Local News - October 2003

Series offers guidance for new parents

Published October 3, 2003

Teaching the teacher

By SARAH GRANO, Staff Writer

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For many people, becoming a new parent can be overwhelming and scary.

“We as a society do not do a good job of telling you what it’s really like,” said Dawn Wilson, a coordinator at Pathways. “It’s bad to have unrealistic expectations.”

Improving parenting skills throughout Lincoln County is the goal of a new series of Master Parenting classes.

“What we’re trying to do is help parents,” said Melinda Houser, a cooperative extension family consumer sciences agent.

“We’re trying to train the trainer, and hopefully these master parents can go out into the community, and do some sessions on topics like age level, self esteem and communication.”

People who are interested in being trained are invited to attend the workshops. Master parents can be natural parents, grandparents, relatives or child care workers.

“We want people who are interested in children, caring for children,” Houser said. “They don’t have to be a biological parent.”

Classes take place every Tuesday at 6 p.m. at Cedar Grove Lutheran Church in West Lincoln.

Those who take the master parenting classes will learn about children of all age groups.

The first class, which took place Tuesday night, focused on babies.

The classes will run through Nov. 4.

Throughout the first class participants told stories about their own experiences as mothers.

Both the trainers and those being trained asked questions and shared information about newborns.

“Contrary to popular wisdom, you can’t spoil a baby with love. Babies need love,” Wilson said.

Babies do not understand when they’re being disciplined. Ignoring them when they cry does not teach them to stop crying, she said.

“The truth is babies need attachment and bonding,” Wilson said.

“That does not come natural to everybody. That does not mean that it can’t be a learned behavior.”

It will be the new master parents jobs to help teach people the best ways to care for their babies.

The individuals who have been trained will be matched up with parents, children and groups in need.

“Wherever you live, you’d be amazed at what you can do,” Houser said. “Even just talking to new parents one on one could help.”

The program has been divided into five sections: babies, toddlers, small kids, big kids and teenagers.

People interested in becoming master parents who missed the first class can be caught up, Wilson said.

The program was put together by Coalition Against Child Abuse, Pathways and Cooperative Extension.

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Staff Writer Sarah Grano can be reached at 704-735-3031 or sgrano@ltnews.com

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

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