Classes

Parenting classes are opportunities for parents, caregivers, or anybody who wants new ideas on raising children. Classes are curriculum based and meet one night per week. Parents Place offers several different classes to cover different aspects of raising children. Certificates of completion are awarded at the final session of the class if attendance and payment have been satisfied. The fee for our classes is $20 per week per person or $25 per week per couple and can be adjusted if needed.

If you need to bring children with you to class, please bring snacks and something to keep them busy during class. 

Children in Between is $40 in person. Prices vary online. No scholarships available.

Ready for Kindergarten is free to attend thanks to the generosity of the United Way of Cowlitz County and The Red Hat thrift store. 

Please fill out the Parents Place Class Registration Form and contact us to attend a class.

Please contact us if there is a class you wish to attend but is not being offered at the moment and we will fit it into the schedule as soon as possible.

Classes You Can Sign Up For Now 

 
Children in Between: For people who want to avoid 5 pitfalls of co-parenting: using children as messengers, insulting the other parent, child support issues, using children as a spy, and infrequent visitation. Meets the state requirement of a 4hr. parenting class on the effects of divorce/separation on children. $40. No childcare available. If you need to bring children with you, remember to bring enough food for 3hrs. and something to keep them busy during class.  Dates offered in-person: Thursday December 5 6-9pm.  
 
Bringing Back the Dads: 12wk. class for fathers with an open DCYF dependency case who are working on getting their children out of the system. Contact your DCYF caseworker to request a referral to this class. 
 
READY! for Kindergarten 0-1 Session 1: This online workshop is for people with children born between 9-1-23 and 8-31-24. Give your child the best start on their 1st day of school. Receive a Ready Tool Kit and learn how to use it 10min. a day every day until your child starts kindergarten to prepare them for school success. Go to https://www.readyforkindergarten.org/parentsplace/schedule to enroll in the workshop. Free, thanks to the generosity of United Way of Cowlitz and Wahkiakum County and The Red Hat thrift store. Call 360-414-9212 if you are interested in an in-person workshop. 
 
READY! for Kindergarten 1-2 Session 1: Same as above but for people with children born between 9-1-22 and 8-31-23.
 
READY! for Kindergarten 2-3 Session 1: Same as above but for people with children born between 9-1-21 and 8-31-22.
 
READY! for Kindergarten 3-4 Session1 : Same as above but for people with children born between 9-1-20 and 8-31-21.
 
READY! for Kindergarten 4-5 Session 1: Same as above but for people with children born between 9-1-19 and 8-31-20.
 
Preparación Para el Kinder: Talleres gratis en linea para familias con hijos nacidos entre 9-1-19 y 8-31-24. Prepare sus hijos para el exito escolar con estos talleres. Recibe información y materiales gratis. Registre en readyforkindergarten.org/parentsplace/schedule?lang=es . Llame a 360-414-9212 para asistir en persona. Talleres empiezan el 1 de octubre 2024.

Online Classes: 

If you are taking classes to satisfy a court requirement, be sure to check with the court to make sure they will accept your participation in an online class. Too many parents have spent time and money in online classes only to be told they have to attend in person. Price, time commitment, and certificate requirements vary by class. Information is available on their corresponding websites.

 

Children in Between: For people who want to avoid 5 pitfalls of co-parenting: using children as messengers, insulting the other parent, child support issues, using children as a spy, and infrequent visitation. Meets the state requirement of a 4hr. parenting class on the effects of divorce/separation on children. Available online anytime at online.divorce-education.com . Price varies online by state and county. The online class requires the case number to print the certificate of completion. 

 

Active Parenting Publishers- Online versions of Active Parenting the 1st 5yrs, Active Parenting Today, and more. Online Parenting Classes - Active Parenting

 

Positive Discipline- Online version of their 7wk. class. Appropriate for raising any age children. Courses | Positive Discipline

 

Love and Logic Online: Learn techniques to reduce the whining and arguing and increase personal responsibility in children. $99. Add $25 if you need a certificate. Search: 9 results found for "online classes" – Love and Logic Institute, Inc

  

Curriculums Available But Not Offered Right Now

Active Parenting The First 5 Years: 4wk. class for people raising children 5yrs. old and younger. Wk.1: Ages and Stages, parenting styles, offering choices, building a bond, feelings, the importance of play, and self-care. Wk. 2: Brain development, child safety, age appropriate discipline techniques, rules, and routines. Wk. 3: Choice and consequence, temper tantrums, and encouragement. Wk. 4: Preparing for school success, encouraging independence, and the power of family. $20 per week, adjustable upon request. You can bring your children if needed. Remember to bring snacks and something for them to do. Next class starts: Tuesday August 6  6:30-8:30pm.  
 
