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

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.

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

One of the premises of parenting might be that the job of parents is to teach their kids to get along without them.

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

In order to be effective decision makers and to live satisfying and contented lives, people need to be aware of their goals, desires, and purposes and need to be able to evaluate or assess the extent to which they are heading in the direction specified by their inner standards.