread having tough conversations with your teen? Whether your child is in kindergarten or on their way to young adulthood, connection and communication is the foundation of the parent/child relationship. Participants will learn how to create opportunities for connection, gain skills to improve communication with your child/teen, and strengthen your relationship so both your needs and your child’s/teen’s needs are met.

LAB #3 - Guidance and Discipline for Skill Building *This program has passed. To access materials and resources, click ELEMENTARY or MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL.
Children of all ages are seeking independence and will naturally break rules and test limits. The goal of guidance and discipline for skill building is to grow new skills to replace inappropriate ones. Participants will learn about developmental milestones to help you have reasonable expectations for your child/teen, discuss the benefits of using natural and logical consequences in discipline and understand the importance of teaching your child to repair harm.

LAB #4 - ELEMENTARY TOPIC: Everyday Parenting Challenges *This program has passed. To access materials and resources, click HERE
We all know that parenting is important. Figuring it out, isn’t easy. The daily challenges of getting out the door for school on time, involving children in household tasks and guiding your child in their academic work feels like a lot. Participants will learn how to apply the Parenting Mercer Island 5-step parenting process to everyday parenting challenges such as routines, chores, homework and set the stage for important conversations as your child develops.

LAB #4 - MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL TOPIC: Important Conversations to have with your Teen * This program has passed. To access materials and resources, click HERE
Risk taking is a normal part of the adolescent/teen years. Adolescents/Teens are more likely than adults to take risks because different parts of their brain are maturing at different times. There are many ways you can increase the likelihood that your teen will engage in healthy risk taking and avoid unhealthy risk taking. Participants will gain an understanding of the harms of youth substance use and learn scripts and tips for having conversations with your adolescent/teen.

Parenting is important. Figuring it out, isn’t always easy.