“Get out of my life, but first can you drive Alia and me to the dance?” If this sounds familiar, you might benefit from the upcoming Parenting Teens Workshop on Dec. 4 and 11.

The workshop is sponsored by the Lopez Island Family Resource Center and will be held the first two Saturdays in December, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lopez School Library. It is geared toward parents and others involved in raising middle school through high school teens.

Facilitating the workshop will be Shahn McGuire, a licensed marriage and family therapist. McGuire is a psychotherapist, mediator, and hypnotherapist with a private practice in Friday Harbor, and prior to that practiced as a mental health consultant for Compass Health serving needs on Lopez Island. She frequently consults on issues related to child mental health and family dynamics.

McGuire is passionate about equipping parents with tools to deal with the myriad of challenges that come with raising adolescents. In this class, she will address everyday challenges like helping teens to make decisions, handling conflicts with them, and understanding what is and is not normal adolescent behavior. McGuire’s expertise and practical tips will help prepare parents to better engage in discussions with teens and will include topics ranging from responsible decision-making to school to drugs and sex. Participants will leave better prepared to communicate with and set boundaries with teens and better equipped to survive the struggles of being a parent of an adolescent. Bring your questions and concerns.

There is no charge for this workshop, but pre-registration is required. Childcare will be provided, if arrangements are made before Nov. 30. For more information or to register, call the LIFRC at 468.4117 or Susie Teague at 468.2202 ext. 2135. To keep the event free, participants are asked to bring their own sack lunches.