Parenting With Purpose: Tools That Work

The toddler meltdown in the grocery aisle. The endless bedtime battles. The quiet question every parent asks: “Am I doing this right?”

Raising children is filled with unforgettable milestones—and just as many challenges. Whether it’s handling tantrums, setting routines or navigating emotional ups and downs, it can be hard to know what works best. That’s where Jewish Family & Children’s Service (JFCS) steps in, offering proven parenting programs to support families and help children thrive. Below are practical and powerful strategies shared in JFCS parenting classes that caregivers of children can start using right away.

8 Tips That Make a Difference

• Practice Positive Communication: Use calm, clear language and be an active listener.
• Set Consistent Boundaries: Create predictable routines and rules to help children feel secure and reduce behavioral issues.
• Respond to Emotions With Empathy: Acknowledge your child’s feelings and offer support through understanding and connection.
• Reinforce Good Behavior: Use praise and encouragement to build your child’s confidence and motivation.
• Handle Challenges Constructively: Address misbehavior with consistency, logical consequences and collaborative problem-solving.
• Build Secure Relationships: Spend quality time together, offer affection and be emotionally available to strengthen your bond.
• Support Healthy Independence: Let children make age-appropriate choices and guide them in developing problem-solving skills and encouraging resilience.
• Adapt to Development Needs: Understand your child’s unique growth patterns and adjust expectations.

These tips aren’t just theory. They are part of several trusted, hands-on parenting programs offered at JFCS’ four clinic locations across the Valley. One standout is the Positive Parenting Program, or Triple P, an internationally recognized curriculum that helps caregivers raise emotionally healthy children while strengthening family bonds.

“Triple P is designed to give parents simple, practical tools that can be adapted to their own family needs,” said Marla Dembs, clinical manager on the Children’s Team at the Glendale Healthcare Center. “It’s about helping parents feel more confident while building positive, lasting connections with their kids.”

Maureen Parren, a licensed professional counselor at JFCS and credentialed Triple P provider, sees firsthand how empowering the program can be.

“Parents are often surprised at how small changes in routine or communication can make a big difference in their child’s behavior,” Parren said. “We focus on building skills that are both effective and sustainable.”

JFCS also offers other parenting programs tailored to specific needs, including a course for parents of children with ADHD and the Circle of Security group, which is rooted in attachment theory. These programs provide tools to help parents respond more effectively to their child’s emotional and behavioral needs. While mental health is part of the conversation, the focus of these classes is practical and accessible, designed to give families tools they can use every day to create a more nurturing home environment.

In addition to structured parenting classes, JFCS offers family-focused group services led by therapists, youth and family specialists, family support partners and integrated health navigators.

“The imagination of what a group can be is endless,” Dembs said. “There’s something powerful about parents coming together, sharing experiences and building skills in a supportive environment.”

Ready to strengthen your parenting skills and build a calmer, more connected home? Discover parenting classes and groups offered at a JFCS location near you.