When I became a parent, I was quite amazed with the intensity of emotions involved in raising my own children. After all, my educational background encompassed child development. Putting into practice my knowledge while in a state of constant change was a daunting task at best. I also discovered that my husband and I had different parenting styles which resulted in different messages to our children. I knew it was important to figure out ways to celebrate our differences, clarify our shared belief in family, and be consistent, loving and present in our children’s lives.

As a professional family life educator, I realized I needed a system; a way of thinking about parenting that would work anytime and anywhere. Over the course of 30 years my passion for assisting adults who care for and about children has deepened. One of the benefits of parent education is recognizing the importance of substantive parent involvement in the home directly relates to academic achievement. I came to realize that the systems I’d developed in the years of parenting as the “ Alden Way” could work and be applied with any family’s makeup, styles and core values. Additionally these Red Yellow and Green Zones allow for authentic conversations between those who care for and about children. The framework provides a perspective for the future as well as survival skills for the present. Children need caring thoughtful adults in their lives. This framework helps caring adults to be consistent, intentional and present. Children thrive with such involvement.