Parent Programs

 

Parents and families in the 21st Century are pulled in directions previous generations could never have imagined, and they need support and community. A core belief in our parenting programs is that not only does it take a “village to raise a child,” but it takes a village to support a parent. Faith communities have a unique role to be a village of support for parents, providing both community and the guidance of faith as a primary compass in family life. 

The Parent Wellness Compass Book: Outfitting For The Journey is a beautiful colorful book full of thirty-two parent wellness reflections, four for each of the eight areas of wellness (Spirituality, Rest & Play, Handling Emotions, Healthy Relationships, Care for the Body, Stress Resilience, Organization, and School & Work), followed each time by a set of reflection questions for the parents to consider. This book can be used in a variety of ways; in an organized group discussion, by a couple or family that are raising a child together, or by a parent on their own.  

This book is not explicitly Christian; this is so that it can be used with a wide variety of parents and can be used as a reach out tool to the broader community. It does, however, focus on Spirituality as an essential component of wellness. Anyone who chooses to use this resource in a church, or other faith tradition, is encouraged to open with a prayer or scripture from their faith tradition and weave that into the discussion of how faith is a primary compass for parents and families.  

The Parent Wellness Circle Program is intended for a group of parents who desire a group for support and companionship as they work on increasing their family’s well-being.  In the program parents take an assessment that covers all eight areas of wellness, then over six weeks work on paying more attention to one of those areas. Each week there is a group discussion related to some truth healthy parenting, and group members share the progress or challenges they are experiencing as they strive to create greater wellness for themselves and their families. This program is not explicitly Christian, for two reasons. The first is so that each leaders can personalize the program with prayers and teachings from their own tradition and the second is so that the program can be offered as an outreach to the community, serving parents of all faith backgrounds.  It is highly recommended, but not required that the person facilitating this group attend a training. We also offer tutorials in the Training section of our website, and there is a thorough Facilitator Guide for this program.