www.awareparenting.com

Transforming families around the world

P.O. Box 206, Goleta, CA 93116 U.S.A.
(805) 968-1868 (phone and fax)
e-mail: info@awareparenting.com

1. Read the most recent editions of Aletha Solter's four books: The Aware Baby, Helping Young Children Flourish, Tears and Tantrums and Raising Drug-Free Kids. You must understand and agree with the philosophy of parenting described in them.

2. Attend at least one of Aletha Solter's workshops. Minimum required: 4 hours. It must be a live workshop.

3. Have at least one year of experience using the Aware Parenting approach with children (as a parent, babysitter, early childhood educator, etc.). You do not need to be a parent to qualify for certification.

4. Have personal experience in your own life with the benefits of emotional healing through laughter, crying and raging. Be committed to eliminating your own control patterns and addictions. If you smoke, you will need to quit smoking before becoming certified.

5. Have practical experience working with groups of adults.

6. Be able to read English. Correspondence from the Institute is in English (including the quarterly newsletter).

7. Agree that you will:

• Provide not only information, but also emotional support and encouragement to parents.
• Encourage people of all races, religions, and backgrounds to attend the Aware Parenting classes that you teach.
• Use Aletha Solter's books and workbooks in the classes that you teach.
• Not combine Aware Parenting with any religious belief system, or other theories, practices, or techniques (unless you have consulted with Aletha Solter about this).
• Be committed to ending all forms of oppression of children (including all forms of punishment).

Application Procedure: (Printable application form)

To apply to become certified, please send the following items all together in the same envelope to Aletha Solter, Aware Parenting Institute, P.O. Box 206, Goleta, CA 93116, U.S.A.: 1) the completed application form with your written application (printed, not hand written), 2) a letter of recommendation, and 3) your payment.

We do not accept applications or letters of recommendation by email. Please note that Dr. Solter does not have the time to read applications or conduct certification interviews during her workshop tours. Also, please mail your application to the address above, rather than give it to her during her travels. Thank you.

The written application (printed), should be divided into four sections with the following headings:

a) Pertinent background information about yourself (including education and work history).

b) Reasons for wanting to be an Aware Parenting instructor.

c) Why you feel that you are qualified to teach this philosophy (refer to the requirements above). Include details for requirements 3, 4, and 5.

d) Proposed teaching plans.

Letter of Recommendation.

Send a letter of recommendation from somebody who knows you well, either personally or professionally (who is not related to you or employed by you). Be sure the person signs the letter and includes his or her contact information (street address, email address, and telephone number).

Payment.

The fee for becoming certified is U.S. $50. Please pay by postal money order or a U.S. check made out to Aletha Solter. If you are in Europe, the fee is 50 euros. Please contact Aletha Solter for payment methods from other countries.

Interview.

After receiving your application materials, Aletha Solter will contact you to arrange a telephone interview.

After you become certified, you will receive a certificate and a packet of teaching charts (in English, French, German, or Spanish), and your name will be added to our internet list of Aware Parenting Instructors, as well as the list of instructors on our web page for your country. You will also receive a quarterly newsletter with information about Aware Parenting activities around the world. Certification is valid for two years with possibility of renewal after that time.