The Mandell JCC’s 7^th Annual Parenting Conference, to be held in West Hartford on Feb. 4, will focus on raising children to manage stress and thrive in a challenging world.

Submitted by Larah Winn, Mandell JCC

The Mandell JCC’s 7^th Annual Parenting Conference offers expert advice on raising children and adolescents that can manage stress and thrive in a challenging world. The conference is presented by The Family Room Parenting Center and PJ Library of Greater Hartford. It will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2015, with a morning keynote at 9:30 a.m., an evening keynote at 7 p.m., and a special program for 7^th and 8^th graders at 3 p.m. in the Herbert Gilman Theater at the Mandell JCC, Zachs Campus, 335 Bloomfield Avenue, West Hartford, CT.

This year’s Parenting Conference will feature pediatrician, child development expert and Professor of Pediatrics, Dr. Kenneth Ginsburg, M.D., M.S. Ed.

Ginsburg is a peditrician and child development expert specializing in Adoloscent Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine. Having received over 30 awards recognizing his research, clinical skills or advocacy efforts, Ginsburg has been named one of Philadelphia Magazine’s “Top Docs” nine times. He has also appeared on CNN, NPR, The Today Show, The CBS morning show and ABC, NBC and CBS Nightly News programs.

In the morning keynote session from 9:30 a.m. to 11: 30 a.m., Dr. Ginsburg will share his well recognized plan to help parents with children from 18 months through 18 years build resilience. The evening keynote focuses on how to foster achievement in children and teens while instilling a love for learning, rather than fear of failure. The Parenting Conference will also feature a free program for teens in 7^th and 8^th grade from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The special workshop will enable teens to think about what they really need to achieve success.

The 7^th Annual Parenting Conference is made possible by the following sponsors: Fierston Financial Group, The Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Data-Mail Inc., TOPS PC, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Lesro, Mathnasium, Coco Lily, Pedicorp, ProHealth Physicians Children’s Medical Group, ProHealth Physicians Newington Pediatrics, Pediatric Dentistry and Waterford Hotel Group.

Tickets to the 7^th Annual Parenting Conference are $20 per person for morning or evening keynote sessions, $30 for both sessions. The teen session is free with a suggested donation of school supplies to be distributed to Greater Hartford area schools in need. For more information or to register, contact the Member Services Center, 860-236-4571.

The Mandell Jewish Community Center is open to everyone and supported by funds raised by the Jewish Federation of Greater Hartford, a recipient of funding from the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Hartford, and a member of the JCC Association of North America. For updates, follow the Mandell JCC on Facebook and Twitter. All dates and programs subject to change.