Classes help make ‘Parenting a Pleasure’

Photos by Esther K. Smith
Recent graduates of a Next Door, Inc. parenting class
at Frankton Building are, standing left to right: Heather Kincaid, Andria Hakala, Kimberly Martinez, Jenni Jostad, Jerri Mayo, and Guy Fenner; adults, kneeling, left to right: Jennifer Gray, Kate Brownback, Heather Cosgrove, facilitator Catherine McLandress. Kids, left to right are Keeley Brownback, Mitchell Gray, Tanner Brownback,
Ian Gray, and Josue Martinez.

News staff writer
April 1, 2006

Parents learn and talk, and kids get to play, in an informative series of New Parent Services parenting classes known as “Hot Topics for Parents of Toddlers and Preschoolers.”

New Parent Services will host “Make Parenting a Pleasure,” a parenting class in English, April 3 to June 12 on Monday nights at Westside Elementary School, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

The most recent round of the parenting classes, sponsored by New Parent Services and Providence Hood River Memorial Hospital, held its last session at Frankton Early Childhood Center March 21.

The classes covered “Strategies to Gain Cooperation with Your Children,” “Developmentally Appropriate Discipline for your Child,” and “Keeping Your Cool with Your Child & Taking Care of Yourself.”

Comments from the parents included the following:

* “I learned my kids are normal.”

* “The many parenting tools we learned will help me out with my children.”

* “We talked about how to deal with situations that come up in everyday life.”

Almost all of the parents asked for more classes, according to coordinator Nancy Johanson Paul.

In the April-through-June series, moms and dads will enjoy learning to motivate their children, set limits, reduce stress, and improve family relationships.

This 10-week session is for parents of children up to age 9.

Space is limited to 20 adults.

Free child care is offered for children 6 months to 9 years, and dinner is provided for the family.

A $30 gift card will be given to each adult who attends a minimum of 7 of the 10 sessions.

For more information or to register call Pily or Barb at Westside Elementary School, 386-1535 or Johanson Paul at New Parent Services, 386-8433, ext. 303.