Celebrated Speaker shares insights on parenting

Dr. Beth Grosshans In the 50’s and 60’s, we had Dr. Spock. Now, in the 21st century, there is Dr. Beth Grosshans, a clinical child psychologist in private practice in Princeton, New Jersey, and, with Janet H. Burton, LCSW, author of the book, Beyond Time-Out – From Chaos to Calm. Two hours with Dr. Grosshans could restore peace and tranquility to your household.

Dr. Grosshans has been invited by The Puffin Foundation and the Teaneck Community Education Center to discuss her approach to raising children on Wednesday, November 18, 7:00 p.m., at The Puffin, 20 Puffin Way, Teaneck, Advance registration ($5 fee, to the Teaneck Community Education Center, One Merrison Street, Teaneck) is recommended, although walk-ins will not be turned away. Parents, grandparents, educators, and all who work with children are urged to mark their calendars, reserve the date, and meet the woman whose wise approach to parent / child relationships can be life-changing. Call the Center, at 201 / 833-5514, for details.

The premise of the Grosshans/ Burton book is that children, rather than parents, are controlling family life and are making a mess of it. Dealing with youngsters getting dressed, eating a meal, doing homework, putting away toys – just getting out the door for a play date – can be nightmares for the adults in charge. Time-out, the decades old method of control, rarely works. Dr. Grosshans identifies four parenting styles that result in an imbalance of power, and then offers a method to take back the power, calmly and effectively, before toddlers grow into angry teens. Signed copies of the book will be available for purchase.

The Puffin Foundation has been providing a grant to the Teaneck Community Education Center for SuperStrides, which offers low-cost cultural and educational after-school programs for Teaneck children. The November 18th program for parents is in keeping with the Puffin commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of children and families.