Before taking Connie’s Joyous Parenting Foundation Class, my six-year-old son Paul and I were often fighting. I often felt trapped in a parent/child relationship that was unfulfilling for me and not meeting my son's needs. It’s been a struggle for me since he was a toddler.

This class was highly recommended by a friend. Plus, the teleconference made it easy for me to fit into my schedule.

In the class, I learned to enjoy my child for who he is, however challenging that may be, and be happy and proud he's unique. I also realized how much I need to take better care of myself, specifically developing a social life and personally fulfilling activities that are separate from my time with my son.

We have a ways to go, but things are definitely better since taking the class. I'm happy and more relaxed when I'm with Paul because I know I am taking care of my needs separately. I don't have to feel isolated and lonely because Paul is difficult.

I've stuck to the new routine I developed with Connie in my private coaching session regarding shopping with Paul. I've been able to run errands with him without feeling like I'm always running after him. Shopping, while not completely relaxing, is much more enjoyable.

The class also validated a lot of my concerns and made me feel less alone in trying to make things better in my relationship with my son.

The Joyous Parenting Foundation Class is a wonderfully insightful and supportive class that will help you nurture the loving relationship you wish to have with your child. - Lura Taylor, Carlisle, Massachusetts

Before taking the Joyous Parenting Foundation Class, my older son was not listening and not treating his brother kindly like he should. The challenging thing for me was to try to decide which dicipline would work. There are so many ideas out there, and I started to get confused.

I am patient with my kids but sometimes they drive me to the edge and I want to handle it correctly without damaging them. I want to teach them with love but show them there are consequences for their behavior if they choose a wrong way of doing things.

I decided to take Connie’s class because I was at a lecture of her’s at my son’s preschool, and I liked what she said.

I learned many things from this class. One being that you really need to listen to your child. Also as a parent , we need to word things differently if we want our children to listen to us. I also learned that as a parent that you need time for yourself as well and to care for yourself.

Since the class, my son is treating his brother totally differently. Yes, they have their moments but it is so-o-o much better. My son has always felt loved. I have never sensed that he felt he was not loved. We have a better understanding of each other now.

I also really LOVED the discounted hour coaching call we had that was included in the class where I was more specific with my issues.

I have read other books and it did not seem to help. This class was real to me. It just made sense when Connie spoke. I could apply what she said to my life and how it works for me. This is class is great!! I learned so much in just four weeks! – Kimberly Mehr, Burlingame, CA

The Joyous Parenting Training was a lifesaver for our family. As much as we love each other, our evenings together were often a strain, with dinner a miserable battle ground over what our son ate and how much he ate. Instead of being able to relax after work, I felt like I had more stress until the peace of bedtime. During his first grade year, our son Jasper started showing signs of stress, developing a compulsive jaw-pop and being highly self-critical.

When we started the PWJ training, we saw changes immediately. My husband made more time to just be with the family. When we let go of worrying and managing what Jasper ate, dinner time started to be fun again, a time to kid around and share the day with each other (and he ate more!). We made connection a priority, and found more and more moments of real connection, reading, playing games, or just talking with each other.

Using the principles and exercises from the class, I learned to listen to my son more and struggle with him less. The more I communicated that I trusted him to handle things like getting ready on time in the morning, or to make good choices about food, the more he showed me how capable he is. Jasper's anxiety began to lift, and he began finding more things he liked about school and more aspects of himself that he was proud of.

When he's upset, my son can be pretty mouthy and critical. I learned to calmy establish my boundaries without lecturing. He surprised me several times about half way through the training by coming up to me the next day and apologizing for his behavior without any prompting.

We still have rough patches from time to time, but I feel much more confident that I have good tools to move through them. I know that if I am curious and observe, I usually get good clues for how to change the situation. I know that instead of hearing his angry words as complaints, I can listen for what he is trying to tell me about how he feels and what he needs. And I know if I am patient, usually together, he and I can come up with good strategies together.

Since the Joyous Parenting Training,, my husband and I are much more on the same page with our parenting. We realize we don't have to parent exactly the same way, but we have more confidence in each others ability to nurture our son and to help him grow. Our relationship is better because of it. Thanks, Connie! Isabel Parlett Santa Fe, NM

Before taking Connie’s Joyous Parenting Training, I struggled to understand my seven-year-old son’s emotional needs as an individual. It was one of those things where, because it was right under my nose, I couldn’t see it. I talked with friends who have children, but I would often find their style of parenting incompatible with my view. And of course what worked within their family was not always transferable to my son. So, it wasn't realistic to expect that their advice would work for me or my boy.

One of our biggest challenges would often crop up at mealtime. Our son didn’t have good eating habits. Being concerned that he didn't eat enough, I would offer reminders and direction about eating more. But, the experience often devolved to the point where he and I drew our swords and went to battle. My wife and I wanted this time to be one of family connection and sharing. Instead, it was filled with conflict.

I decided to take Connie’s training because I was curious to learn more about who this little person is and how he navigates the world. I wanted to know what interested Jasper, what was scary to him, what he wanted from me. Growing up without a father-figure in my life made it hard for me to have a frame of reference for how a father relates to his son.

During the training, I learned how to relate with Jasper more as a person and not as some romantic or contrived notion of what a father should be. I discovered how much closer Jasper and I could be when I was more myself with him.

I also now know how to approach challenges as a team with my wife. We have more consistency in what we do and a better sense of how to work together as parents.

