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

When a child or adolescent is troubled, the most important thing for the parent to focus on may very well be their relationship with their child or adolescent. Parents need to do whatever they can to make sure the relationship is strong.

Demonstrating faith and optimism in the child or adolescent's ability to work things out in their own time and in their own way can be very difficult but it is possible to do this while also offering assistance.

Somewhat paradoxically, parenting programs should focus on the behavior of the parents not the behavior of the children.

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.

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