Parent Engagement Network

Susan Caso: The Parent-Teen Connection Book Group (Hybrid) - session 3
2026-04-28 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Denver) | Boulder Family Counseling, 4410 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 10, Boulder, CO, United States
Meet • Connect • Share • Learn 📚
Are you interested in getting together with other parents to discuss Susan Caso’s, The Parent-Teen Connection?
Join a hybrid 3-part discussion group led by Susan Caso
Date: Tuesdays April 14, 21, and 28
Time: 12-1:00 pm
Location: Boulder Family Counseling, 4410 Arapahoe Avenue, Suite 10, Boulder
Click Here to reserve your space. (note: please register for all 3 sessions)
For those who would like to attend virtually, a link will be sent to you.

Teens need their parents now more than ever, and a parent’s ability to support their teen during the current milieu can be shaped by the emotional bond in their relationship. In The Parent-Teen Connection, Susan Caso provides valuable insights and proven strategies to cultivate a “felt connectedness” in the family. The path to engagement and harmony at home can be baffling, but with new communication tools, Susan guides parents to build trust with their teens to overcome any obstacle.
Learn more about Susan Caso and The Parent-Teen Connection https://susancaso.com/the-parent-teen-connection/

Questions? Contact Paula Nelson at paula.nelson@parentengagementnetwork.org.

Navigating AI: An Evening Workshop
2026-04-30 18:30 - 20:00
Ready to feel confident about your family’s digital life?
Build your playbook: Turn uncertainty into clarity, confidence, and empowerment.
Join AI experts (and fellow parents!) as they help you move from confusion and concern to clarity, confidence, and agency in this workshop for parents and children of all ages.

Date: April 30, 2026 | 6:30—8:00 PM
Location: YMCA| 2800 Dagny Way | Lafayette, CO 80026
REGISTER HERE
(note: Sliding scale ticket pricing. Select one ticket per family.)
✨ Registration includes pizza and a complimentary copy of Whit’s new book, Family Throughlines.

Together, we’ll explore:

What AI can and can’t do.
How AI is showing up in schools and daily life.
What healthy, practical guidance looks like for people at different ages and stages.

Presenters:

Bobby Hodgkinson: Associate Teaching Professor, Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU Boulder and father of BVSD 7th and 5th graders.
Michael Whitaker (“Whit”): SVP of Strategy and Organizational Innovation at ICF, author of Family Throughlines, and father of BVSD 9th and 6th graders.

Leave informed, empowered, and equipped with practical strategies and shared language to navigate this rapidly changing world.

REGISTER TODAY (note: one ticket per family)

PEN Ambassadors: May 2026 Meeting
2026-05-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 506 Via Appia Way, Louisville, CO, 80027, United States
Hello PEN Ambassadors and parents interested in becoming Ambassadors! Please join us for our May 2026 meeting from 6:30–8:00 PM at Christ the Servant Lutheran Church, 506 Via Appia Way, Louisville, CO 80027.
We are growing! Visit our new PEN Ambassadors page.
Please share about PEN across your parent communities, and invite others to become Ambassadors and join our growing community!

Fentanyl: What Every Family Needs to Know
2026-07-09 18:30 - 20:00 | Lafayette YMCA, 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette, CO, 80026, United States
> REGISTER TODAY
Join us for this very important – and life-saving – educational program.

Facts and myths about fentanyl.
How to identify an overdose.
How to save a life with Nalaxone (aka Narcan).
Why fentanyl testing strips don’t always work.
What laws protect your child when calling 911.

Presented by:

Trina Faatz, MA, CPFS, PRC, ADS. Affected family member and parent.
Mila Long, CAS, ADS, Brainspotting Therapist, Registered Psychotherapist, Peer Recovery Coach. Person in recovery with lived experience.

DETAILS

WHO: Adults & Youth (ages 14+)
WHEN: 6:30-8 PM, Thursday, July 9, 2026
WHERE: YMCA Northern Colorado
ADULT TICKETS: $5/10/15 sliding scale — pay what works for your family’s budget
YOUTH TICKETS (ages 14-18): $5
Light snacks will be provided.

