This bulletin describes how parenting patterns are learned and how the Nurturing Parenting Programs, a group- and home-based intervention effort begun with the support of the National Institute of Mental Health, help stop generational cycles of abuse and neglect by building nurturing parenting skills. Section 1 examines the need for effective intervention. Section 2 discusses how parenting patterns are learned (process and product, abusive and nurturing parent continuum, parent experiences, and behavior and self-image). Section 3 examines abusive parenting and childrearing (e.g., inappropriate parental expectations of children, lack of empathy toward children's needs, and belief in the value of physical punishment). Section 4 discusses theoretical assumptions of the Nurturing Parenting Programs (the family is a system, empathy is the most desirable quality in nurturing parents, parenting exists on a continuum, and no one truly prefers abusive interactions). Section 5 examines program objectives, including: stopping the intergenerational cycle of abuse by building parenting skills, reducing recidivism rates in families receiving social services, and reducing juvenile delinquency rates among at-risk youth. Section 6 presents program content, including target populations, adaptations for special populations, program formats, staff, and session content. Section 7 discusses facilitator qualifications and training. Section 8 describes program evaluation, which indicates that participants show significant posttest changes in parenting attitudes and childrearing practices. (Contains 14 references.) (SM)