Frustrated and overwhelmed or even curious parents of children from tots to teens have a new local ally when it comes to child rearing. The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, Youth and Family Services is sponsoring a series of parenting workshops and classes in Potomac and Bethesda. Trained YMCA staff and parent volunteers will aid parents in strengthening their relationships with their children.

“I would hope that the workshops give parents some new tools for their toolbox, techniques and new parenting strategies,” said Kim Nimmons, a YMCA mental health therapist and program supervisor. “Parenting is so challenging and it’s useful to gain another perspective and hear from other parents who are dealing with similar issues.”

Workshops are held at the YMCA’s Bethesda office as well as local libraries. Trained staff are available to lead workshops tailored for specific groups and address specific issues. Venues can include PTA meetings and school events.

“These are topic-focused workshops that deal with issues ranging from homework hassles and kids fighting to dealing with divorce and morning routines,” said Rob Guttenberg, director of parenting education. “There is a whole realm of topics that parents face in the job of parenting.

“We’ve done workshops in the Potomac library and we’re looking for different ways that we can meet with parents in the community,” he added. “We have parenting counseling space in Bethesda near the Metro for parents in Potomac who have trouble getting to our Silver Spring office.”

In addition, the YMCA offers one-on-one consultations where parents can meet individually with YMCA staff to work on specific issues like attention-getting behavior, power struggles between children and their parents, and techniques for establishing family routines.

The YMCA has two workshops scheduled for the spring on effective strategies for discipline, as well as a seminar at Suburban Hospital featuring guest speaker, Betty Lou Bettner, Ph.D. and author of “Crucial C’s” for Raising Kids Who Can: Connect – Capable – Count – and Courage.” Bettner will offer parents and caregivers an outline of the psychological needs of children and strategies for meeting those needs.