Restorative Parenting Classes

The 12-Week Restorative Parenting Curriculum is a trauma-informed, skill-building program designed to support parents and caregivers involved with Children, Youth and Families Services. Grounded in restorative practices, neuroscience, and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) research, the curriculum equips parents with practical tools to improve relationships, increase accountability, and promote long-term family stability.

This curriculum aligns with CYF goals by strengthening protective factors, reducing recurrence of system involvement, and supporting safe, nurturing home environments.

Why Restorative Parenting?

Many parents involved with CYF have their own histories of trauma, stress, and disrupted attachment. Traditional punitive or compliance-based parenting approaches often fail to address these root causes. Restorative Parenting focuses on healing, skill development, and relationship repair—rather than punishment alone.

Core Curriculum Topics:

1. ACEs: Understanding the Effects of Trauma - Parents learn how adverse childhood experiences impact brain development, emotional regulation, and behavior—for both children and adults. This awareness reduces shame, increases empathy, and promotes healthier responses to stress.
2. Personal and Intentional Growth - Parents reflect on their own upbringing, triggers, and belief systems. The curriculum supports accountability while empowering parents to make intentional, values-based parenting choices.
3. Logical and Effective Consequences - Parents learn how to replace punitive reactions with developmentally appropriate, restorative consequences that teach responsibility, repair harm, and maintain connection.

Additional focus areas include:

• Emotional regulation and co-regulation
• Restorative communication and active listening
• Power, control, and healthy authority
• Repairing harm and rebuilding trust
• Strength-based discipline strategies

Benefits for Parents:

• Increased understanding of their own trauma responses
• Improved emotional regulation and stress management
• Stronger parent-child relationships
• Greater confidence and consistency in parenting
• Reduced reliance on punitive or reactive discipline
• Increased engagement and follow-through with CYF goals

The Restorative Parenting Curriculum offers more than parenting education—it provides healing, insight, and sustainable change. By addressing trauma, building skills, and restoring relationships, this program supports families in meeting CYF expectations while promoting long-term well-being for children and caregivers alike.