Battles, Hassles, Tantrums, and Tears: We are offering a morning class in October. A 4wk. class on adult anger, children's anger, tantrums and what to do about it. Wk. 1: Conflict management styles and C.H.O.I.C.E.S to handle conflict. Wk. 2: Overcoming self-defeating messages and appropriate discipline. Wk. 3: The anger cycle, calming techniques, and tantrums. Wk. 4: Problem solving and communication. $20per week, adjustable upon request. If you need to bring your children with you, bring snacks and something to keep them busy during class. Next class starts: Wednesday October 2    10-11:30am.  
 
Love and Logic: Adults Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts-6wk. class specifically designed for people raising or working with children who have experienced trauma and/or loss. Great for parents(birth, foster, adoptive), teachers, school counselors, etc. No childcare is available. Children over 2yrs. old are not allowed in class due to the subject matter discussed. $20 per week + a one time $10 for the workbook. The fee for the book is due the first day of class and the book is required to attend class. Dates offered: Wednesdays November 6 through December 11, 2024 10am to noon.
 
Love and Logic Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun!®-5wks.: Techniques covered are appropriate for children of all ages. Week 1 is about ending arguing and whining. Week 2 is Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say. Week 3 talks about avoiding power struggles. Week 4 covers setting limits. Week 5 gives you ideas on what to do when you don't know what to do. No childcare available. If you need to bring children with you, remember to bring snacks and something to keep them busy during class. Next class starts: Tuesday 11-12-24 through 12-10-24, 6:00-8:00pm. 
 
Self-Esteem: A Family Affair: This 8wk. class will help develop confidence in your abiltiy to parent. Learn how to communicate clearly to get your needs met and to meet the needs of your children. Reject toxic messages in a way that respects yourself and the person who said it. Class starts Thursday July 1 6-8pm. 
 
Growing Up Again- 6wk. class for people raising any age children. Expectant parents are encouraged to attend. This class goes back through your childhood to help you heal where your parents' poor parenting impacted you. For people who had a wonderful childhood, this class shows you how and why you should repeat the good things your parents did with your own children.
 
Active Parenting Today: A 6wk. class for people raising children ages 4yrs. old and up. This class focuses on family communication and family problem solving.  
 
The Incredible Years Basic: 
Free online 16 week class for parents of children aged 3-6 years old. Topics inclyde communication skills, importance of play, problem soving, etc. 
  
The Incredible Years Babies: Free 12 week class for parents of children aged 0-12 months. Help your baby feel safe, secure, and loved while encouraging positive physical and language development. 
 
The Incredible Years School AgeBasics: For families with children 6-12yrs. old. Free 14wk. Promote positive behaviors and limit setting, support homework time, learn how to partner with teachers to promote school success. 
 
The Incredible Years: Free10-12 week parenting class focusing on building positive parenting skills for ages 5-12 years old. It provides tools and strategies to encourage positive behaviors, strengthen parent-child relationships, reduces harsh discipline, and fosters parents’ ability to promote children’s social, emotional, and academic development. 
 
Head Start families only: Love and Logic: Adults Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts-6wk. class specifically designed for people raising or working with children who have experienced trauma and/or loss. Great for parents(birth, foster, adoptive), teachers, school counselors, etc. Class will take place on Tuesdays from 5-7pm March 14 through April 25. Contact your Family Advocate or Head Start staff to sign up. 
 
Guiding Good Choices-Online: Kelso school district families only. Free online 5wk. class for families with 9-14yr. olds. Develop healthy beliefs, learn how to deal with anger in a positive manner, strengthen family bonds, and more. Starts 2-23-23 at 6pm. Contact Ramona Leber at 360-261-3971 ramona.leber@cni.net or Betsy Berndt at 360-952-3537  betsy.berndt@esd112.org for more information or to sign-up. 
 
Strengthening Families 10-14: Free 8wk. class for parents/caregivers AND their youth ages 10-14yrs. old. Dinner and childcare provided for younger chldren. Parents/caregivers and youth must attend together. Contact Ramona at ramona.leber@cni.net or 360-261-3971 to sign up. Starts Tuesday February 6 6:00-8:30pm.
 
