'Parenting Without Power Struggles': Susan Stiffelman to Talk at Valley Beth Shalom

Valley Beth Shalom's youth department is hosting a free series of four lectures  on the subject of parenting. On Dec. 6, author, family therapist, teacher, parent coach and mother Susan Stiffelman will talk about 'Parenting Without Power Struggles' at the temple.

Click on the video above to hear Stiffelman talk about her work.

Debi Arditi, a VBS congregation member who is helping to organize the lectures, spoke to Patch in early November and said that the talks focus on issues concerning teens in the years after they've been bar or bat mitzvahed.

"We're looking for a niche for parents and children to stay involved," said Arditi, adding that the series content was developed with the help of a congregant who is also a pediatrician. "The lecture series is free and we've got some great speakers, it's a great opportunity."

Speaking about the upcoming lecture, Arditi said that she heard Stiffleman talk at her daughter's school in Brentwood, and thought that the author would be perfect for VBS's second lecture on the theme of communication.

The series started on November 1 with a talk by ethnicist and radio commentator Michael Josephson. The second lecture, by Stiffleman, will focus on communication. The third, in February, will be about stress relief, and the last one will focus on teenage sexuality.

VBS's Youth Department has social events for children and teens, from bowling on Sundays to Tuesday evening dinners and social-action projects. To find out more about the temple's programming for parents and children, click here to visit the temple's youth program web page.

'Parenting Without Power Struggles,' Thursday Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m., Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd (at the corner of Densmore Avenue, west of Haskell), Tel: 818-788-6000.