United Way’s certified nonprofit partner The Center for Violence-Free Relationships is offering parents an opportunity to compassionately connect with their children even in the toughest of circumstances by teaching compassionate communication. The Center’s “Parenting from your Heart” eight week workshops will give parents the tools they need to parent in a way that is more in harmony with their values.The workshop will be held on Mondays starting on August 19th and ending October 14th from 6-8 p.m.

The “Parenting From Your Heart” series will help parents understand the needs behind their children’s behavior, empower their kids to open up, cooperate and realize their full potential. It will help them handle disagreements, problem behaviors, and tantrums without yelling, spanking or relying on the threat of punishment or the promise of rewards.

This workshop which is designed for couples or divorced parents wishing to better their co-parenting skills, will focus primarily on teaching parents Nonviolent Communication (NVC), founded by Marshall Rosenberg. NVC has been used around the world to mediate conflicts, nurture relationships, and promote peace. NVC is also known in some circles as “giraffe language” because the giraffe has the largest heart of all land mammals. The giraffe symbolizes having a large heart for compassion for one self and others.

“The best part about this workshop is that it allows the parents to stay connected to their desire to love their children consistently and empowers them and their children to connect at the heart level. What happens when this occurs is almost magical,” said Zacapa, who has seen this happen in many parents lives. “The result is parent and child reaching out and working together to meet each others needs compassionately.”

The Center for Violence-Free Relationships is dedicated to building healthy relationships, families and communities free from sexual assault and domestic violence through education, advocacy and services in western El Dorado County.

The “Parenting from Your Heart” workshops will be held at The Center for Violence-Free Relationships a  344 Placerville Dr., Suite 11, Placerville, CA 95667. To register for the workshop or for more information please contact Eddie at 530-295-4210 or EddieZ@thecenternow.org .