Community Resources Available at the Event:

Natural Highs: AcuDetox•AcuWellness
The Full Circle Program
CRAFT

Special thanks to the YMCA of Northern Colorado for hosting.

Parent Ambassadors 2026/27 School Year Kickoff
2026-08-31 18:00 - 20:00 | Lafayette YMCA, 2800 Dagny Way, Lafayette, CO, 80026, United States
Join us for our 2026/27 kickoff meeting!
Open to returning Parent Ambassadors & anyone interested in becoming an Ambassador!
We’re launching the new school year with an Ambassador gathering focused on learning, connection, and preparation for the year ahead:

PEN’s foundation
What does it mean to be an Ambassador?
Tools and strategies to equip you in your role
Build community with other Ambassadors
2026/27 Program Calendar

Food and refreshments will be served.
RSVP to Nancy Davis at: nancy.davis@parentengagementnetwork.org.

Celebrate Together! ¡Celebrando Juntos!
2026-09-12 10:00 - 13:00 | TLC Learning Center, 1444 E 3rd Ave, Longmont, 80501, United States
en español Sign up for Celebrate Together! ¡Celebrando Juntos!

FREE TO ATTEND!
Join us for fun, food, and community at the TLC Learning Center in Longmont! This all-ages, inclusive event is a celebration of coming together, united — across languages, cultures, and experiences. Celebrate Together! ¡Celebrando Juntos! will feature music, delicious food, family activities, and interactive experiences for the whole family. Explore wellness experiences and connect with trusted local resources that support parents and caregivers. Whether you’re looking to make new connections, discover helpful resources, or simply enjoy a fun-filled day with your family, there’s something for everyone.
Music: Sontres Banda Latino and TLooP
Complimentary Beverages: Mapleview Coffee Co.
Food: Flautas Los Dorados de Villa
Family Magic Show: Mysto the Magi
Entertainment – Family Yoga – Yard Games – Face Painting – Wellness Practices – Community Resources
Come celebrate who we are, honor our diverse cultures, recharge our bodies, minds, and spirits, and remember that building strong communities starts with showing up!

One Day. One Heart. One Community.
Un Día. Un Corazón. Una Comunidad.
Let us know you’ll join us. Register today!

This event is offered at no cost thanks to generous support from the City of Longmont Human Services, Denver Foundation, and Colorado Trust.

Thanks to our co-sponsors, TLC Learning Center (event host), Early Childhood Council of Boulder County, and IFF (Instituto para el fortalecimiento familiar).

Celebrate Together! ¡Celebrando Juntos! (español)
2026-09-12 10:00 - 13:00 | TLC Learning Center, 1444 E 3rd Ave, Longmont, 80501, United States
¡Regístrese hoy!
¡Entrada gratuita!
¡Acompáñenos a disfrutar de un día de diversión, comida y comunidad en TLC Learning Center en Longmont! Este evento inclusivo para todas las edades celebra la unión de nuestra comunidad a través de los idiomas, las culturas y las experiencias compartidas.
¡Celebrate Together! ¡Celebrando Juntos! contará con música, deliciosa comida, actividades familiares y experiencias interactivas para toda la familia. Explore sesiones de bienestar y conéctese con recursos locales en un espacio de apoyo diseñado para motivar y conectar. Ya sea que desee hacer nuevas conexiones, descubrir recursos útiles o simplemente disfrutar de un día lleno de diversión con su familia, hay algo para todos.
Música: Sontres Banda Latino y TLooP
Bebidas gratuitas: Mapleview Coffee Co.
Comida: Flautas Los Dorados de Villa
Espectáculo de magia para toda la familia: Mysto the Magi
Entretenimiento – Juegos al aire libre – Pintacaritas – Prácticas de bienestar – Recursos Comunitarios
Venga para juntos celebrar quiénes somos, honrar nuestras culturas, recargar nuestros cuerpos, mentes y espíritus, y para recordar que construir comunidades fuertes comienza con estar presente.

