A parenting program should focus on parent's attitudes to themselves, their children, and the relationships they are building with their children.

Prioritizing listening to their child or adolescent is extremely important. It can be very hard to listen to someone who is upset or troubled without offering advice or suggestions or otherwise telling him or her what to do.

Parents should be able to develop goals about the type of parents they want to be.

Attitudes of optimism, of "let them be", and of joy in watching and helping another life develop and blossom will help parents relish their parenting role and will provide the resilience necessary to navigate turbulent times.

Spending time with the child or adolescent in mutually enjoyable activities on a regular basis will help to build warmth and trust.

A parenting program should provide time for parents to clarify their own ideas about what it means to be an effective and successful parent.

People need to feel safe to talk without their ideas being criticized, judged, demeaned, or mocked.