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Submitted by: Centralia College Family Development

When you have a job, you learn as much as you can to make your job easier and to make you better at your job. Parenting is no different. Parenting is your most important career – so why not make it easier and better!

Centralia College Family Development
Barbara and Nate Cravens learn about precision, and patience, in a tasty, yet educational, activity during Social Kids class. Photo credit: Victoria Romero

Attending a parenting class at Centralia College does not mean you have done something wrong or are a bad parent. It means you care enough to add to and improve your parenting skills. You want to be the best parent you can be for your child and you are willing to give your time to learn more for them.

Sometimes we need help to deal with a specific struggle and sometimes we just want to improve in all areas. Potty training, setting family rules, talking with your teen – these are all areas where parenting classes can help.

Centralia College Family Development
Jessy Kennedy and her daughter, Lilly, look forward to one-on-one sessions with their “Parents as Teachers” educator, learning that everyday activities that parents already do help their child learn many skills. Photo credit: Kristi Jewell

Certain classes, such as Level Up Parenting, are appropriate for parents with children of any age. Social Kids class helps parents of children with Autism or other behavioral struggles. Strengthening Families helps families with children ages 10-14 as they struggle through those difficult years and many transitions, giving kids the tools they need to respond appropriately to peer pressure. Incredible Years is a great, fun class for parents of kids ages 3-8. Love & Logic helps parents of children ages 5-8 learn to set limits and boundaries with compassion and empathy.

All parenting classes are simply meant to help improve the lives of families, not to judge. Family life will improve as communication increases and stress decreases.

Parents’ comments about what they have learned include:

              • Understanding my child’s emotions and not getting upset with them before I have a chance to find out what’s going on.
              • Working with the kids so they can better themselves.
              • There is more calmness at the house. So, I have been given tools for how to handle different situations.
              • The reasons for behavior.
              • Recognizing things I could have done better and reinforcing things I did well.
              • My yelling has gone down and I’m no longer a drill sergeant.
              • I am calmer!
              • I’m not so quick to react.
              • I have more tools that are very useful.
              • Encourage them, allow them to make mistakes at home now, rather than out of the home.

If these are things you would like to be able to say about your parenting, let Centralia College Family Development program help.

Winter Quarter 2020 Classes

          •  Level Up Parenting (formerly known as TIPS). For parents who really want to up their good parenting skills! Tuesdays 12:00-2:00 p.m. January 7 – March 10 at the Family Resource Center at 402 S. Oak St. No childcare. Cost is free if registering before December 15, $32.00 after.
          • Stronger Together Join other parents in learning about guiding young adolescents towards healthy lifestyles. For parents/guardians and their children ages 10 to 14 (youth must attend with parents). Tuesdays, January 14 – February 25, 5:30-8:00 p.m. FREE! Dinner provided! Class meets at the Centralia College Lab School, 412 S. Oak St. Childcare provided for children under 10. The class is free.
          • Parenting in Recovery Wednesdays 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. January 8 – March 11 at the Family Resource Center at 402 S. Oak St. No childcare. Cost is free if registering before December 15, $32.00 after.
          • Social Kids. Parents and children will both learn strategies for regulating behavior, and children will learn how to advocate for their needs. Saturdays 10:00 – 11:50 a.m. January 4 – March 7 at the Centralia College Child Lab School at 412 S. Oak St. Childcare is provided. Cost is free if registering before December 15, $32.00 after.
          • Learning with Infants and Toddlers For ages birth to 3. Held at the Intot Development Center located at the Northwest Sports Hub in Centralia. Wednesdays 10:00 – 11:50 a.m. or 1:00 – 2:50 p.m., January 8 – March 18. Contact Becca Wickert at 360-736-4359. Parents and children must attend together. Cost is free if registering before December 15, $32.00 after.
            • LeaP in Morton. For ages birth to 3. Tuesdays 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., January 14 – March 24. Contact Laurie Hanson at hanson@lewiscounty.com. The class is free.
          • Parents as Teachers – For pregnant moms or parents with children up to 3 years old who prefer to meet one-on-one with an instructor. Contact Kristi Jewell at jewell@centralia.edu or 360-623-8449. Available in all parts of Lewis County. The class is free.
            • Incredible Years – Learn ways to help your child control their emotions, develop social skills and learn problem-solving. Wednesdays, January 8 – March 11, 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. at Fiddlesticks Preschool, 1209 N. Scheuber Rd., Centralia. The class is $48. Free childcare provided.
          • Love & Logic – Feel more confident as a parent or teacher, have more fun parenting and teaching and feel more relaxed at the end of the day. Tuesdays, January 14 – March 3, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Winlock Elementary School, 405 NW Benton Ave., Winlock. No childcare.

For more information or to sign up for classes, contact Nancy Keaton, Director, at nancy.keaton@centralia.edu or call 360-623-8458.

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