Although July has passed, we can’t let Purposeful Parenting Month go by without talking about it. Purposeful Parenting Month promotes strong, positive, functional families and preparing children to achieve the best life possible
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”
A few ways to promote strong/functional families is healthy communication, family values, and healthy environment.
Healthy communication between parents and youth can minimize the risk of mental disorder and substance misuse among youth. It is important to have regular open communication and to start these communications at a young age.
Family values provide a foundation for the family. Clear family values provide influence for decision making, guidance for raising children and protection from outside influences.
Healthy environments provide youth a safe place where they can experience love, trust, understanding and compassion.
Looking for parenting resources:
In Brunswick County, Coastal Horizons provides a Strengthening Families program which is a free 8-week program to the community. Strengthening Families is a program designed for children and their parent or caregiver to enhance parenting skills, build life skills in youth, and strengthening family bonds. Highly interactive sessions include learning games, small group sessions, family projects, discussions, and role-playing.
In New Hanover County, Coastal Horizons provides a Systematic Training for Effective Parenting (STEP) program which is a free 7-week program to the community. STEP lessons focus on understanding child behavior, positive learning, giving encouragement, exploring alternative parenting behaviors, expressing ideas and feeling. Parents engage in exercises and discussions of hypothetical parenting situations.
For more information please contact Erin Ditta at 910-202-0840 or [email protected]