Now you can lead your own parent education group online—any time, anywhere. As an Active Parenting Today Online Groups leader, you will teach parents the very same skills as with the regular group. You will still use the entertaining video scenes. You will even be able to facilitate group discussion!

But…no driving, no reserving a room, no worries about traffic or childcare. Parents can participate any time, day or night, so it will be easier than ever to recruit and maintain their involvement. Active Parenting Today Online Groups is a new kind of parenting education: It’s all online—and ready for you!

What are Active Parenting Today Online Groups?
The APT Online Group is the very same course as Active Parenting Today, but it “meets” over the Internet. This 6-session course combines video with online group discussion and reading. Each group is led by a trained parenting education leader: a leader like you.

How does the course work?
Each of the 6 sessions focuses on different parenting issues. Parents will read a chapter in the Parent’s Guide and go through the interactive program online, watching the video vignettes on the CD-ROM. Parents can log on and “attend” each session any time it’s convenient during each weekly session. Everyone in the group can exchange questions and comments via the group bulletin board and a weekly real-time online chat site.

Note: Some families require more help than a parenting education class can provide. Active Parenting Publishers does not guarantee changes in children as a result of attending parenting classes. Our programs are educational in nature, not therapeutic. Throughout the program, parents are taught that change occurs when they (the parents) work to make the changes. If problems persist, please don't give up; seek the help of a social services or mental health professional.

Won’t I miss the face-to-face interaction?
You’ll be surprised at how easy it is to get used to online group interaction once you’ve tried it. You’ll find that you get to know your group through their written communication via the group forum, chats and e-mail in a way that involves everyone, not just those who speak out in class.

How do parents participate?
Students will read a chapter in the Parent's Guide to prepare for each session. They will then go through the fun, interactive program online—reading information, watching video scenes that illustrate examples from real-life situations, responding to questions, and participating in online discussions with you and other parents.

What does the leader do?
Each week, leaders will be expected to monitor the discussions on your group's private online bulletin board. You will help guide their discussions, answer questions, and provide general feedback to supplement each session's materials and enhance the learning experience for each student. You'll also be expected to provide periodic one-on-one feedback to each participant via e-mail. As a leader, you also have the option of scheduling a time to "meet" with your group at the live online chat site.

Completing these leader activities will take approximately 3 hours a week to start. As you become more familiar with the program and answering questions online, your time required will probably lessen. (If you are a slow typist, this will add to your time online.)

What are the requirements?
First, you need to have the desire to help families. Next, you should be Internet-savvy. This means that you are comfortable and self-sufficient navigating the Internet. Experience participating in online bulletin boards or "community forums" would be especially helpful. Since all communication with the parents is done online, you should be very good at expressing your ideas clearly in writing. Good spelling and grammar are also important.

Having experience leading "live" Active Parenting workshops is a plus, but not a requirement.

You must participate in an Online Leader Training Workshop with other potential online leaders to experience the materials and interactive aspects of the course from a parent's point of view. (The cost of the course is $59.95 + s/h.)

Click here for the technical requirements for your computer.

How can I become a paid online leader?
There are two ways that you can participate as an online leader. One way is to become an independent online leader, teaching Active Parenting online to parents you recruit. The other way is to become fully certified by Active Parenting to lead classes filled with parents supplied by Active Parenting. Click here for more information or to get started.