Parenting is hard during “typical” times, and even harder during tough times like the current coronavirus pandemic. Working remotely, worrying about losing a job or business, supporting and supervising children’s distance learning, maintaining physical distance from friends and loved ones, worrying about the health of your family…the stress adds up and can become overwhelming. In times like this, Triple P’s 5 Principles of Positive Parenting are a reassuring reminder that we don’t have to have it all figured out. We’re learning and adapting and doing the best we can under these difficult circumstances. Watch as Dr. Heather Thomsen, a mother of three boys and a Triple P practitioner, describes the five principles and how they are brought to life in her family as they shelter in place.
Watch our video, produced by Triple P International, to see how the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program is helping thousands of Santa Cruz County's families raise happy, healthy children.
Parenting is very rewarding and enjoyable, and it can also be challenging and exhausting. There is no one right way to be a parent – it is up to you to decide what values, skills and behaviors you want to teach your child.
The Triple P – Positive Parenting Program is a world-renowned program available to families in Santa Cruz County who have children ages birth to 16, including children with special needs. Backed by more than 30 years of international research, Triple P provides families with a tool kit of proven strategies for strengthening relationships with their children, promoting children’s development, and preventing or managing common parenting challenges – tantrums, sibling rivalry, homework, bullying, bedtime, communicating with teens, and more.
Parents and caregivers can get as little or as much parenting support as they'd like from trained Triple P practitioners in a number of organizations throughout the county. Triple P services are available in English and Spanish for Santa Cruz County families with children birth-12 (Core Triple P), families with teens (Teen Triple P), and families with children with special needs (Stepping Stones Triple P).Options include:
View the schedule of upcoming Triple P classes
A series of locally-produced Triple P Parenting Pocket Guides also provide positive parenting tips for families with children from birth – 12 years old, families with teens, and families with children who have special needs.
To request Triple P Parenting Pocket Guides or get help finding a Triple P class or practitioner, contact First 5 Santa Cruz County at (831) 465-2217 or triplep@first5scc.org.
The Triple P program is built on five principles of positive parenting:
Triple P offers parenting information and tips in four main areas:
Whether you want a quick tip on how to handle a specific issue, some ideas on how to promote your child's development, or help with more complex family issues, a trained practitioner can tailor Triple P to suit your needs.
This report highlights the Triple P - Positive Parenting Program's effectiveness in strengthening communication and relationships among families in Santa Cruz County by teaching practical, scientifically-proven parenting strategies.
Download the Executive Summary | Download the full report
Santa Cruz Sentinel - "January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month"
Santa Cruz Sentinel - "Positive Parenting Program report released; founder says Santa Cruz County is a leading example"
Register-Pajaronian - "Praise for parenting program - Triple P celebrates 5 years"
My Scotts Valley - "Five-year report shows Triple P's effectiveness in bettering lives of local children"
Univision Noticias - VIDEO: "Programa 'Triple P' para padres en condado de Santa Cruz"
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