By Crystal Thompson
The Family Partnership program of the District IV Human Resources Development Council in Havre will be hosting a Common Sense Parenting class beginning January 9.
The class is sponsored by Boystown International and will take place over an eight week time span. Trina Crawford and Terry Hanson of the Family Partnership program will be hosting the class, which will go over a proven step-by-step guide for raising responsible kids and building happy families.
Common Sense Parenting will be held in the Northern Montana Hospital Conference Room #3 from 6:30-8:30 p.m., beginning Tuesday, January 9 and running each Tuesday night for eight weeks.
Alou Horinek from the Family Partnership program said that the class is for all types of parents. "It's for any parent who wants to brush up on their parenting skills," Horinek said, "or for new parents."
The class emphasizes two things: the "head" and the "heart". The "head" being the use of logical and practical methods of teaching your children; using skills to change your children's behavior. The "heart" being unconditional love for your children. The class teaches how the head and the heart should be used in unison when raising children, and how one without the other will not work.
The class will focus on punishment vs. teaching, communicating clear messages, how to have consistent expectations for your children, correcting problem behavior, decision making, and the importance of family meetings. Members of the class will be taken step by step through a book covering the basics of practical parenting.
"This class will be a little different format than most of our classes have been," said Horinek.
Space for the class is limited to 10. Anyone interested in attending should preregister by contacting Trina, Alou or Terry at HRDC, 265-6743. There is no cost for the class, materials and snacks will be provided.
