Glenbard parent development series returns after huge year

The Glenbard Parent Speaker Series has come a long way in the last year.

After about 15 years of relative obscurity, with the parent development program averaging about one speaker per school year, a $100,000 donation from the Cebrin Goodman Center allowed coordinators to expand it. Coordinator Gilda Ross brought in national parenting experts and leading authors on a monthly basis.

The response was overwhelming. National television crews made their way to the region to showcase the programming. Parents turned out in droves to get guidance on all kinds of parenting and family issues.

Still, Ross said her goal remains to have the program grow from year to year.

"I would have never imagined to be at a point where people are organizing committees to carry on the cause and see the passion of others," Ross said. "With each year, it's like a concentric circle. I want to push that circle bigger."

The encore after last year's strong series begins today when Harvard graduate and Massachusetts-based child psychiatrist Ned Hallowell presents "From Worry to Joy in Raising Your Teen." The free program starts at 7 p.m. at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn.

"Here we are at the start of Year Two with high expectations," Ross said. "I really feel that this is a tremendous challenge because it was such a successful year. We definitely tried to pick strong speakers to get the series started off right, and that's definitely the case with Dr. Hallowell."

Hallowell was a faculty member at Harvard Medical School for 21 years and speaks to students across the country.

He said programs like the Glenbard Parent Series are invaluable in helping parents handle the changing world.

"Parents need a lot of help these days," he said. "Parents are more worried now than I have ever seen."

Hallowell said his lectures aim to build confidence in parents by preparing them to deal with the changing world.

"(These programs) are more frequent because communities that used to provide the services are not as strong as they once were," he said. "They need more help so they are looking into these seminars. It is a huge deal and they will get a lot out of it. The more people are there, the more they will feel the support and the stronger community it will build."

If you goWhat: "From Worry to Joy in Raising Your Teen," a Glenbard Parent Speaker Series presentation by child psychiatrist Ned HallowellWhen: 7 p.m. todayWhere: Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen EllynCost: FreeInfo: (630) 942-7572 or gilda ross@glenbard.org