Parent link teaches ‘better parenting’

Justin Seward
Times Reporter

The Strathmore Hand in Hand Parent Link Centre held a Teddy Bear Picnic on Nov. 20 in support of National Child Day.
The picnic was a part of the centre’s initiative to have parents and their kids come in and interact with one another to develop better parenting skills while their children play with toys.
Services for infants to six-year-olds include information and resources, free programming for children and their caregivers, networking opportunities and parent education.
“All programs are free, with the benefit of connecting to each other. (It’s) just giving people fun and it can make all the difference in life as to whether you have somebody to call to talk about a crisis situation or just daily challenges,” said Rhonda Rhys-Doering, senior parent coach.
The daily programs that are happening are all parented which means that parents and child are always together during the education session.
“The parents are right there with their kids learning even more about how to tell if their child is developing and they learn more about having fun with their children and other people’s children,” said Rhys-Doering. “We emphasize that each child is different and needs to be respected as far as their own growth rate and have a little help every now and again.”
Rhys-Doering wants to see the parents and kids come in with the mindset that they are going to learn about each other and have fun doing it, and that they will be assisted with the necessary support.
“They learn most of all, they are not alone in parenting. If we don’t have the support right here then we will help them find it,” said Rhys- Doering,
Parents can build on what they learn at the sessions; some of the concepts they can use are creating a safe, interesting environment, a positive learning environment, using assertive discipline, having realistic expectations and taking care of yourself as parent.
For more information, you can contact the Hand in Hand Parent Link Centre at 403-983-0076 or visit their office at 421- 2nd St. in Strathmore.