Family Focus
Programs & Ideas | December 2020
Connect with a Home Visitor
This pandemic is making all of us feel more disconnected and isolated, which is not good for us or our kids. Our home visitors are available to connect with you (virtually, or outside if possible) to help you identify resources, set goals, and tackle the challenges you are facing. You do not have to manage these difficult times alone!

Here is what one parent had to say about our home visiting program:Having a home visitor was the best decision I could have made for me and my daughter. They are helpful and very kind. They look for the best in people and they are great with your kids. They care about you! I couldn't have found a better person to talk to and get help from than my home visitor.

There is no cost for Home Visiting. Learn more here, or contact Jo Ann by email or at (603) 422-8209.
Parenting Programs in January
Active Parenting
Tuesdays, 6-7:30 PM
Jan 12 - Feb 9
Active Parenting is a 5-week series for parents of kids ages 5-12. It will help you understand how brain development affects children’s behavior and decision-making, and you will expand your toolbox of strategies for:
  • Reducing power struggles
  • Gaining cooperation
  • Teaching responsibility
  • Building courage, character and self esteem
Positive Solutions
Wednesdays, 9:30-11 AM
Jan 13 - Feb 17
This 6-week series offers simple tools and clear solutions for parents of children ages 1-8. It will help you understand children's challenging behaviors and promote social and emotional skills. Sessions focus on:
  • Encouragement and praise
  • Rules, expectations and misbehaviors
  • Controlling anger and handling disappointment
  • Logical consequences
  • Problem behaviors and everyday routines
These groups meet virtually and are open to parents, grandparents and caregivers.
The Zoom app is required. The meeting link will be emailed before the first class.
Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions of the programs.
Food Resources Near You
For 200 years, Gather has been serving Seacoast residents who face hunger through innovative food programs and a pantry market. Learn more here or at info@gathernh.org or (603) 436-0641.
Screen Time in a Pandemic: The Kids (& You) Will Be Alright
Both adults and children are spending more time looking at screens, but experts are saying it’s going to be OK. What really creates problems is when screen time replaces activities like exercise, socializing, and sleep. Here are two simple tips to manage screen time in a healthy way:

  1. One media-free meal per day. Try to have at least one meal per day without screens. Screen time, even background television during meals, has been linked to eating junk food and increased weight in children. Conversations during mealtime can help to support a child’s social and emotional health and ease stress for the whole family.
  2. Two screen-free hours before bed. Setting screens aside for two hours before bedtime makes it easier to fall asleep and wake up on time. The “blue light” from TVs and other screens disrupts the natural sleep cycle. For younger children, save the screens for after naptime. For older kids, try keeping the phone out of the bedroom.

The Boston Children's Hospital's Center on Media and Child Health has a lot of great resources to help parents and children live and be well in a digital world, including the guide below.
Happy Holidays
All of us at Families First, Goodwin Community Health and Lilac City Pediatrics wish you and your family health and happiness during this holiday season. We cannot wait to see you in person again as soon as it is possible to do so!

If you need support, call our social work team:
  • Families First: Breanna, 603-422-8208 x3142
  • Goodwin: 603-749-2346 x2349 (Chris) or x2309 (Lauren).

Check out the Seacoast Area Firefighters Toy Bank in your community for help with gifts.