Un Día. Un Corazón. Una Comunidad. | One Day. One Heart. One Community.
¡Háganos saber que nos acompañará! ¡Regístrese hoy!

Este evento se ofrece sin costo gracias al generoso apoyo de la Ciudad de Longmont Human Services, la Fundación Denver y Colorado Trust.

Agradecemos también a nuestros copatrocinadores: TLC Learning Center (sede del evento), IFF (Instituto para el fortalecimiento familiar), Early Childhood Council of Boulder County.

The Anxious Generation – Parenting Book Group
2026-09-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Lafayette Public Library, 775 Baseline Rd, Lafayette, CO, 80026, United States
Register for this Parenting Book Group
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt
Explore how childhood has shifted from play-based to phone-based, and the effects of this change on children’s mental health and social development.

DATES: Tuesdays: September 15, 29 and October 13, 27
LOCATION: Lafayette Public Library, 775 W. Baseline Road, Lafayette, CO 80026
TIME: 6:00–7:00 PM
FACILITATOR: Leticia Abajo, Founder, Deshaciendo Nudos. Untangled
SPACE IS LIMITED. Commitment to attend all 4 sessions is required.

Participants will be creating a family plan to reduce screen time and support youth.
*Once registered, participants can pick up a copy of the book at the library to borrow at no cost.
Note: This book group will be in English with no interpretation.

About PEN Parenting Book Groups:
Parenting doesn’t come with a how-to manual, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
PEN’s Parenting Book Groups are a welcoming space where parents and caregivers come together to discuss research-based parenting books, share experiences, build meaningful connections, and learn from one another with the guidance of an experienced facilitator.
Through thoughtful conversations, you’ll deepen your understanding of yourself and your child(ren), gain practical tools you can use in everyday life, and discover new perspectives alongside others on the parenting journey.
Previous participants describe PEN Parenting Book Groups as a “welcoming, supportive environment where every voice is heard.” Participants leave feeling more confident and better equipped to navigate the joys and challenges of parenting.
Books will be available to borrow at no cost from the hosting library.

My Sister Liv: A Film Screening
2026-09-17 18:30 - 20:30 | Dawson School, 10455 Dawson Dr, Lafayette, 80026, United States
>Register Here

MY SISTER LIV is a documentary film that features sisters Tess and Liv, who from a young age are inseparable, with what seems to be an unbreakable bond. However, as Liv enters adolescence and struggles with the relentless pressures of social media, depression, body dysmorphia, and often thoughts of suicide, her big sister Tess struggles to help her.
MY SISTER LIV is a rare and riveting journey into the life of a young girl and her loved ones. As Tess and her family learn to cope with unthinkable loss, they begin the heartbreaking journey to understand the circumstances that led to Liv’s death and learn from experts who give real solutions and hope.
Directed by Grammy Award Winning Director, Alan Hicks, and produced by Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy award-winning producer, Paula DuPré Pesmen.
> Watch Film Trailer

Hosted by Parent Engagement Network with venue host Dawson School.
Open to teens (ages 14+) and adults.
A post-screening panel discussion will include:

Susan Caso, MA, LPC, The Liv Project’s Mental Health Advisor
Jenna Candreia, Executive Director of The LIV Project
Jenny Hecht, LCSW
Liv’s mother, Honey Buef, and sister, Tess

Rise Against Suicide, the HOPE Coalition of Boulder County, Colie’s Closet, CAT/WellMind Connection, and other community organizations will be onsite, providing information and answering questions about locally available resources.
Spanish subtitles will be provided, and interpretation will be available upon request.

DETAILS

WHO: Adults & Youth (ages 14+)
WHEN: 6:30-8:30 PM , Thursday, September 17, 2026
WHERE: Dawson School
PRICE (per person): $5/10/15 sliding scale — pay what works for your family’s budget

$5 Youth Tickets (ages 14-18)

>Register Here

Disclaimer: The film, My Sister Liv, presented by The Liv Project, discusses youth mental health and suicide. Participation is optional. This film has been crafted with a team of therapists, including Susan Caso, MA LPC, The Liv Project’s Mental Health Director. In addition, the film was vetted by team members at the Children’s Hospital Colorado Pediatric Mental Health Institute to ensure the content was accurate and safe. The film has been approved for youth ages 14 and up. Topics in the film include suicide, depression, anxiety, self-harm, bullying, sexual assault, and grief. Please take care while watching.

