Life Skills Education Programs

LIFE SKILLS EDUCATION

7 PRINCIPLES OF MAKING MARRIAGE WORK

Did you recently commit to work out more this year? Did you know that working on your marriage for just 20 minutes a day could improve your health dramatically? We all know how stressful it is to be in conflict with our spouse, but what are healthy couples doing differently? Come learn the secrets of a positive, less stressful relationship by attending this class. All couples receive a copy of the New York Times bestselling book “The 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work” by Dr. John Gottman.

(Class is 8 hours)

POSITIVE PARENTING WITH A PLAN – F.A.M.I.L.Y RULES

Positive Parenting with a Plan is an organized, structured approach to discipline in the home rather than “flying by the seat of your pants”. The plan focusses on the entire family and not just one child; parents are required to change their attitudes and behaviors as well. Communication is clarified and compliance to parental authority really happens.

This video and class discussion based course will help parents tap back in to more effective ways of raising their children and teens regardless of marital status. Some of the topic we will address include different styles of parenting, control vs. influence, mutual respect, developing character, and effective discipline.

(Class is 4 hours)

PARENTING TOGETHER EVEN WHEN DIVORCED

This class specifically targets divorced or separated couples. Recently, people divorcing outside the state of California have explained that their state’s court system required them to attend a course on the impact of divorce on their children and the importance of developing a co-parenting plan.

During this class, the brochures “Parenting Together When You Live Apart” and “Helping Children Cope with Divorce” are utilized. “Kids & Divorce”, a powerful video that interviews children processing the divorce of their parents, is also viewed.

(Class is 2 hours)

COMMUNICATION SKILLS / DEALIN WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE

This course was developed to teach active duty, dependents, couples, and DoD civilians better skills at handling conflict in the workplace and how to improve interpersonal interactions. It adds a crucial element of improving communication for those in intimate relationships and how we can be impacted by daily interactions with co-workers, friends, families and acquaintances.

This class outlines the four basic communication styles: passive, aggressive, passive-aggressive, and assertive. Attendees or couples will participate in team building activities that challenge them to find solutions to everyday problems. This program shows video clips that help define gender differences in communication and adds a visual component to the learning process. Techniques can be immediately implemented. Overall, this class will help to develop new interpersonal skills and hopefully increase productivity and morale.

(Class is 2 hours)

ANGER’S AWAY (CONFLICT, ANGER & STRESS MANAGEMENT)

This class teaches concrete skills that participants can put to use right away. Topics include origins of anger and stress, empathy, relaxation techniques, and ways to combat cognitive distortions.

This class utilizes video clips, class discussion, handouts, and experiential activities to enhance learning. This class is recommended for all, with emphasis on those with high responsibility, multiple duties or other pressures of family or military life.

(One day workshop)

STRESS MANAGEMENT

There’s lots of information about how to best handle stress, but is any of it really helpful? This class is designed to apply concrete, proven skills that participants can put to use right away. The demands on today’s military members and families are enormous. Topics include origins of stress, empathy, relaxation techniques, and ways to combat cognitive distortions.

(Combined with Anger’s Away or taught as a separate class or 30 minute brief)

SUICIDE AWARENESS BRIEF

This class discusses warning signs, who is most at risk, what stops us from reporting, military/societal/cultural issues, and where to get help. Find out who is more at risk for suicide in the Navy. Learn why suicide is so hard to talk about, particularly with a loved one or friend.

Don’t let typical barriers stop you, although it may be hard to discuss with others. Dealing with the aftermath of wondering if you should have done more is much worse. Is there someone in your command that gets teased, criticized, left out? Reach out to them.

This is an excellent training session for senior leaders, supervisors, parents and other concerned individuals.

(Class is 30 minutes)

PARENTING FOR STEP (OR BLENDED) FAMILIES

This course focuses on the unique problems that step-families face when trying to present a united parenting front to their step-children. The complexities of such a feat can be daunting, but the fundamentals of parenting remain.

Some of the topics we will address include: which parent should take the lead, the different styles of parenting, control vs. influence, mutual respect, how to help your child cope with divorce, the grieving child, how to speak about ex-spouses, developing character, and effective discipline.

We utilize the nationally recognized “Active Parenting” materials which include workbooks, video discussion, and class exercises. This parenting course has been well researched for decades and has been used by hundreds of cities, counties, and supportive parenting agencies around the country.

(Class is taught in 3 and 6 week formats)

BOOT CAMP FOR NEW DADS

This class was created for expectant or new fathers that would like to learn techniques for calming newborns, dealing with severe crying, diapering, and how to best connect with baby. Discussions also take place that focus on the lessons they learned from their fathers, the best ways to support new moms, the protector role, and the importance of teamwork.

The class combines class discussion with a video of new dads sharing their experiences. This will crucially increase father involvement with their newborns, decrease occurrence of shaken baby syndrome, reduce tension at home, and increase overall quality of life.

(Class is 2 hours)

FAMILIES DEALING WITH AN ALCOHOLIC

Are you concerned with someone in your life drinking too much? If so, you are not alone. Researchers report that there are some 18 million American adults who have drinking problems. Most of us know a close friend or co-worker that struggles with alcohol and worry about how they are jeopardizing their health.

If the problem drinker is someone closer to home (a relative, spouse or a child), you may have many other complicated, intense feelings.  If you find yourself asking questions such as, “What makes him/her drink so much?” or “What’s the difference between liking to drink a lot and being an alcoholic?” then this class is for you.

FFSC will be holding this class monthly to provide a supportive environment while learning how to recognize problem drinking vs. alcoholism.

(Class is 2 hours)

INSIDE THE TEENAGE BRAIN & COMMUNICATING WITH YOUR TEEN

Many times, parents find it difficult to change the way they talk to their children. Handling and improving communication with teenagers is not an easy process. Communicating with your teen is the most important element in building a successful relationship. The expression, “It is not what you say, but how you say it,” has never been more true or more applicable than here.

(Classes are 2 hours)