There's no doubt that raising children through their teenage years into young adulthood can be a challenging time for families.

And that's why the Parent-to-Parent Support Group is offered by the Okotoks Family Resource Centre.

Sherri Mullen, Family Resource Centre Coordinator, says parents who attend the confidential group can expect to come away with suggestions and strategies for dealing with challenging behaviours.

"Really the group is just a safe place to share those experiences," Mullen explains. "To receive and to give emotional and practical support, and to exchange information about what might work, different strategies that can be used and to get some self-care."

She says issues that parents commonly seek help with include teens' disrespectful behaviour, suspected drug and alcohol abuse, running away, as well as school avoidance.

Mullen says that while the support group may not solve every issue associated with raising youth and young adults, it offers advice from parents who have been there, and helps reassure parents that they're not alone in their journey.

"If the teenager is hurting, often the whole family is hurting," Mullen says. "So, it's great that there's a place that parents can get support."

The Parent-to-Parent Support Group meets Thursday evenings and is geared towards supporting parents of youth between the ages of 10 and 23.

For more information on how to become involved with the group, contact the Okotoks Family Resource Centre.

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