Grupo de Lectura sobre Crianza: Los Cuatro Acuerdos
2026-09-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event (zoom)
Grupo de Lectura sobre Crianza – en Español (virtuales):

Regístrase aquí

Libro: Los Cuatro Acuerdos de Don Miguel Ruiz
En Los cuatro acuerdos, don Miguel Ruiz revela la fuente de todas las creencias que nos ponen límites y nos privan de alegría, creando sufrimiento inútil. Basados en la antigua sabiduría tolteca, Los cuatro acuerdos nos ofrecen un poderoso código de conducta que puede transformar inmediatamente nuestra vida en una nueva experiencia de libertad, dicha absoluta, y amor.

Facilitadora: Leticia Abajo, Deshaciendo Nudos. Untangled
Fechas: 22 de septiembre, 6 de octubre, 20 de octubre y 3 de noviembre de 2026
Horario: 6:00 a 7:00 p.m.
Ubicación: Virtual (se enviará un enlace de Zoom después de registrarse)
Los libros estarán disponibles sin costo. Le enviaremos los detalles.

Regístrase aquí

Acerca de los grupos de lectura sobre crianza de PEN:
La crianza no viene con un manual de instrucciones, pero no tienes que descubrirlo todo por tu cuenta.
Los Grupos de Lectura sobre Crianza de PEN son un espacio acogedor donde padres, madres y personas cuidadoras se reúnen para conversar sobre libros de crianza basados en investigaciones, compartir experiencias, crear conexiones significativas y aprender unos de otros con la guía de una persona facilitadora con experiencia.
A través de conversaciones reflexivas, profundizarás en tu comprensión de ti mismo(a) y de tu(s) hijo(s), adquirirás herramientas prácticas que puedes utilizar en la vida diaria y descubrirás nuevas perspectivas junto a otras personas que también están recorriendo el camino de la crianza.
Participantes anteriores describen los grupos de lectura sobre crianza de PEN como un “ambiente acogedor y de apoyo donde cada voz es escuchada”. Las personas participantes terminan sintiéndose con más confianza y mejor preparadas para afrontar las alegrías y los desafíos de la crianza.

Brainstorm: Parenting Book Group
2026-09-30 18:00 - 19:30 | Erie Community Library, 400 Powers St, Erie, CO, 80516, United States
Registration opens August 19. Sign up through Erie Community Library:
Register here

Brainstorm by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D.
Between the ages of 12 and 24, the brain changes in important, and oftentimes maddening, ways. It’s no wonder that many parents approach their child’s adolescence with fear and trepidation. According to renowned neuropsychiatrist Daniel Siegel, however, if parents and teens can work together to form a deeper understanding of the brain science behind all the tumult, they will be able to turn conflict into connection and form a deeper understanding of one another.
In Brainstorm, Siegel illuminates how brain development impacts teenagers’ behavior and relationships. Drawing on important new research in the field of interpersonal neurobiology, he explores exciting ways in which understanding how the teenage brain functions can help parents make what is in fact an incredibly positive period of growth, change, and experimentation in their children’s lives less lonely and distressing on both sides of the generational divide.

DATES: September 30th, October 7th & 14th
TIME: 6:00 – 7:30 PM
LOCATION: Erie Community Library, 400 Powers St, Erie, CO 80516
FACILITATOR: Dan Fox, LPC
Dan has spent the past 25 years helping adolescents (and their families) with the work of growing into healthy, happy adults. Learn more about Dan.

Registration opens August 19
*Once registered, participants can pick up a copy of the book at the library to borrow at no cost.
Note: This book group will be in English with no interpretation.