Love and Logic: Adults Supporting Youth with Challenging Pasts-Offered by the Emergency Support Shelter. Free, in-person 6 week class specifically designed for people raising or working with children who have experienced trauma and/or loss. Great for parents(birth, foster, adoptive), teachers, school counselors, etc. Class will take place on Tuesdays 9-11am starting Tuesday February 20. Contact the Emergency Support Shelter at (360) 425-1176 with questions or to register.
 
Strengthening Families 10-14 at Monticello Middle School: 1225 28th Ave. Longview. Free 8wk. class for parents/caregivers AND their youth ages 10-14yrs. old. Dinner and childcare provided for younger chldren. Parents/caregivers and youth must attend together. Contact Ramona at ramona.leberW@cni.net or call/text 360-261-3971 to sign up. Starts Thursday April 13 at 5:30pm.  
 
Strengthening Families 10-14 in Kelso: Class open to Kelso families only with children ages 10-14yrs. old. 8wk. class for parents/caregivers AND their youth. Childcare provided for younger children. Free with dinner included. Class will be held at Barnes Elementary 401 Barnes (Kelso) 98626. You do not need to be enrolled at that school to attend Strengthening Families. Contact Ramona at ramona.leber@cni.net or call 360-261-3971 to sign up. You can also contact Betsy Berndt for registration as well at betsy.berndt@esd112.org or call 360-952-3537. Register by September 30. Starts Tuesday October 4, 2022 at 5:30pm. 
 
Guiding Good Choices Parenting Class: Free parenting class offered by the Cowlitz Tribal Treatment which focuses on promoting health and wellbeing during teen years, developing healthy beliefs and clear standards, how to deal with anger in a positive way, how to say no to your friends while still having fun, and strengthening family bonds. Sign up by calling 360-575-3316 or emailing rsherrill@cowlitz.org Dates offered: Fridays starting on August 5 from 10am-12pm.  
 
The Incredible Years Toddlers: Free 12+ week parent class for parents of children 1-3yrs. old. Topics include strengthening parent-child bond and attachment, encouraging toddlers' physical and language development, strategies to establish predictable routines, and other parenting tips. 
 
The Incredible Years Basic: 
Free 16 week class for parents of children aged 3-6yrs old is being offered via Zoom. Topics include communication skills, importance of play, problem solving, etc. 
 
The Incredible Years Autism: Free 14-16wk. class for people raising children with autism 2-8yrs. old. 
 
Virtual Strengthening Families 10-14: Free 7wk. class for parents/caregivers AND their youth ages 10-14yrs. old. Each session covers two evenings per week – the Youth session on Wednesdays at 4:00pm and the Parent and Family sessions on Thursdays at 6:00pm. The total family commitment is 14 evenings. Youth sessions begin on April 20 and continue on the following Wednesdays. The Parents and Family sessions begin on April 21 and continue the following Thursdays. Youth will join in the Family sessions at 7:15pm on Thursdays. Contact Ramona Leber by calling 360-261-3971 or email Ramona.leber@cni.net in order to register or get more information.

Strengthening Families 10-14 in Woodland: Free 8wk. class for parents/caregivers AND their youth ages 10-14yrs. old. Dinner and childcare provided for younger chldren. Parents/caregivers and youth must attend together. Contact Ramona Leber at sfpwsucowlitz@hotmail.com or 360-261-3971. Starts Thursday April 11, 2021 at 6pm.

Strengthening Families 10-14 in Castle Rock: Free 8wk. class for parents/caregivers AND their youth ages 10-14yrs. old. Dinner and childcare provided for younger chldren. Parents/caregivers and youth must attend together. Contact Ramona at sfpwsucowlitz@hotmail.com or 360-261-3971. Starts Monday April 15, 2021 at 6pm.

Strengthening Families 3-11: This is a 14 week class for families raising children ages 3-11 years old. Parents learn techniques to improve their parenting. Children learn techniques to follow directions better, communicate better, avoid making poor decisions, and more. Families work together each week during the family session. Class is held at St. Paul Lutheran Church, located at 312  1st  Avenue SW Castle Rock, WA 98611. Parents and children MUST attend together. Free with dinner, childcare, and prizes included. Contact Dianne Swanson at (360) 636-0530 or email her at dianneswanson@msn.com for more info. or to sign-up.