EL PASO Let’s face it: being a parent is hard! And while parenting skills are learned, they are usually learned on the job. But there’s help. The “Parenting Along the Border” program was designed to give both mothers and fathers the tools they need to face the challenge with kindness, respect, dignity and confidence.
Virginia Alonso, Texas Cooperative Extension family and consumer sciences agent in El Paso County, and Dr. Steven Green, Extension child development specialist, organized the educational series around such topics as child development, communication, self-esteem, discipline, health, safety and nutrition. The program is a six-week series; parents meet once per week for about two hours.
“Parenting Along the Border” provides practical solutions as well as tips for improving communication, building positive relationships and other useful parenting skills.
“Parents need to set aside time on a regular basis to do something fun with their children,” Alonso said, in order to help the children feel special and appreciated.
Some tips for parents to remember:
– Be consistent regarding inappropriate behavior.
– Re-direct a child instead of reprimanding.
– Provide structure.
– Listen with more than your ears, listen with your heart.
– Use positive discipline. Focus on the efforts the child makes to comply.
– Give your child options.
– Praise your children. Notice the positive and comment on it.
– Be positive role models for children to look up to when making decisions.
– Keep the child’s developmental stage in mind.
– Communicate clearly in simple language and specific terms.
Although only in its second year, the program has proven to be popular.
“My calendar is full now,” Alonso said. “I started with four schools, and graduated a total of 181 parents. We are now offering the program in six new schools throughout the county.”
Feedback has been positive. “It has been great; she gives you tips and information that you didn’t really think about before,” said Alicia, a participant at Loma Verde Elementary. “This program helps you discipline your children in a more effective manner, it teaches you new ways of parenting. Life today seems to go at a faster pace than it did before, and knowing how to handle all the changes in your child’s life is a must.”
Further information is available from Alonso (915) 859-7725, or by e-mailVLAlonso@ag.tamu.edu.
-30-