About PEN Parenting Book Groups:
Parenting doesn’t come with a how-to manual, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
PEN’s Parenting Book Groups are a welcoming space where parents and caregivers come together to discuss research-based parenting books, share experiences, build meaningful connections, and learn from one another with the guidance of an experienced facilitator.
Through thoughtful conversations, you’ll deepen your understanding of yourself and your child(ren), gain practical tools you can use in everyday life, and discover new perspectives alongside others on the parenting journey.
Previous participants describe PEN Parenting Book Groups as a “welcoming, supportive environment where every voice is heard.” Participants leave feeling more confident and better equipped to navigate the joys and challenges of parenting.

Books will be available to borrow at no cost from the hosting library.

Roots & Wings: 25th Anniversary Celebration
2026-10-01 17:30 - 21:00 | Nissi’s Entertainment Venue & Event Center, 1455 Coal Creek Dr Unit T, Lafayette, CO, 80026
Save the Date…
October 1, we invite you to join us for Roots & Wings, our 25th Anniversary Celebration, an evening of storytelling, celebration, and vision. You’ll hear from parents who started it all, meet parents and families whose lives have been changed, and have the opportunity to shape what comes next. The night will include dinner, dancing, and an auction. We can’t wait to celebrate an incredible 25 years of supporting parents and families!
Save the date. More details coming soon!

The Parent-Teen Connection - Parenting Book Group at Boulder Library
2026-10-12 17:30 - 18:45 | Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, 80302, United States
Register for this Parenting Book Group
The Parent-Teen Connection by Susan Caso
We spend so much time preparing our children for life, but one of the greatest gifts we can give them is a relationship they can always come home to. Join author, therapist, and parent Susan Caso for this three-part discussion series to explore how intentionally cultivating connectedness can strengthen communication, create greater harmony at home, and become a lasting source of resilience through every stage of adolescence.

DATES: October 12th, 19th, 26th
TIME: 5:30 – 6:45 PM
LOCATION: Boulder Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO 80302
FACILITATOR: Susan Caso, Author, Mental Health Advisor for The Liv Project, Strategic & Technical Advisor for My Sister Liv (film), Emotionally Focused Trained Therapist

*Once registered, participants can pick up a copy of the book at the library to borrow at no cost.

Session 1 (October 12): Connectedness, Belonging & Effective Communication
What if the key to better communication with your teen isn’t finding the right words, but creating the kind of relationship where they want to talk? Discover how connectedness and belonging lay the foundation for trust, openness, more harmonious interactions at home, and communication that feels meaningful and lasting.
Session 2 (October 19): Looking Inward—The Parent’s Role in Connection
Every parent brings their own experiences, beliefs, and emotional patterns into the relationship with their teen. Through self-reflection and greater self-awareness, you’ll learn how understanding yourself can transform the way you respond to and connect with your child.
Session 3 (October 26): Staying Connected When Life Gets Busy
The greatest threat to parent-teen connection is rarely one big event, it’s the gradual loss of meaningful moments in the midst of busy lives. Explore how technology, outside pressures, and the pace of modern parenting affect family relationships, and learn practical ways to protect connection, so it remains your family’s greatest strength.
Register for this Parenting Book Group
Note: This book group will be in English with no interpretation.

About PEN Parenting Book Groups:
Parenting doesn’t come with a how-to manual, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
PEN’s Parenting Book Groups are a welcoming space where parents and caregivers come together to discuss research-based parenting books, share experiences, build meaningful connections, and learn from one another with the guidance of an experienced facilitator.
Through thoughtful conversations, you’ll deepen your understanding of yourself and your child(ren), gain practical tools you can use in everyday life, and discover new perspectives alongside others on the parenting journey.
Previous participants describe PEN Parenting Book Groups as a “welcoming, supportive environment where every voice is heard.” Participants leave feeling more confident and better equipped to navigate the joys and challenges of parenting.

Books will be available to borrow at no cost from the hosting library.

