Parenting Mercer Island Parent Lab
Join us for the 2025 Parenting Mercer Island PARENT LAB to learn new skills, connect with other parents, and receive support from MIYFS staff and counselors.
What is a PARENT LAB?
The PARENT LAB workshops are 90-minute interactive programs that will be facilitated by MIYFS staff and school-based counselors. The labs will utilize the content of the Parenting Mercer Island tool to help parents learn new skills and provide an opportunity for connection and support.
PARENT LABS are offered as a 4-part series addressing everyday parenting challenges — register for all 4 workshops or choose topics that most interest you.
Each lab is a 90-minute interactive workshop for parents and those in a caregiving role.
Lessons are based on the 5-step parenting process that is the foundation of Parenting Mercer Island.
Labs are designed to provide participants with new skills and tools you can use right away when interacting with your child/teen!
What is Parenting Mercer Island?
The Parenting Mercer Island tool is a website that provides resources to address everyday parenting challenges by age and issue (0-19). Tools are based on an easy-to-use 5-step parenting process including actions to take and the words to say to engage children. Parenting Mercer Island provides tools and information for parents and those in a parenting role to bolster their parenting skills in growing the social and emotional skills of children. The website content draws on the expertise of professionals in parenting, child development, and mental health. This comprehensive approach ensures the tools and resources are grounded in research and best practices across various relevant fields.
What age groups will be discussed?
We know that some parenting concerns are universal and yet others are unique at each developmental stage. We want to provide the opportunity for you to connect with parents who are at the same point in their parenting journey. Parenting Mercer Island PARENT LABS will be offered in three separate tracks based on your child’s developmental level:
Elementary (K-5)
Middle School (6-8)
High School (9-12)
What topics will be discussed in the PARENT LABS?
The workshops will focus on these specific topics, however; other practical parenting skills will also be taught in the workshops:
LAB #1 - Stress and Anxiety
Are you looking for tips on how to best support a child/teen who experiences stress and anxiety? Participants will learn the basic neurobiology of the stress response, gain tangible tools to support your child/teen, and share tips on how to positively impact your relationship with your child/teen.
LAB #2 - Connection and Communication
Do you feel like your child never listens to you? Do you dread having tough conversations with your teen? Whether your child is in kindergarten or on their way to young adulthood, connection and communication is the foundation of the parent/child relationship. Participants will learn how to create opportunities for connection, gain skills to improve communication with your child/teen, and strengthen your relationship so both your needs and your child’s/teen’s needs are met.
LAB #3 - Guidance and Discipline for Skill Building
Children of all ages are seeking independence and will naturally break rules and test limits. The goal of guidance and discipline for skill building is to grow new skills to replace inappropriate ones. Participants will learn about developmental milestones to help you have reasonable expectations for your child/teen, discuss the benefits of using natural and logical consequences in discipline and understand the importance of teaching your child to repair harm.
LAB #4 - ELEMENTARY TOPIC: Everyday Parenting Challenges
We all know that parenting is important. Figuring it out, isn’t easy. The daily challenges of getting out the door for school on time, involving children in household tasks and guiding your child in their academic work feels like a lot. Participants will learn how to apply the Parenting Mercer Island 5-step parenting process to everyday parenting challenges such as routines, chores, homework and set the stage for important conversations as your child develops.
LAB #4 - MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL TOPIC: Important Conversations to have with your Adolescent/Teen
Risk taking is a normal part of the adolescent/teen years. Adolescents/Teens are more likely than adults to take risks because different parts of their brain are maturing at different times. There are many ways you can increase the likelihood that your teen will engage in healthy risk taking and avoid unhealthy risk taking. Participants will gain an understanding of the harms of youth substance use and learn scripts and tips for having conversations with your adolescent/teen.
Do I need to attend all 4 PARENT LAB workshops?
It is recommended that you attend all 4 workshops in the series to get the most benefit, however; you can pick and choose topics that are most important to you and that best fit your schedule.
Is registration required for the PARENT LAB?
Knowing how many people plan to attend each session helps us prepare the materials and ensure we have a big enough space for all who want to participate, however, registration is not required. Please complete the registration form HERE to attend a single workshop or to register for the series of PARENT LABS.
Will the programs be recorded or be offered to virtual attendees?
The unique, interactive format of these programs means they will only be offered in-person and we will not be recording the sessions. We want participants to feel comfortable sharing with others and therefore we will not be recording the sessions. If you are unable to attend the sessions, visit Parenting Mercer Island and explore a variety of topics to support your parenting journey. If you in need of additional support for you or your child/teen, contact the YFS School-Based Counselor at your child’s school or call the MIYFS Confidential Voicemail at 206.275.7657 for support.
Can I bring my child to the PARENT LAB workshop or is this just for adults?
The workshops are for adults only, but to make it easier for parents of young children to participate we will be offering a supervised activity for children (grades K-5) at the Elementary level parent labs (supervised activities will not be available at Middle School and High School programs).
2025 Parenting Mercer Island PARENT LAB Sessions:
ELEMENTARY (K-5)
6:30-8:00 PM
@ Elementary Schools (see below for specific school)
January 23 - Stress and Anxiety
(Lakeridge Library)February 27 - Connection and Emotional Regulation (West Mercer Library)
April 3 - Guidance and Discipline for Skill Building (Northwood Commons)
May 1 - Everyday Parenting Challenges
(Island Park Library)
NOTE: Labs are open to all MI elementary parents regardless of the meeting location.
MIDDLE SCHOOL (6-8)
6:30-8:00 PM
@ Islander Middle School Library
January 29 - Stress and Anxiety
February 11 - Connection and Communication
March 11 - Guidance and Discipline for Skill Building
April 8 - Important Conversations with your Adolescent/Teen
HIGH SCHOOL (9-12)
6:30-8:00 PM
@ Mercer Island High School Library
January 28 - Stress and Anxiety
March 6 - Connection and Communication
March 27 - Guidance and Discipline for Skill Building
May 5 - Important Conversations with your Teen
Parenting is important. Figuring it out, isn’t always easy.
The Parenting Mercer Island Learning Labs are brought to you by Mercer Island Youth and Family Services and made possible with grant funding by Best Starts for Kids.
