As someone that has spent years helping run the
"We have parents come in who are flipping out because their kid's room is a mess or they spend too much time on the computer, then we have other parents whose child is in jail or 14 years old and pregnant," she said.
"There's a very big extreme, but they all come in feeling the same way."
Fernandes-Walker helps run the
"We help people find ways to build better relationships with their kids and get peace in their home," Fernandes-Walker said. "It's been around in the
She said they get around 30 families a week to their
"But I'm sure there are hundreds of more parents out there that could use some help and don't know it's available."
On Saturday, May 27,
The day-long conference is a resource for those looking for help.
"The goal is really to bring awareness to the help that their is support for parents that have these at-risk kids and to provide them with some quick answers and resources for them to get started at least on where they can get help," Fernandes-Walker said.
"What maybe is going on with their kid that they don't understand ... Just getting the word out there."
It will feature keynote speaker Dr. Karyn Gordon and there will be break-out sessions featuring seven other speakers and a panel discussion where participants can submit questions. Fernandes-Walker will also be speaking.
She said APSGO isn't "just a bitch session where you can come in and complain about their kids," it's a practical process that includes homework and concrete strategies that participants are expected to try.
Parents work with coaches to develop strategies to work on over the week until the next meeting.
"It's very action oriented rather than just a support group," Fernandes-Walker said.
The Guelph Chapter of APSGO meets weekly on Monday nights from
More information and tickets for the upcoming conference can be found at www.guelphparenting.com.
