MADISON – Madison City Schools is offering a program for parents to help their children deal with behavioral needs.

The “Loving Solutions” parenting program is free to MCS parents. The class will meet once each week for 10 weeks, and each session will last for two hours.

The program’s material and in-class discussion will offer tips to parents about avoiding arguing with a child, tactics to stop unwanted behavior and strategies to improve their school performance.

“Loving Solutions” also will review the needs of children with diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD and Attention Deficit Disorder or ADD.

However, the program is open to any parent who believes his or her family would benefit. The sessions “would be great for students who may be struggling with grades, attendance and other needs,” MCS Social Worker Briana Hawkins said.

The material uses a behavioral model to help parents both motivate children to do constructive tasks and manage unwanted behaviors, Hawkins said. Home practice assignments, called “Steps of Success (S.O.S.)” assist in creating a solid foundation for change.

One entire unit is dedicated to improving a child’s in-school behavior and grades. The results also can benefit the elementary school staff by reducing stress in the classroom and on campus.

The program is based on “Loving Solutions, A Parent’s Guide to Raising Tough Kids, ages 5-10 Years” written by Ralph ‘Bud’ Fry and Dr. Roger Morgan. Their study’s subtitle is “The Manual the Hospital Forgot to Give You.”

The class will start the first week of September. School official soon will announce the dates, times and location of the sessions.

Deadline to enroll is Aug. 26. Any parent who wants to attend “Loving Solutions” should contact Briana Hawkins by calling 256-464-8370, ext. 10249 or emailing Bbhawkins@madisoncity.k12.al.us. Parents must attend every class.

For more information, visit parentproject.com.