Using the Program
Guiding Good Choices (GGC) is a parenting program
GGC is for all parents and other caregivers who are raising children between the ages of 9-14. Most parents who complete the program have a child who is 11 or 12.
Adolescence can sometimes feel like a scary new world for parents. In the preteen years, it may seem that your child’s friends and activities are replacing you as more important in their lives. Your child’s budding independence also brings more chances that they’ll find themselves in risky situations.
GGC will give you information and tools that work to protect your preteen and teen from the inevitable risks they encounter as they become more independent. Just as important, you’ll learn ways to build or maintain lasting family relationships because teenagers who are more closely connected to their families have better health and educational outcomes.
Each GGC session covers a different topic
Session 1 teaches you how to promote your preteen’s health and build strong family bonds throughout adolescence.
Session 2 shows you how to set guidelines for healthy preteen and teen behavior.
Session 3 teaches skills to help your child resist influences that may lead to risky behavior. You’ll complete this session with your child.
Session 4 provides strategies for controlling anger.
Session 5 focuses on ways to strengthen family bonds.
Family meetings: A time to share GGC with your family
At the end of each session, you’ll learn how to hold a family meeting to share lessons learned or plan some fun family time. This regular time together builds bonds, promotes health, and helps GGC skills become a part of your family life.
Sessions take about an hour to complete
Most parents find they can finish a session in about an hour over the course of one week. It’s ok if you need more time. The important thing is to try to set aside 15-20 minutes 2-3 times per week so that you build momentum and gain the benefits of GGC.
You don’t have to complete GGC alone
Send a message to a trained GGC leader if you have questions about GGC or feel stuck. A GGC leader will also check in with you from time to time to see how it’s going. If you prefer that we don’t check in with you unless you ask us to, Contact Us.
GGC is also available to groups of parents. If you’d like to join a GGC group in a nearby pediatrics clinic instead of completing GGC online, send a message to a GGC leader.