Navigating AI: An Evening Workshop
2026-10-20 18:30 - 20:00 | Dawson School, 10455 Dawson Dr, Lafayette, 80026, United States
Ready to feel confident about your family’s digital life?
Navigating AI: Build Your Playbook — Evening workshop for families
Join AI experts (and fellow parents!) as they help you move from confusion and concern to clarity, confidence, and agency in this workshop for parents and children of all ages.
WHO: Adults & Youth (ages 10+)
WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 — 6:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: Dawson School Innovation Center | 10455 Dawson Drive | Lafayette, CO 80026
PRICE (per person): $5/10/15 sliding scale — pay what works for your family’s budget
$5 Youth Tickets (ages 10-18)
Scholarships available. Free childcare for children ages 6-11.

REGISTER HERE

Together, we’ll explore:

What AI can and can’t do.
How AI is showing up in schools and daily life.
What healthy, practical guidance looks like for people at different ages and stages.

Presenters:

Bobby Hodgkinson: Associate Teaching Professor, Smead Aerospace Engineering Sciences at CU Boulder and father of BVSD 7th and 5th graders.
Michael Whitaker (“Whit”): SVP of Strategy and Organizational Innovation at ICF, author of Family Throughlines, and father of BVSD 9th and 6th graders.

Leave informed, empowered, and equipped with practical strategies and shared language to navigate this rapidly changing world.

Register today

Adolescent RISE, with Nicholas Thompson
2026-10-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Erie Community Library, 400 Powers St, Erie, CO, 80516, United States
*Registration is through Erie Community Library:
Register here.

Adolescent RISE is a presentation that takes a fun and informative look at the developmental period of adolescence (ages 10 – 25). It includes debunking myths about adolescence, understanding the four qualities of adolescence (risk taking, identity formation, social reorientation, and emotional intensity), and learning about the tweenage brain. With this foundation established, ways to better support our kids will be discussed.
DETAILS

WHEN: October 22, 2026, from 6:30-8:00pm
WHO: Adults/Parents/Caregivers
WHERE: Erie Community Library, 400 Powers Street, Erie, CO 80516

PRICE: This is a no-cost program in partnership with Erie Community Library
Space is limited to 50 participants.

Secure your space today.

About: Nicholas Thompson, LCSW
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, having earned a Bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of North Dakota. I have been working with youth and their families for over 12 years in a variety of settings including middle and high schools, private practice, residential treatment facilities, and detention centers. In addition, I have worked abroad with youth in Brazil and Costa Rica. I have a private practice in Boulder, Colorado and I enjoy facilitating trainings and giving presentations to staff of school districts, middle and high school students, and parents.

What You're Missing in Conversations with Your Teen, with Susan Caso
2026-11-03 18:30 - 20:00 | Dawson School, 10455 Dawson Dr, Lafayette, 80026, United States
Register
The biggest obstacle to communicating with your teen may not be the conversation itself—it may be what happens before the conversation even begins. Join author, therapist, and parent, Susan Caso, for practical insights that help parents foster deeper connection and more meaningful communication.
DETAILS

WHEN: November 3, 2026, from 6:30-8:00pm
WHO: Adults/Parents/Caregivers
WHERE: Dawson School Innovation Center, 10455 Dawson Drive, Lafayette, CO 80026
PRICE (per person): $5/10/15 sliding scale — pay what works for your family’s budget

Scholarships are available. Free childcare is available for children ages 6-11.
Email events@parentengagementnetwork.org for more details.
*A three-part book group — November 10, 17 and December 1 — will follow this talk. Space is limited.
**Register here to secure your space.**

About: Susan Caso, MA, LPC, is a licensed therapist, author, and speaker with over twenty years of experience helping families build strong, emotionally safe connections. She is the author of The Parent-Teen Connection: How to Build Lifelong Family Relationships, endorsed by senior organizational and clinical leaders from UNICEF, Children’s Hospital Colorado, and Crisis Text Line, as well as Dr. Sally Spencer-Thomas, President of United Suicide Survivors International. Susan also serves as a Board Member and Mental Health Advisor for The Liv Project and was the Technical Advisor on the documentary My Sister Liv.
A mother of three who has parented across two generations, Susan has seen firsthand, both professionally and personally, how dramatically the landscape has changed for young people and families. Her work centers on connectedness as one of the strongest protective factors for youth mental health, and she equips parents with practical, research-backed tools to strengthen relationships and safeguard their children’s emotional wellbeing in today’s complex world. Passionate about eliminating mental health stigma, Susan champions families to create the emotional safety that allows relationships and children to thrive.

