DAWSON COUNTY HEALTHY COMMUNITIES

Take Classes—Get DCC Credits!

Looking to learn more about parenting? It is not too late to join in a parenting class or a supportive meeting each week in the Glendive Library basement:

o Every Wednesday evening—ongoing parenting classes from 6:30-8:00 p.m. with open enrollment and college credits.

o 1^st Monday noon meetings for Kinship Care/Grandparents Raising Grandkids.

o 3^rd Monday noon for anyone parenting or foster-parenting a disabled/SED child.

o Last Monday each month at 10:30 am “Baby & Me” a special Newborn Nurturing program for newborns.

o Tuesdays after-story-hour program for Dads and Moms of newborns through preschool aged children with monthly crafts, parenting info, and a shared meal.

o Thursday and Saturday etc. coaching and parent strategic training sessions.

o Two Saturdays: Parenting Teens from 1-6 pm on January 26^th & May 10^th

Parenting Classes this January

Beginning January 16^th we will have Active Parenting Now in 3 (covers children 5-12) and then on February 6^th we will start the five session Love & Logic’s Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun for birth to six. March 12^th our seven Love & Logic Parenting for kids from 2-18 years begins. (April 23^rd AP1234 and May 14^th AP in 3 repeat.)

Do You Need to Host Us?

We have begun out reach parenting classes using the Active Parenting in 3 curricula. We have room for one more. Is it your organization?

Substance Abuse Free Families

Would it be worth your while to know ten steps to a substance abuse free family?

Substance Abuse Free Family Rule: “No use of illegal drugs by anyone in the family. Use of alcohol and tobacco only by those over the legal age.”

Active Parenting of Teens’ Ten Prevention Strategies: (1) Set a positive example—see family rule below. (2) Tell your teen about the risks—request our brain scans if you need a visual conversation piece. (3) Set clear guidelines. (4) Fight boredom with positive challenges—physical activity clubs, sports, Boys & Girls Club. (5) Consult with your teen about how to resist peer pressure—rights, courage and a good comeback line. (6) Monitor and supervise teen behavior—be at parties in your home or at your door when they come home. (7) Team up with other parents—add strength to your numbers too! (8) Identify and confront use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs—see below. (9) Be calm in crisis—but do take to ER if semiconscious. (10) Manage your own feelings—don’t go to anger or guilt, go to “resolve”, i.e. to do what you can.

Three conclusive signs of substance abuse are: (1) possession of drug-related paraphernalia, (2) possession of drugs or evidence of drugs such as seeds or leaves in pockets, and (3) odor of alcohol or other drugs, or cover-up scents. Four inconclusive signs are: (1) heavy identification with the drug culture, (2) signs of physical deterioration, (3) distinct downward turn in grades, (4) changes in behavior—chronic dishonesty; trouble with police; change in friends; evasiveness about new friends; large amounts of money; anger, irritability, hostility, secretiveness; reduced energy, motivation, self-discipline, self-esteem; less interest in extracurricular activities and hobbies.

Do not draw a conclusion on one or two, but look for an overall pattern of these. For more info call or email to come to Parenting Teens 1-26-08.