Helping new parents

Times Reporter   

 

Being a parent, whether it’s your first kid or your third is always tough. You need to get into a schedule and routine, you have a million questions and sometimes you just want someone to talk to that knows what you are going through. 

Strathmore’s Hand in Hand Parent Link Centre, a department of the Aspen Family and Community Network Society understands and is here to help. 

“We have supports for every family, every parent because parenting is not easy. Parent Links are pretty much the closest you will get to a parenting manual. We will help parents find supports regarding the parenting issues even if we don’t have them (the supports) here,” said Rhonda Rhys-Doering, senior parent coach at Parent Link. 

The goal for Parent Link is to connect families of children ages 0 to six with support and resources to a number of different organizations. There are also brochures and books that parents, or caregivers, can have the opportunity to go through. 

“We help parents with any parenting challenge, even with kids that are older than six,” said Rhys-Doering. 

There are a number of programs run at the centre, all of which are free. On an ongoing basis Baby Talk is offered, with a different theme each week. There are also drop-in play times, which are a great way for parents and caregivers to get out of the house and socialize. 

Some of the programs offered do require registration, like the Ready Set Grow! group, which offers a playtime, an activity, an art experience followed by circle time. 

“For preschoolers it’s a good way to have their first experiences with structured programs and following instructions because we are absolutely okay with them leaving the circle or getting used to following instructions and just focusing on play,” said Rhys-Doering. 

Parent Link is there to help every parent no matter his or her needs or financial situation. It’s for every single mom, dad or caregiver out there who would like to take part in the program.

“It is absolutely fantastic for networking with parents with kids of the same age. We have made a good group of little friends through here, there’s about four or five of us that hang out from here on a regular basis,” said Lindsay Crook.

“It is a fun and interactive morning out,” said Heather Marston.

“It’s nice to have somebody that understands, I think that’s a big thing,” said Kristina Mitchell. 

Having the opportunity to meet with other parents with kids close to the same age has been something all three of the women have enjoyed about attending Parent Link programs. 

Parent Link first officially came to Strathmore in 2008, based in the Country Lane Mall before moving to their current location 421 2nd Ave. Parent Link is not a babysitting facility, parents or caregivers must attend the programs with their child. Program times and information can be found on the Town of Strathmore website’s events calendar at www.strathmore.ca.