The Parent-Teen Connection - Parenting Book Group at Dawson
2026-11-10 18:30 - 20:00 | Dawson School, 10455 Dawson Dr, Lafayette, 80026, United States
Register for this Parenting Book Group
The Parent-Teen Connection by Susan Caso
We spend so much time preparing our children for life, but one of the greatest gifts we can give them is a relationship they can always come home to. Join author, therapist, and parent Susan Caso for this three-part discussion series to explore how intentionally cultivating connectedness can strengthen communication, create greater harmony at home, and become a lasting source of resilience through every stage of adolescence.

DATES: November 10th, 17th, and December 1st
TIME: 6:30 – 8:00 PM
LOCATION: Dawson School, Lafayette
FACILITATOR: Susan Caso, Author, Mental Health Advisor for The Liv Project, Strategic & Technical Advisor for My Sister Liv (film), Emotionally Focused Trained Therapist

Session 1 (November 10): Connectedness, Belonging & Effective Communication
What if the key to better communication with your teen isn’t finding the right words, but creating the kind of relationship where they want to talk? Discover how connectedness and belonging lay the foundation for trust, openness, more harmonious interactions at home, and communication that feels meaningful and lasting.
Session 2 (November 17): Looking Inward—The Parent’s Role in Connection
Every parent brings their own experiences, beliefs, and emotional patterns into the relationship with their teen. Through self-reflection and greater self-awareness, you’ll learn how understanding yourself can transform the way you respond to and connect with your child.
Session 3 (December 1): Staying Connected When Life Gets Busy
The greatest threat to parent-teen connection is rarely one big event, it’s the gradual loss of meaningful moments in the midst of busy lives. Explore how technology, outside pressures, and the pace of modern parenting affect family relationships, and learn practical ways to protect connection, so it remains your family’s greatest strength.
Register for this Parenting Book Group
Note: This book group will be in English with no interpretation.

About PEN Parenting Book Groups:
Parenting doesn’t come with a how-to manual, but you don’t have to figure it out alone.
PEN’s Parenting Book Groups are a welcoming space where parents and caregivers come together to discuss research-based parenting books, share experiences, build meaningful connections, and learn from one another with the guidance of an experienced facilitator.
Through thoughtful conversations, you’ll deepen your understanding of yourself and your child(ren), gain practical tools you can use in everyday life, and discover new perspectives alongside others on the parenting journey.
Previous participants describe PEN Parenting Book Groups as a “welcoming, supportive environment where every voice is heard.” Participants leave feeling more confident and better equipped to navigate the joys and challenges of parenting.

Books will be available to borrow at no cost.

Motus Theater Presents: What Love Requires
2026-11-14 18:30 - 20:30 | Lafayette Arts Collective, 201 North Public Road, Lafayette, CO, 80026
Motus Theater & Parent Engagement Network present What Love Requires, a new autobiographical monologue project featuring stories of parents of transgender and nonbinary adults.

In many ways, the job of parents is to support our children to blossom into the unique gift they were meant to bring to the world. However, every parent’s idea of who our children are can be limited by family or societal expectations (You’re supposed to be a doctor like your parents, not a musician!)
For parents of transgender and nonbinary children, supporting our children has particularly high stakes because of the threats our children currently face simply by living their own true gender, and experiencing the joy we all have when we can truly be ourselves.
The performance shares stories of parents supporting their children to not only survive, but thrive. The performance also celebrates the ways parents are liberated from limiting perceptions about gender in the process of truly seeing and learning from their children.
Secure your tickets today!

Monologists include Beth Leyba (she/her), Lynn Kutner (she/her), Cat Lindsey (she/her), and Julie (she/her). Featuring music from acclaimed violinist Anthony Salvo (he/him).