The best thing I got from the Joyous Parenting Training is a closer relationship with my son. I realize now how much he likes to just hang out with me, his dad. I don’t have to manufacture a gee-wow experience for him to be happy. He doesn’t need the drama; he is more satisfied with genuine connection.

Dinner time is more enjoyable now. Jasper focuses on eating and being at the table for as long as he can stand it, and then when excused, takes off to do his own thing. We have much fewer struggles.

The Joyous Parenting Training encourages parents to gain insight into who their child is an individual. I discovered how to have an authentic level of connection with my son and how to deal with his thoughts and feelings without imposing a supposed template of how to parent. I learned how to be the person my child wants to have as his father. – Peter Lipscomb, Santa Fe, NM

I decided to take the Joyous Parenting Training with Connie Allen because I was truly struggling with my relationship with my 15-year-old son. We had fallen into so many bad habits. We were constantly at war. Neither of us would change, so I knew I had to do something to bring back love and respect in our relationship.

I chose the Joyous Parenting Training because that is what I wanted to feel again. Joy and love in my heart for my wonderful son. As I read through Connie's program, I thought, “Wow! This is it! I can do this. It feels right. This will come from my natural authentic self. It's there. I just have to find it.” Other programs were too complicated. I needed to try new behaviors and follow my heart.

In the training, I discovered that I needed to trust and work with my teenager’s will to have autonomy so it could be expressed in a way.. It was I that needed to have the courage to believe in my son and work with him..

Change came right away! There was peace and a harmonious relationship as my natural skills progressed. Conflicts gave way to my more authentic self. I found ways to stop micro-managing my teen so we had more fun together.

I am really glad that I took the responsibility to create joy in our relationship. It feels good to feel love again in my heart! We have children to love and cherish. I'm grateful everyday for the Joyous Parenting Training. - Linda Droll, Tucson Arizona

I agree that boundaries and consistency are important, but "authoritarian" has some bad connotations for me. I too have read numerous parenting books, most of which never stuck and I kept oscillating between "Don't crush that dwarf" and "I'm in charge here."

What I had never learned, because I was raised in a loving but authoritarian environment, was how to set boundaries without attacking/controlling the other person. My approach had always been, I don't like what is happening here so I am going to change you. This "worked" when the kids were smaller and relatively dependent and devoted to me. This tactic failed miserably when my oldest reached the "independence and separation" stage of adolescence.

Suddenly (or so it seemed) it was no longer essential to him that he maintain my good opinion. The establishment of himself took on a greater strength and urgency. Our relationship deteriorated and I watched myself have less and less influence over him--and seemingly had to rely more and more on threats and consequences (which often were basically retributions punishments.) At that age, he was able to shut me out, and he did. Both of us were miserable, but I was the only one willing to admit I cared.

Time for a new approach.

I sought help from Connie Allen who is a parenting counselor. She is WONDERFUL and who helped me reclaim my relationship with my son. I had a few private counseling sessions with her, but what really helped me turn the corner was a 12 week phone-in course my husband and I took this fall.

What did I learn? She pointed out that if I do not have a positive relationship with my son, I will never be able to have any influence over him and so learning how to achieve that positive relationship was more important than any individual behavior issue.

From her, I learned how to speak up for myself and to set boundaries without attacking or trying to change my son (or anyone else for that matter.)

I learned to once again see the good and the wonderful in my son, which I had pretty much lost touch with through my constant irritation, resentment and anger.

I learned how to honor the point of view of my children while at the same time not sacrificing my needs and desires.

I strongly encourage you to check out her site Joy with Children, although it doesn't come close to getting across those essential lessons which I learned in her course. - Beth Haynes, Half Moon Bay, CA

The Joyous Parenting Training is a very unique, intensive and powerful training. I have 2 small children, and I did not like the feeling of having a favorite child. I wanted a more balanced and well nurtured relationship with both of them. Through this training, I’m now able to enjoy each of my children in a special way. My priorities are clear. I used to have lots of questions about whether I’m doing things right, or how to deal with different issues……

All the different exercises we did in class every week helped me find the answers from my heart. This is not a class about “techniques” or “how to” like the hundreds of parenting books available. This is truly a discovery class. It is personalized. It opened up my heart and mind. I’ve attended co-op preschools and sat through many parenting education classes. None of them offer me all the answers as this comprehensive training. The confidence I’ve gained is worth everything… the best investment indeed. - Denise.Long., Redwood City, CA

I now feel my son is a fun person to be around—even for all day! I’ve seen my son become a happier person at home and in his relating with children and adults. He has more self-confidence and less aggression.” - Sharon, mother of 4-yr-old son

"My sons and I have totally transformed how we relate with one another. We are so much more honest, open, and cooperative together. The best part is I see how much happier and confident they feel." - Marilyn, single mom of two teen boys

"We don’t have to yell any more to communicate with each other. We used to yell a lot, especially me. Now we get our needs and wishes met easily, and there is no need to raise our voices at one another." - Annie, mother of 4 children, ages 5 – 14

"I thought I had a great relationship with my kids before I did your training. Wow! I am amazed how much happier and more loving we all are! I feel so much closer to my kids. Thank you so much!" Jean, single mother of 3, ages 3 – 8

My relationship with my 7-year-old son was impossible before I took your class. I can’t believe how much he has changed. We now work things out easily without power struggles and getting angry. The best part is how much I’ve changed. I’m the kind of mom I always wanted to be." - Tina, mother of two, ages 7 and 10

I’m now the kind of mother my wonderful daughter deserves, and I see this reflected in her eyes every day. - Cheryl, mother of 3-year-old daughter