Medfield Group to Host Speaker to Help Parents Cope with Teen Years

Joani Geltman, MSW, an expert in child development and parent-teen relationships, will present her popular talk: "Adolescent Psychology - The Parent Version" to the Medfield Community on Wednesday, May 25 at 7 p.m. in the Lowell Mason Auditorium of the high school.

The community group, Medfield Cares About Prevention, is hosting the information night to give parents and community members the opportunity to learn about the range of changes that occur in adolescence, and how they affect relationships with parents and friends, as well as school life.

The presentation is free and has been funded by the Medfield Coalition for Public Education.

Geltman will provide a range of advice, including how parents can: “teen-proof” their home and relationship; set appropriate limits; develop effective tools for identifying and dealing with teen experimentation with sex, drugs, and alcohol; separate high expectations from unrealistic expectations; and determine the most appropriate consequences for a teen’s emotional well-being.

"[The event] is to help parents and other adults gain a better understanding about the adolescent years," said Medfield Cares About Prevention member, Chris McCue Potts. "It’s also designed to piggyback on the recent screening of Race to Nowhere." 

Geltman has been working as a therapist, parenting consultant, and coach for more than 30 years, and has given this presentation to more than 40 middle schools, high schools, and community groups across Massachusetts. Her presentation on May 25 follows a workshop with Medfield teachers that was held on May 6, which was also funded by the Coalition. As a member of the adjunct faculty of Curry College, and Lesley University, Geltman designs curriculum on child and adolescent development, and also teaches about the topic.

Medfield Cares About Prevention members include: Superintendent of Schools Bob Maguire, Police Chief Robert Meaney, Jr., Medfield High School Principal Judy Noble, Blake Middle School and soon-to-be MHS Principal, Robert Parga, Dawn Alcott, LICSW, and Amanda Peterson, LMHC, from Medfield Youth Outreach, and several other members from the school and local community.