Free workshops on raising teenagers set for three Thursdays in October at Blessing Health Hannibal

HANNIBAL, Mo. — Blessing Health Hannibal, Hannibal Clinic Health Services and University of Missouri Extension are offering a series of three free workshops for parents, guardians and caretakers of 10 to 17-year-olds.

The “Building Strong Families: Focus on everyday life of teens and pre-teens” workshops will be held Thursday, Oct. 5, 12 and 19, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the MJB Conference Room at Blessing Health Hannibal, 100 Medical Drive. Those attending should enter the building through the west entrance.

Jeremiah Terrell, field specialist in human development and family service for the University of Missouri Extension, will lead each of the courses. Terrell has experience working with youths and in the behavioral health field.

People are invited to the workshop(s) of their choice:

• Oct. 5: Family Strengths – Strengths you can use to meet every day challenges with teens and pre-teens.
• Oct. 12: Communicating – How, when and where you can communicate effectively with teens and pre-teens.
• Oct. 19: Positive Discipline – What discipline strategies work, and don’t work, for teens and pre-teens.

In a press release, Susan Meidl, Blessing Health Hannibal physician and Hannibal Clinic Health Services board chairperson, said, “Enhancing your relationship with a teen or pre-teen can benefit the youngster but also improve the health and quality of life of the adults in the young person’s life. The information shared at these workshops could well help lessen family tension, thereby lowering blood pressure and lead to better nights of sleep for parents, guardians and caretakers of teens and pre-teens.

“Attendees will not only learn from Jeremiah, but from each other, sharing the challenges and triumphs of raising 10-17-year-olds.”

The workshops are free. Registration is required in one of three ways; online at events.blessinghealth.org and searching “Building” to find the registration link; by calling 573-231-3846; or emailing amy.land@blessinghealth.org.