"You could talk to friends about this, but that's what this program is targeted for," said program organizer Mary MacLeod.

"It's not like, 'we're going over to the Joneses on Saturday and the topic of our kids might come up.'"

MacLeod said common difficulties stem from children forming their own personalities and asserting independence.

"Parents need help going through why their child won't wear what they're telling them to wear."

The workshop will provide short talks, weekly take-home information and camaraderie.

In-class exercises, where parents share their experiences, could be the most valuable because it combats the feelings of "going it alone," common when parenting any age.

Each subsequent child makes parenting easier, but the first one can be difficult, said parent-of-three Michael Cooper.

He has a 12-year-old daughter and shares many familiar concerns as well as new ones.

One new concern is Internet porn.

"I trust her but girls have sleepovers and you never know when someone might not have parents as careful as we are."

Another concern is Internet chat groups.

"I don't go on them too much because they are a waste of time," Cooper said while Hawna was peered up from the computer screen.

"I know how to go on them too," she said.

Cooper notes familiar temptations in society such as drugs, alcohol and cigarettes but he is quick to note both he and his wife are non-smokers.

Cooper said he's not concerned about the onset of purple hair or tongue piercings because Hawna is mature and in a strong family relationship.

"We're proud of her friends," he said. "Not that we try to choose her friends, but we try to discourage those we don't like."

For Yellowknifers going through parenting pre-teens for the first time, Cooper's advice is to spend as much time as you can with them.

"Enjoy them because they don't remain children very long."