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Free courses being offered to assist parents

Sylvan Lake Parent Support & Resource Centre is here to help as the Centre will launch a number of free group programs this September.

Some say parenting is the hardest job in the world.

Thankfully the Sylvan Lake Parent Support & Resource Centre is here to help as the Centre will launch a number of free group programs this September.

Leanne Lyon, parent resource support worker at the Centre explained the programs aim to offer tips and strategies for parents to add to their ‘tool kits’.

“I think a lot of parents work full time, there are also people raising children on their own without the help of a spouse or family,” said Lyon during an interview with Sylvan Lake News. “It’s nice to have people to call or talk to about certain stages of development or a place to get various tips and strategies.”

While Lyon and the Centre have been offering one-on-one parenting sessions since as early as January 2015 this will be the first time they have offered group programming.

Parent support education sessions include Active Parenting 1, 2, 3, 4, Active Parenting Stepfamilies, Navigating Motherhood, and Newcomers to Sylvan Lake and Area.

Lyon explained Active Parenting 1, 2, 3, 4 will delve into the work done by Dr. Michael Popkin, a family and child therapist out of Atlanta.

“He describes active parenting as supporting the growth and development of children and providing them with ways to survive and thrive in a democratic society,” said Lyon. “But the key message there is protecting and preparing your children in a way that will allow them to survive and thrive in the real world while still being a good parent.”

Active Parenting Stepfamilies hopes to address concerns parents face when parenting in a blended family.

“When you are parenting in a step family it can be very difficult - if you are trying to parent children that aren’t yours by birth and there are other parents involved it can be very tricky,

“You need to understand what the boundaries are for yourself, the other parents involved, as well as for the child, and also what the expectations are for both yourself and for the parent you’re not living with.”

Navigating Motherhood is designed to support and guide mothers through daily challenges and concerns ranging from various topics such as postpartum depression and anxiety to relationships and self care.

Newcomers to Sylvan Lake and Area will offer a venue for those who have just moved to the town a chance to get to know the area while meeting other newcomers. Lyon hopes it will offer a venue for newcomers to share and learn together.

All sessions and programs are free of charge with child care offered and sponsored by the Parent Link Centre for children ages 0-5.

Start dates for the sessions are as follows:

Active Parenting: September 22Active Parenting Stepfamilies: September 23 Navigating Motherhood: September 17Newcomers to Sylvan Lake and Area: September 22

Register for the free courses by calling Kim Olsen & Leanne Lyon at 403 887 1137 ext. 226.

editor@sylvanlakenews.com