Pre-Teen, Teen and Parent Classes

The Pre-Teen, Teen, and Parent classes at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford are designed to help families learn about important topics during adolescence and prepare to address changes during adolescent years from early puberty to right before college send-offs. We offer a broad spectrum of classes taught by our skilled instructors, such as:

• Heart to Heart: A Seminar on Growing Up for Parents and Kids
• Teen Transitions: A class for 13-14 year olds and their parents
• Staying Close While Standing Back
• Mothers of Sons: The Joys and Challenges of Guiding Your Son through Adolescence
• Dads of Daughters: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Teen Girls
• Smart Send-Offs

For more information about our programs and online registration
Please call (650) 724-4601 or
Email: LPCHCommunityClass@stanfordchildrens.org

Heart to Heart: A Seminar on Growing Up for Parents and Kids

At this time, our Heart to Heart classes have been cancelled. We will not be posting future dates until we are certain we can resume regular programming and meet in large groups. Alternatively, we have piloted a new online class called The Chat. You can find more information and register for The Chat here >

This informative, humorous, and lively discussion of puberty, the opposite sex and growing up sets parents and their pre-teens (aged 10-12) on a the course for talking with one another about these topics. Emphasis in the “For Girls” and “For Boys” programs are on communication and the importance of family as the primary resource. Join us for a two-part class developed by Julie Metzger, RN and Rob Lehman, MD of "Great Conversations" in the Seattle, WA area. 

Topics

• Physical changes and growth
• Common concerns pre-teens may have during puberty
• Feelings, actions and consequences
• Sexuality and sexual reproduction

Locations
Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Francisco, Belmont, Campbell, Morgan Hill, San Leandro, Emeryville, Santa Cruz, and Walnut Creek.

For additional information about the "Heart to Heart" program including a mission statement and goals please visit www.greatconversations.com.

• Our Parent Tip Sheet and Book List are available for class preparation.

Heart to Heart FAQs

My child is older or younger than the recommended age of 10-12. Can they take the class?

• The content of the curriculum, the humor, and stories are geared for 10-12 year olds that have not yet hit puberty or are just in their beginning stages of puberty. We ask that you honor the recommendation to respect the developmental space of the preteens and the camaraderie in the room as we all learn and grow together. With that being said, every child’s timeline varies and develops at a different pace. We encourage families to begin having conversations in their homes to assess their child’s readiness. Please feel free to contact us at (650) 724-4601 if you have any questions.

Can I take multiple siblings to one class?

• We encourage you to bring each child separately honoring their individuality. The class involves some role-playing games where it is helpful to have one-on-one time with each. The registration fee is for a pair, one pre-teen and one adult resource person, so if you wish to bring multiple siblings, you will need to make multiple registration profiles.

Can female caregivers attend the boys’ class/Can male caregivers attend the girls’ class? 

• The goal of our class is to promote further communication between children and their parents/trusted adult resources. While preteens are often accompanied by an adult of the same gender, we recognize and honor the diversity of families, and welcome parents, grandparents, guardians and other close family members to our classes.

When will you add more classes?

• Classes are added on a rolling basis, as soon as instructor and room availabilities are confirmed. If you do not see a class that works for you, check back on our website in a couple months.

For Scheduling FAQ’s on cancellations, reschedules, and waitlists, click here >

---

At this time, our Heart to Heart classes have been cancelled. We have piloted a new online class called The Chat. You can find more information and register for The Chat here >

---

Teen Transitions: A class for 13-14 year olds and their parents

This class offers interactive learning and discussion with teens and parents focusing on relationships with peers, family and others. Topics covered will include connection and conflict resolution, respect for self and others, healthy decisions, and family support. This class encourages open communication and respect both within and outside the family.

Staying Close While Standing Back

This is an evening discussion for parents of adolescents and teens and other trusted adult resource persons presented by Julie Metzger, RN, Co-Founder of the acclaimed Heart to Heart and Great Conversations. Julie Metzger will give parents an opportunity to consider strategies to strengthen family communication with adolescents.

Mothers of Sons: The Joys and Challenges of Guiding Your Son through Adolescence

This is an evening discussion for parents of preteen and teenage boys to discuss adolescent male development during puberty presented by Robert Lehman, MD, Co-Founder of the acclaimed Heart to Heart and Great Conversations. Parents will review the normal challenges between mothers and their preteen and adolescent sons and gain ideas for how to understand and strengthen the relationship between mothers and their preteen and adolescent sons.

Dads of Daughters: The Joys and Challenges of Raising Teen Girls

This is an evening discussion for parents of preteen and teenage girls to discuss adolescent female development during puberty presented by Julie Metzger, RN, Co-Founder of the acclaimed Heart to Heart and Great Conversations. Parents will review the normal challenges between fathers and their preteen and adolescent daughters and gain ideas for how to understand and strengthen the relationship between mothers and their preteen and adolescent sons.

Smart Send-Offs

The experts of the Division of Adolescent Medicine at Stanford hosts an interactive learning experience for high school seniors and their parents, focusing on issues that may arise during the college years.

Families will learn about:

• Managing stress and staying healthy
• Alcohol and drug use on campus
• Birth control options and avoiding STI’s
• Understanding consent and preventing sexual assault