Mansfield ISD Offers Free Parenting Classes

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With a silent room awaiting the start of class, former Mansfield ISD counselor Vicki Evans Williams starts by asking the parents in attendance three questions:

1. Would it be worth your time today to learn how to have fewer power struggles with your kids?
2. Would it be worth your time to have it so that your kids do more of the thinking, and you do less of the worrying?  
3. And would it be worth your time to raise the odds that your kids learn from your mistakes? 

Williams, who now works as a volunteer with The Parenting Center, worked as an MISD counselor for about 16 years in the 1980s and 1990s.

She decided to teach Love and Logic classes because she is passionate about training educators and parents to raise and teach children in reassuring ways. The technique uses humor, hope and empathy to teach consequences and healthy decision-making.

“The results are such amazing results,” said Williams. “You see kids do things that you don’t see them do without it.”

Williams wants parents to get their children to see how to make choices so that they can become responsible, prosperous adults.

“Parenting is a tough job,” she continued. “I would recommend this class to parents because it makes that job a lot easier and a whole lot more fun.”

Using Love and Logic techniques has made Williams change the outlook she has on her own life.

“It gives me chances to make better choices myself,” said Williams. “It causes me to stop and think about the different kinds of things that I could do and choose the one that works best for me.”

Parents that attended the class were very appreciative for what they learned.

“I decided to attend the class to get different techniques with different types of children,” said Yazmin Ponce, a parent of two students at Alice Ponder Elementary School. “I hope that they continue to grow the program.”

MISD offers Love and Logic classes at different elementary campuses at least once a month. The sessions are free of charge to parents.

“It’s a great resource I’m able to provide to parents,” said Nicole Brody, counselor at Ponder Elementary. “It gives parents some skills to put in their toolbox.”

Williams’ upcoming class on dealing with day-to-day parenting issues using Love and Logic will be held at Annette Perry Elementary School on Feb. 8 at 8:30 a.m. For more information, visit the district calendar.