The Three C’s Supporting the Parent-Teen Relationship: Compassion, Connection and Cooperation

Sunday, April 13. 6:00pm-7:30pm. Rainier Room.

Description 

Contemporary parents and their teenagers are pressured by the stressors of American mania, materialism, negative media influence, competition, and a world that requires that young people be successful in school and in the development of the emotional, social and moral competence. Although nurturing the Three C’s (connection, compassion and cooperation) in family life is essential, the normal challenges of adolescence—moods, individuation, arguments and risk-taking—can make parent-teen relationships extremely rocky. Discuss how the normal challenges are intrinsic to the development of selfhood; how teen brain changes make teens reactive, emotional, impulsive and arousal-seeking; and how positive adolescent adjustment is associated with strong parent-teen connectedness, support for psychological autonomy, and authoritative parenting (which includes warmth and compassion, effective communication, and thoughtful control and structure).  Study the optimal “rules of engagement” that foster positive connections and good communication, with a focus on emotions and their role in hijacking parents’ and teens’ reasoning skills. Learn realistic expectations of your teen, how to offer compassion, establish positive connections and inspire cooperation. Although teens are welcome, this workshop is generally targeted to a parent audience.

Presenter Bio 

Laura Kastner, PhD, University of Washington

Laura Kastner received her doctorate in psychology from University of Virginia in 1979. After completing a postdoctoral internship at University of Washington in 1980, she joined the faculty in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, where she has taught to the present time. The topics of her academic publications include adolescent sexuality, adolescent psychological problems, children’s adjustment to chronic illness, behavioral pediatrics and medical education. Dr. Kastner has maintained a private practice since 1982 in which she sees children, couples, and families. She is a frequent speaker at conferences, workshops, and forums on adolescent development and family relationships. She has been interviewed for numerous articles about adolescence in national and local media and recently contributed to several books. Due to be published in Spring 2009 is her next co-authored book entitled “Counting to 18: Cooling Down Hot Times with Teens.”