A program called Strong Families: Competent Kids was developed in response to the growing number of latchkey kids. The goals of the program are to help parents determine when their children are ready for self-care and to provide children with skills to manage self-care safely and confidently. It does not advocate that children should be left in self-care, but it does provide guidance for advance preparation that enables children to be safe, act responsibly, and feel good about themselves. The program has two components: in-school classes for children and a family workshop. This guide was designed for leaders of the family workshops. Background information about the program and a workshop agenda are provided. The remaining sections of the guide include: (1) a checklist parents can use to determine their children's readiness for self-care; (2) a list of ways parents can build their children's self-esteem; (3) a guide for making and enforcing house rules and holding family meetings; (4) strategies for reducing the level of conflict between siblings; (5) strategies for preparing children to handle peer pressure; (6) information about publicity and advertising of workshops; and (7) activities for children that can be used at the workshop. Worksheets, cartoons, and other illustrations that can be copied and used in the workshop appear throughout the guide. (GLR)