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PlainsWest CASA Introduces Parenting Classes

It is often said parenting is one of the hardest jobs you'll love.

The love is for the child or children you are raising. The difficulty is the next cliché: parenting is one job that comes with no job description.

When should you the parent be stern and when should you be gentle? Should you let your child freely explore life, or set boundaries? How do you set results for wrong decisions?

These are some of the questions parents are faced with when raising children, and among the topics to be addressed in the parenting classes offered by PlainsWest CASA.

“The goal of a parenting class is reflection and growth,” said Sarah Buccholz. Training Coordinator for PlainsWest CASA.

She said the process is for the parent as well as for the child. The goal is not to be a perfect parent, but a good enough parent, she added; good enough for your child. In addition, being a good parent may require repairing what you, the parent, ruptured.

PlainsWest CASA has five parenting programs on its agenda: Circle of Security, Love & Logic, 123 Magic, Common Sense Parenting and Big Little Feelings.

Circle of Security is different from other parenting programs in that the information is presented in a way that gives parents a clear map of your child's needs.

How the map is used is up to the parent; no techniques or “to-dos.” The program is not a list of how-tos, or step-by-step instructions.

The program talks about the parent's history as well as the child's needs. What are you the parent bringing to the table with your history growing up? Are there traumas there that affect how you parent?

Circle of Security Parenting allows the wisdom to parent with reflection and growth – to move beyond being reactive parents.

Circle of Security classes started Jan. 19. However, PlainsWest CASA is assembling a reservation list for the next class.

This Love & Logic presentation is a program designed for the professional, for those within the legal and child welfare systems. It teaches the use of humor, hope and empathy to build up the adult/child relationship.

The program also empathizes respect and dignity for both children and adults.

The program provides real limits in a loving way, teaches consequences and healthy decision-making and children learn the best lessons when they're given a task and allowed to make their own choices (and fail) when the cost of failure is still small.

Children's failures must be coupled with love and empathy from their parents and teachers.

The 123 Magic program shows a parent how to get back in charge of the home, and enjoy your children by helping parents set limits for children, and by breaking down the complex task of parenting into three straight forward steps: 1) controlling obnoxious behavior, 2) encouraging good behavior, 3) strengthening your relationships.

Common Sense Parenting is a group-based class for parents comprised of six weekly two-hour sessions led by a credentialed trainer who focuses on teaching practical skills to increase children's positive behavior, decrease negative behavior and model appropriate alternative behavior.

Each class is formatted to include a review of the prior session, instruction of the new skill, modeled examples, skill practice/feedback and a summary.

Big Little Feelings addresses the younger ages. Winning the Toddler Stage offers real-life tips for real-life toddler programs.

It is called “the only” course you need to thrive during the toddler years, ages 1 through 6. The course is broken down into bite-sized video content that parents can watch when and where it works. Learn simple, practical strategies and tools that are research-based, solutions-oriented and practical enough for everyday life.

For more information, contact Sarah Buccholz at PlainsWest CASA in Sidney.

 

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