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A resource for families in Santa Cruz County
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It's a new year
and a new website!
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Nicole is back with a list of 10 Positive Parenting Techniques!
Nicole
is the mother of children, ages 16 and 19. She also manages Santa Cruz County's Triple P - Positive Parenting Program. To find a free Triple P parenting class or practitioner, scroll down or visit
http://triplep.first5scc.org.
Tell a Friend, especially one with a new baby, about our newsletter! Please forward our newsletter to them.
Until the new website is activated,
email us to be place on the weekly newsletter mailing list.
Have a wonderful weekend and a great 2020,
Parmalee
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Our
"Coming Soon"
page is up. It gives you a peek at our new look!
Your great photo of families, children, pets, etc. could be part of the new website!
1920px wide x 1080px high or larger!
Send to info @ santacruzparent.com with permission to use on the website.
Thank you!
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Choose One!
We can be "in control" by simplifying or "frazzled" with too much on our plates!
Choose one resolution.
Think it through. Is it one you can stick to and end up feeling good about it? Can you break it down to a smaller change, such as
eat one salad meal every day instead of
lose 20 pounds."
Between "engineering" before school, work, running a house and after school activities, have you overloaded yourself and the children with too many things to do and too many places to drive to?
Ask the children, "If you could
choose one enrichment class/sport
, what would it be?" How many trips a week are you comfortable with taking one or two children to classes or sports or music lessons or acting lessons? What's your breaking point? Remember, summer is a great time to sample a variety of the "extras." We have so many talented teachers offering wonderful , enriching classes. Perhaps pick one. Just like you, children need down time, even "nothing" time.
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Ask Nicole: January is Positive Parenting Awareness Month
By Nicole M. Young, MSW
Happy New Year! January is the 8th annual Positive Parenting Awareness Month in Santa Cruz County. Although parenting is a non-stop job that deserves recognition every day of the year, this month is an opportunity to reflect on what it means to be a positive parent.
What is positive parenting?
It’s an approach to raising children based on collective wisdom and evidence about the skills and support children need to become happy, healthy, confident, independent human beings. Positive parenting promotes children’s healthy development, builds their capacity to handle emotions and solve problems, and teaches skills they’ll need to
have healthy relationships at home, school and work. When children grow up in positive, loving, and safe environments with clear and consistent boundaries and limits, their brains are primed to learn in school, get along with others, and succeed as adults in future relationships and careers.
Positive parenting is not about being a perfect parent or raising a perfect child.
Neither of those things exist in real life. And positive parenting is not about finding a “one size fits all” solution for parenting. That also doesn’t exist.
What does exist are multiple parenting programs
in Santa Cruz County that provide families with information and support they need to raise happy, healthy children. One option is the Triple P – Positive Parenting Program, backed by over 30 years of international research. The
network of Triple P providers in our community has helped thousands of Santa Cruz County families over the past 10 years learn helpful and effective parenting tools.
This January, if you’re a parent or caregiver, give yourself a pat on the back (or other reward of your choice), then consider trying or recommitting to these positive parenting strategies:
1.
Spend
quality time
with your child or teen. Remember it can be brief, as long as it’s frequent. This provides reassurance that you’re available and responsive to their needs, which is the foundation of a positive relationship.
2.
Talk with your child
or teen
about things they’re interested in. Ask questions to keep the conversation going, and show interest in what they have to say. This strengthens relationships and builds communication skills.
3.
Show affection
in ways that are comfortable to you and your child or teen. Hugs, cuddles, kisses, a pat on the back, or sitting close to each other are ways to show you care.
4.
Give
descriptive praise
to acknowledge your child’s or teen’s efforts, behaviors, and accomplishments. Be specific and sincere so they know what they’ve done well, and they can trust that your words have meaning.
5.
Give positive attention
to your child or teen. A smile, wink, eye contact, or a “high five” are good ways to maintain a connection with them, without even saying a word.
6.
Have interesting,
engaging activities
for your child or teen to do. Get creative – use free items or activities that keep them busy (and out of trouble), learning, and growing. Give yourself bonus parenting points for doing the activities with them – it’s quality time!
7.
Set a good example.
Remember children often repeat what they see and hear adults do – for better or for worse. If you want to raise honest, kind, caring children, take extra care to show your children what it looks and sounds like to be honest, kind, and caring.
8.
Create
family rules
. Family rules work best when they are fair, specific, easy to understand and follow, and focus on what to do instead of what not to do. Involve your child or teen in setting the rules so they have a chance to tell you what they think is fair, and you have a chance to make sure they understand the rules.
9.
Have realistic expectations
of yourself and your children. Remember that it’s human nature to make mistakes, and each child learns and develops at different paces. Forgive yourself if you have a bad parenting day, then try again the next day.
10.
Take care of yourself
. It’s hard for many parents to prioritize taking care of their own needs when they feel they have to constantly be “on” and meet the needs of their kids, partner, boss, co-workers, friends, and family. Remember that self-care isn’t selfish, but is necessary to keep being a positive parent throughout the year.
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Running with Sherman, A Donkey with the Heart of a Hero
This is a book worth reading our loud with the family! It's a true story about the rescue of a mistreated donkey; it's full of tenderness, learning, laugh-out-loud scenes, determination, mischief, love, animals and their unique personalities interwoven with travel adventure and a growing family. Caution: the children may pester you to get a pet donkey... and a goat companion for the donkey!
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Free Triple P Seminars
Questions? Call
831-465-2217
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The Power of Positive Parenting
(for CalWORKs participants)
1/7, 1 – 3 pm, Aptos 465-2217
Balancing Work & Family
(for CalWORKs participants)
1/8, 1 – 3 pm, Aptos, 465-2217
Raising Confident, Competent Children
(for CalWORKs participants)
1/ 9, 1 – 3 pm, Aptos, 465-2217
8-Week Group: For families with children 2-12 years old
Thursdays, 1/9 – 2/27, 6 – 8 pm, Felton,
Details
Supporting Your Partner
(for CalWORKs participants)
1/10, 1 – 3 pm, Aptos, 465-2217
El poder de ser padres positivos
The Power of Positive Parenting,
Tues, 1/14, 5:30 – 7 pm. Santa Cruz,
Details
Teaching Children to do Chores,
Wednesday, 1/15, 5:30 – 7 pm, Santa Cruz,
Details
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Cómo criar hijos seguros y capaces
martes, 1/21, 5:30 – 7 pm, Santa Cruz,
Details
Raising Confident, Competent Children
Tuesday, 1/21, 5:30 – 7 pm, Santa Cruz,
Details
South County Open House - Community Bridges – La Manzana Community Resources
, 1/22, 2:30 – 4:30 pm, Watsonville,
Details
Family Literacy Fun Day,
1/25, 1:30 – 3:30 PM Santa Cruz Public Libraries, Downtown Branch, 224 Church St, Santa Cruz.
Cómo criar hijos resistentes,
martes, 1/28, 5:30 – 7 pm,
Details
Raising Resilient Children,
Tuesday, 1/28, 5:30 – 7 pm, Santa Cruz
, Details
Cómo hablar con adolescents sobre el uso de drogas
miércoles, 1/29, 6 – 7:30 pm, Watsonville,
Details
How to talk to teens about drug use,
Wednesday, 1/29, 6 – 7:30 pm, Watsonville,
Details
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