If you spend a lot of time talking to your teenagers through a locked bedroom door or trying to make yourself heard through a set of ear phones, don’t despair.Pride Bermuda is offering parenting life skills that will cross even the iPod divide.The two-month programme covers such topics as talking so your children can hear you, being a good example and setting clear standards about drugs.“This is our second parent programme in the series,” said Pride programme director Truell Landy. “This is more for parents of preadolescent, middle school and high school students.“The last time we ran it, based on the dialogue between parents, [we found that] one of the biggest problems for parents is that often children don’t want to hear from their parents.“At that age they are more into what their peers think. Often there is a lot of misunderstanding that goes on. Parents are not always clear in their statements.“For example, they might say ‘be home on time’, but what does that mean? There is one session in particular that zeros in on communication and being clearer in the things you say so you can both be on the same page.”Mrs Landy has two children who are now in their 20s.“I do think that preteens and teens are the most stressful age for parents to deal with,” she said. “The children are trying to find themselves, and parents are trying to get that balance between respecting them, and helping them to develop and mature.“As parents we want to be able to give our children some space when they move from primary school to middle school. You start to loosen the reins a little more.“From my own experience, it is not always a good thing to let them go too soon. Being involved and present in their lives up until college is important.”She said young people may not always act like they appreciate it, but they still need input and positive guidance from their parents. Parents are still the biggest influence in a young person’s life.“Good communication and parental involvement helps to build them up and give them the tools they need for life,” said Mrs Landy. “Ongoing positive dialogue is so important; I can’t stress that enough. Things are not always perfect. As parents we make mistakes, we are not perfect beings, but keep the dialogue open.”The workshop includes a meal for attendees, and a set of exercises to do with your children.“There are usually around 15 parents in a class,” she said. “We find that’s a good number to have.”Pride runs clubs that promote life skills for primary and middle school students.They also run a special group for children who are experiencing anger issues, and another for those experiencing grief or loss related to such issues as a death in the family, divorce or violence.The course runs March 2 to April 20 from 6pm to 8.30pm at Charities House on Point Finger Road in Paget. The deadline for registration is Friday. Registration is $95. For information telephone 295-9970 or e-mail truell[AT]pride.prevention.bm .Useful website: www.pridebermuda.bm.