Family Focus
December 2019 Programs & News
TOP 5 Reasons to attend a family group or parenting class
  1. Parenting is the most important job you will ever have.
  2. Parenting is a lot more fun with the right tools.
  3. It feels good to know that you are not alone in your struggles.
  4. Your first reaction to a misbehavior is not always the most helpful response.
  5. Children continually change and present new challenges.

Our playgroups and parenting classes offer a welcoming and relaxed environment to learn more about yourself and your children. A moment of insight or inspiration can happen during a conversation with another parent about mealtime power struggles, or in a presentation about worry and anxiety in children. Parenting is hard work -- even harder if you are facing it alone. Learning together makes us more confident, optimistic, happy parents.

We have classes and programs in Portsmouth, Somersworth, Epping and Exeter and they are open to parents, grandparents, foster parents and caregivers. Call us at (603) 422-8209 if you want help finding the group that works best for you.
Upcoming Parenting Programs
with Megg Thompson
Tuesdays , Dec. 3 & 10 @ 6 pm
Portsmouth
Resilient Kids & Families
Thursday Dec. 5 @ 5:30 pm
Somersworth
Wednesday Dec. 11 @ 6 pm
Portsmouth
with Kate Kelleher from Big Brothers Big Sisters
Thursday, Dec. 12 @ 9:30 a.m.
Portsmouth
HALT!
Understanding the reasons for our children's challenging behaviors is the first step in deciding how to respond. When we see a child's behavior heading in a direction we don't like, it is helpful to HALT , and ask ourselves: is she H ungry, A ngry, L onely, T ired? Once we figure that out, we can step in to help and support our kids instead of reacting immediately with threats, bribes or punishments.

Megg Thompson, a certified behavior consultant, will be at Families First for the Toolbox for Challenging Behaviors series on December 3rd and 10th. Join us to learn the difference between strategies based in love and those based in fear. Megg will discuss ideas for disciplining our children in a way that supports a positive connection and strong relationship between parents and kids of all ages.
Gift-Giving Conversations
We are talking about the importance of family traditions and gratitude during the holiday season: Dec. 17 in Portsmouth & Dec. 19 in Somersworth . We will also enjoy gift-making with the kids! The questions below can get the gift-giving conversations going in your family. 
  • What's nice about gift-giving? What's hard about it?
  • What gifts you've received have been your favorites? What made them so special?
  • What's the best gift you ever gave someone? 
  • How would you feel if someone told you they didn't like a gift you gave them? How should you react if someone gives you a gift you don't especially like?
  • How can we make our gifts to friends and family special this year?
Literacy Tip of the Month
Books are one of the best gifts you can give to the children in your life! The number of books in a home is closely connected to the reading scores for the children in that home. So, when you see free books available -- in the grocery store or at your doctor's office -- take a moment to browse and choose a few to take home. Owning books is good for kids!
Parenting Journey is Coming Back to Somersworth
Parents and grandparents are invited to join us for the next session of Parenting Journey, which will begin on Thursday, January 9th at Goodwin Community Health in Somersworth, at 5:30 pm.

This series helps parents better understand how their own childhoods and past experiences are influencing their current attitudes and behaviors as parents, and how to use this information going forward in order to become the parents they want to be for their children. Parenting Journey is free and includes child care and dinner for children and adults! Register early because this is a "closed" group, and no new participants will be added once the program begins.

Questions? Call 422-8209 to learn more.
Foster Families Needed
Foster families needed! Learn more about foster care and how you can help children and families in your community. B irth parents, foster parents and staff from the Division of Children, Youth and Families are coming together to discuss placements and co-parenting in foster care.

December 5 from 5:30-7 pm
at Families First in Portsmouth

Please RSVP by November 26, 2019 to Lisa Belmonte at (603) 334-4371 or Lisa.Belmonte@dhhs.nh.gov.