Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers – This One’s for You! By Johanna Hicks

Parents, Grandparents, Caregivers – This One’s for You!

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service has a wealth of information and I’d like to share one of our many programs with you – Parenting Connections!  Being a parent is simultaneously one of the most challenging, yet rewarding experiences that we will ever have.  Parents have a tremendous responsibility to care for and raise children in a manner that will prepare them to successfully navigate the challenges of life.  Along the way, there are many joys and frustrations.  Because children do not come with an operator’s manual, many parents struggle in this important role.  All parents need guidance and advice when it comes to the important task of raising children.

Regardless of how much or little money we make, or how much or how little education we have, at one point or another, we all find ourselves in need of help so that we can make the best child-rearing decisions possible.  We all make mistakes when it comes to parenting,  The difference, however, between effective and ineffective parents is that effective parents learn from their mistakes.  Moreover, they are willing to do what it takes to become more effective in their role as parents, including learning all they can about their children and what to expect in the years that lie ahead.

“Parenting Connections” is a 4-topic, 2-session series that would be extremely beneficial to parents, grandparents and caregivers.  I encourage you to call and sign up.  There is no charge, but the benefits are great!  Here is a break-down of topics and dates.

  • Thursday, March 23:  Child Growth & Development – we’ll discuss basic principles of development and have an interactive task to add a little fun.  After a short break, we’ll switch gears to Parent-Child Communication and explore communication roadblocks.
  • Thursday, March 30:  Positive Discipline is the topic with which we’ll begin.  In this segment, we’ll discuss different disciplinary parenting styles.  While it may not appear this way on the surface, addressing a child’s misbehaviors provides you with a great opportunity to teach your child valuable life lessons.  We’ll look at some hypothetical scenarios and discuss the disciplinary action that would best suit the situation.  We’ll wrap up the evening with Developing Your Child’s Self-Esteem.  It is commonly thought that if parents can bolster their child’s self-esteem at a young age, the child will be more likely to successfully navigate the challenges of life.  We’ll explore healthy versus unhealthy self-esteem.

Parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone else wishing to attend are all welcome!  If you wish to attend, please contact the Extension Office before 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 21 so adequate preparations can be made.  Certificates of attendance will be available at the conclusion of each session.  Coffee, water, and light refreshments will be available.  Call 903-885-3443 to sign up.

 

Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes

I know this seems like a repeat of last week’s column, but calls are coming in and I wanted to make sure as many people as possible see this announcement!  The 2017 Spring series of Do Well, Be Well with Diabetes is rapidly approaching, and it is guaranteed to help those with diabetes to better manage the disease.  Pharmacists, nurses, and physical activity experts will all join me in presenting this 5-lesson series.

Topics include: “Getting started: How Food Affects Your Blood Glucose”; “Are You Eating the Right Number of Carbohydrates?  Let’s Find Out!”; “Beyond Diet: Improving Blood Glucose Control with Physical Activity”; “Improving Your Blood Glucose with Medication”; and “Celebrating Diabetes Control While Avoiding Complications – Having Your Cake and Eating it, Too!”

Two times are being offered to accommodate busy lives.  I’ll provide a 1:30 p.m. session, and a 6:00 p.m. session on Tuesdays and Thursdays, April 4, 6, 11, 13, and 18.  A small one-time fee of $25, payable at the first session, will cover materials, refreshments, supplementary materials, and door prizes.  Over that past several years, I’ve heard comments such as, “Doctors should write a prescription to all their patients with diabetes to attend this series!”, “I learned so much and feel that I can control my diabetes better than ever!” and many more positive comments.

Please call 903-885-3443 to sign up.  You’ll be glad you did!

 

Beans & Cornbread Drive Thru

Sounds intriguing, huh?  Come check it out!  A group of our Hopkins County 4-H members will be traveling to Montana this summer for an Exchange trip, and they need your help with expenses.  They will be providing a Beans and Cornbread supper where you don’t even have to leave your car.  Simply drive up, pay $5, and receive a box supper including beans, cornbread, and dessert.  We’ll even give you a napkin and spoon!

The date is Friday, March 24, at the Extension Office, 1200 W. Houston, from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m., or until it’s all gone!  Please support this worthwhile effort.

 

Closing Thought

A lie has speed, but truth has endurance – unknown

Johanna Hicks
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Family & Consumer Sciences
1200-B W. Houston
P.O.Box 518
Sulphur springs, TX 75483
903-885-3443 – phone
903-439-4909 – Fax
[email protected]

Author: Staff Reporter

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